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The nautical version of the compass is like a little magic lantern that always knows which way is north.
Thus, sailors can navigate across the ocean and reach their destinations without getting lost.
But how does the compass work? It is the first question that we have to be clear about before continuing.
⛵ How the nautical compass works:
There is something called an “earth magnet” that makes the compass work.
The earth magnet is like a large giant metal bar that is under the Earth and always points north.
The compass has a small magnet inside that always points towards the earth’s magnet, so it always knows which way is north.
Now, how do you use the compass? It’s very easy! And I’ll explain it to you quickly below.
How to use the maritime compass:
Take the compass out of its box and place it on a flat surface.
Make sure there is no metal near the compass, as this can throw it off.
So we can locate the cardinal points quickly:
- Look where the compass needle is pointing. That’s the northern direction!
- If you want to go west, simply turn the body of the compass until the needle points to the right.
- If you want to go east, turn the body of the compass until the needle points to the left.
- And to the south… you know, right?
Easy! This is the most basic about the cardinal points.
Now, there are some important things to remember when using the compass.
Tips when using any boat compass:
- First, make sure the compass is always level. If it is tilted to one side, it will not work properly.
- Second, make sure there is nothing metal near the compass, as this can interfere with its operation.
- And third, don’t rely too much on the compass. Sometimes it can fail, especially if you are in a place with a lot of metal nearby (and this usually happens in a ship).
️ Final conclusion: Rely on other maritime orientation tools
Therefore, it is always a good idea to have a map on hand and use the compass as an additional tool to help you find your way.
And that’s it!
Now you know how it works and how to use a boat compass.
Don’t forget to know the maritime orientation techniques to make sure you don’t get lost!