Chart Navigation & Plotting · Compass & Course
A vessel's heading is the direction:
- AIn which the vessel's bow is pointing at a given moment✓ Correct
- BMade good over the ground
- COf the current
- DToward the destination
Explanation
Heading is where the bow points at an instant; it yaws either side of the course steered. Course is the intended direction; track is the path actually made good over the ground. These are distinct and easily confused.
Authority: Bowditch, Pub. No. 9 (definitions)
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