Navigation General · Piloting & Bearings
A vessel takes three simultaneous bearings on charted objects. After plotting the three LOPs on the chart, they form a small triangle rather than meeting at a single point. What is this triangle called?
- AThe triangle of error
- BA cocked hat
- CThe danger triangle
- DBoth A and B are correct terms✓ Correct
Explanation
When three LOPs from simultaneous bearings do not meet at a single point, they form a small triangle known as both the 'triangle of error' and the 'cocked hat.' The navigator assumes the fix lies within or near the triangle. Both terms are accepted in navigation literature.
Authority: Bowditch (Pub. 9), Ch. 8
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