Navigation General · Compass Error

Variation is 8° E and deviation is 3° W. The total compass error is:

Explanation

Compass error = 8°E + (−3°W) = 8 − 3 = 5°E. Since variation (8°E) is larger, the combined error is named East: 5°E.

Authority: Bowditch (Pub. 9)

Practice the full Navigation General bank

Free spaced-repetition quizzing across 2190 USCG exam questions — it schedules your reviews so the ones you miss come back until they stick.

Related Navigation General questions