Position Lines

and
Position Fixing
 AIM

To introduce the position line concept and

its application in position fixing.
 OUTCOMES
 By the end of this session you should be
able to:

 Describe the types of position line

available to the marine navigator
 Define the criteria required to obtain a
position
 Recognise the limitations
 Position Line Definition

A position line is a line drawn on the

surface of the Earth along which the
position of the observing vessel will lie at
the time of observation.
 Types of Position Line
 Bearing
 Range
 Transit
 Astronomical
 Extreme Range
 Sounding Line
 Bearing
 Bearing of a charted object
Gribbin Head Daymark
Rame Head Chapel
 Bearing
 Bearing of a charted object
 Taken from a compass on board the
vessel
Hand Bearing Compass
 Bearing
 Bearing of a charted object
 Taken from a compass on board the
vessel
 All bearings are from seaward unless
specifically advised otherwise
 Only True bearings [ °(T) ] may be drawn
on the chart
 Compass bearing may require correction
 Range
 Radar is the only commonly available
range finding equipment
 Radar works on an echo principle
 Ranges will be from the leading edge of
the detected feature
 Inland ranges cannot normally be obtained
Range
 Transit
 Observation of charted landmarks when in
line with one another
Measured Distance Beacons
 Transit
 Observation of charted landmarks when in
line with one another
 No measurement required
 Can be used to ascertain the accuracy of
the ship's compass
 Astronomical
 Use of the Sun, Moon, Planets and Stars
to obtain a position line
 At any given time a single celestial body
will provide a single position line
 The sea horizon and the celestial body
must be visible
 Use a sextant to measure the angle
between horizon and celestial body
 Latitude is only obtained if the celestial
bofy is observed on the meridian
 Extreme Range
 The maximum range at which a light will
be visible
 Dependent upon the height of the
observer and height of the charted light
 Value obtained from tables
Extreme Range
 Electronic
 From GPS, Loran C, DF
 Position lines given in various forms
including:
 Latitude / Longitude readout

 Lattice lines on the chart

 DF transmitters plotted
Lattice Position Lines
 Sounding Line
 Use of a sounding contour to determine
distance off the coastline
 Position
 The point where position lines cross
indicates the vessel's position
 Two Position Lines

 If two PLs only are

used there is no
check on the validity
of the position

 If one of the PLs is in

error this will not be
known
 Three Position Lines
 Third PL confirms the
validity of the other
two

 When possible
ALWAYS use three
PLs
 'Cocked Hat'
 Sometimes the PLs
do not cross at the
same point

 The resultant triangle

is known as a
'cocked hat'
 'Cocked Hat'
 If the cocked hat is small:

 If a navigation hazard is
near assume you are in
the most dangerous
position within the cocked
hat

 In open water assume the

middle of the cocked hat
 'Cocked Hat'
 If the cocked hat is large:

 Check that observed

data has been plotted
correctly

 If no error is detected,
discard, observe and plot
another data set
immediately
 Angle of Cut (AoC)

 AoC is the angle

between two PLs

 If possible AoCs in a
fix should be nearly
equal (as shown)

 If not equal then

AoC > 30°
 Two Position Lines

 If two PLs only are

available the AoC
should be as broad as
possible

 Ideally as close to 90°

as possible
 Two Position Lines
 With an AoC <30° a
small error in one PL
will cause a major
error in the accuracy
of the position

 In this case:
 Good latitude

 Poor Longitude
 PL Sources
 For a given position the PLs may come several
sources, i.e. visual bearings and radar ranges

 Fundamental Rule:
NEVER rely on one source for a prolonged
period

 Cross checking of data is essential, i.e. check a

GPS position with radar observations
 On the Chart
 Correct annotation is
required

 Position lines
indicated with arrow
heads
 On the Chart
 Position indicated by
dot in the cocked hat

 Position is circled

 Accompanied by:
 Time

 Log reading (when

possible)
 Use of Position Lines
 Minimum number PLs :3
 Minimum AoC : >30°
 In 'cocked hat' assume most dangerous
position
 Pls may come from more than one source
 NEVER rely on just one source