Hover or tap underlined Spanish terms to see their translation and exam tip.
Las observaciones de sextante con mala mar:Taking sextant sights in rough seas:
Show the answer
Correct answer: a) Should be done from the highest position possible on board.
Why it is correct
In rough seas with high waves, a low eye level causes nearby wave crests to block the true sea horizon and produce false horizons in wave troughs. Sights should therefore be taken from the highest practical position on board (and timed on wave crests), applying the dip correction for that height of eye.
Why the others are not
- b) From a low position nearby waves hide the real horizon and increase dip errors.
- c) Sitting lowers height of eye even further and prevents using your legs as shock absorbers.
- d) In ocean navigation sights still need to be taken in heavy weather with proper technique.
How to work it out in the exam
- Sextant sights in rough seas: observe from as high as possible to see the horizon clear of wave crests.
Where this question comes from
- Junta de Andalucía · 2021 · 1ª convocatoria · CY Módulo de navegación · question 7 Official paper · Official answer key
Pending instructor review. Machine translation, not reviewed.