Marine Compass

Marine Compass

General Description：

Marine compass is a navigational instrument used to determine the direction of a vessel in relation to the Earth's magnetic field. It consists of a magnetized needle or a set of needles that are mounted on a pivot, allowing them to rotate freely and align with the magnetic field. The compass is typically housed in a protective case or housing, which is usually filled with a liquid to dampen the movement of the needle and reduce its susceptibility to vibrations and other external factors. The liquid may be alcohol or oil, and is often tinted to make it easier to read the compass card. The compass card is a circular card marked with directions, usually in degrees or points. It is mounted on the pivot and rotates with the needle, indicating the direction in which the vessel is heading. Marine compasses may also include additional features, such as illumination for use at night, compensators to correct for the deviation of the magnetic field caused by the vessel's metal components, and gyroscopic stabilization to improve accuracy and stability in rough seas.

Application of marine compass:

Determining Direction: The primary use of the marine compass is to determine the direction of a vessel in relation to the Earth's magnetic field. By observing the compass, the navigator can determine the heading of the vessel and make adjustments as needed to maintain course.

Navigation: The marine compass is used to set and maintain a course, navigate through channels, avoid hazards, and determine the position of the vessel.

Safety: A marine compass is an important safety device for navigation in conditions where electronic navigational aids may not be available, such as during power outages or equipment failure.

Weather Monitoring: By observing the direction in which the compass needle points, the navigator can determine changes in wind direction, which is crucial information for managing sail and engine power, as well as avoiding dangerous weather conditions.

Emergency Situations: In the event of an emergency, such as a fire or flooding, the marine compass can provide vital information for determining the safest course of action, such as abandoning ship or directing rescue efforts.

Overall, the marine compass is a reliable and essential tool for navigation and safety at sea. It is an important backup to modern electronic navigation aids and is still widely used by mariners today.

Properly use and care for a marine compass:

Proper use and care of a marine compass are essential for maintaining its accuracy and reliability. Here are some guidelines for using and caring for a marine compass:

Proper Mounting: The compass should be mounted in a location that is free from magnetic interference and where it can be easily read by the navigator. The compass should be mounted level, and the mounting bracket should be properly aligned with the vessel's centerline.

Calibration: The compass should be calibrated regularly, especially after any repairs or changes to the vessel's magnetic components. Calibration involves compensating for deviation and adjusting for variation and inclination based on the vessel's location.

Protection: The compass should be protected from physical damage, exposure to water, and extreme temperatures. The compass should be covered when not in use, and care should be taken when cleaning it to avoid scratching the glass or damaging the compass housing.

Avoid Interference: The compass should be kept away from electronic devices and sources of magnetic interference, such as power tools or engines.

Regular Inspection: The compass should be inspected regularly for signs of damage or wear, including cracks in the glass, misalignment of the compass housing, or loose mounting brackets.

Backup and Redundancy: It's a good idea to have a backup compass on board in case the primary compass fails. Electronic navigational aids should also be used as a backup to the compass.

Standard: IMO:A.382(X)；Chapter6， Part Five of Technical Regulation for the Statutory Survey of Inland Waterways Ships 2011 and its Amendments, of MSA, P. R. China；ISO14227：2001， Small craft-Magnetic compass

Categories: Marine Magnetic Compass, Marine fiber optic gyro compass, Electromagnetic Controlled Gyrocompass, The Spare Parts of Marine Compass, etc.

Automatic Fluid-filling and Bubble-removing Process：

① Forming bubbles during use compass

② Taking out the compass, directly turn the compass to the left or to the right along the vertical axis of the compass, bubbles will gradually pile up at the wall of the compass body

③ Continue to turn the compass body until the compass body is completely horizontally inverted and the bubbles are all into the automatic fluid-filling and bubble-removing device to perform the functions

④ Again turn the compass body slowly to the left or to the right along the compass vertical axis

⑤ In horizontal position, the process of fluid- filling and bubble-removing is successfully completed

Photo of marine compass: