mariner's compass
Seafarer's direction finder
A mariner's compass is a magnetic compass designed for navigation at sea, typically mounted in a gimbal to remain level despite the ship's motion.
The compass card floats in liquid to dampen vibrations and is marked with cardinal directions and degrees.
Unlike a handheld compass, the mariner's compass stays fixed while the ship turns around it.
Nautical compass housing
- gimbalPivoted rotational support
- gyrocompassSpinning rotor direction finder
Arctic-facing cardinal direction
- southCardinal direction opposite north
- eastSunrise cardinal point
- westCardinal direction toward sunset
- northeastDirection between two poles
northwest · southeast · southwest · cardinal · intercardinal · bearing · azimuth · heading
Naturally magnetic mineral
- magnetic northCompass-indicated pole direction
- declinationAngular distance from equator
- polarityState of opposing forces
- deviationDeparture from expected path
variation · geomagnetism · magnetite · flux · magnetic field · isogonic
Navigation reference location
- dead reckoningPosition-tracking via estimated motion
- pilotingControlling a vehicle's course
- celestial navigationLocation-finding via astronomical observation
- course plottingPlanning a travel route
nautical chart · steering · bearing · coastal navigation · leeway · course correction
Vessel's steering mechanism
- starboardVessel's right-hand side
- portDocking place for ships
- bowRespectful forward inclination
- sternStrict or ship's aft
bridge · wheelhouse · helmsman · quartermaster · watch · sea voyage · ship · vessel
binnacle
Nautical compass housing
- gimbalPivoted rotational support
- gyrocompassSpinning rotor direction finder
north
Arctic-facing cardinal direction
- southCardinal direction opposite north
- eastSunrise cardinal point
- westCardinal direction toward sunset
northeast · northwest · southeast · southwest · cardinal · intercardinal · bearing · azimuth · heading · course
lodestone
Naturally magnetic mineral
- magnetic northCompass-indicated pole direction
- declinationAngular distance from equator
- polarityState of opposing forces
deviation · variation · geomagnetism · magnetite · flux · magnetic field · isogonic
waypoint
Navigation reference location
- dead reckoningPosition-tracking via estimated motion
- pilotingControlling a vehicle's course
- celestial navigationLocation-finding via astronomical observation
course plotting · nautical chart · steering · bearing · coastal navigation · leeway · course correction
helm
Vessel's steering mechanism
stern · bridge · wheelhouse · helmsman · quartermaster · watch · sea voyage · ship · vessel · sailing
mariner's compassGPS
Satellite-based location technology
celestial navigation · satellite navigation · sextant · astrolabe · dead reckoning
mariner, mariners, marine, marina, marinas, maritime, submarine, submarines, submariner