What information does GPS provide for nautical navigation?

What information does GPS provide for nautical navigation?

• A. Weather forecasts and tide tables.
• B. Precise position, course, and speed data to determine the vessel’s track.
• C. Depth readings and current speed.
• D. Magnetic variation values only.

Answer: (B)

GPS provides precise position, course over ground, and speed over ground, which lets you determine the vessel’s track. The position is your exact location on the globe (latitude and longitude) updated continuously as you move. Course over ground is the direction you’re actually traveling over the Earth's surface, which helps you see where you’re headed and how drift from wind or current affects your route. Speed over ground is how fast you’re moving relative to the ground, useful for estimating arrival times and planning fuel use. When you combine successive position fixes with their timestamps, you can plot the path you’ve followed and compute your track. Other items listed aren’t provided by GPS. Weather forecasts and tide tables come from meteorological and oceanographic sources, not the GPS. Depth readings come from depth-sounding equipment, not the GPS. Magnetic variation values are used to convert between true and magnetic headings and aren’t something GPS supplies.

GPS provides precise position, course over ground, and speed over ground, which lets you determine the vessel’s track. The position is your exact location on the globe (latitude and longitude) updated continuously as you move. Course over ground is the direction you’re actually traveling over the Earth's surface, which helps you see where you’re headed and how drift from wind or current affects your route. Speed over ground is how fast you’re moving relative to the ground, useful for estimating arrival times and planning fuel use. When you combine successive position fixes with their timestamps, you can plot the path you’ve followed and compute your track.

Other items listed aren’t provided by GPS. Weather forecasts and tide tables come from meteorological and oceanographic sources, not the GPS. Depth readings come from depth-sounding equipment, not the GPS. Magnetic variation values are used to convert between true and magnetic headings and aren’t something GPS supplies.