Module 16 - Pilotage
Clearing Bearings
A clearing bearing is a compass bearing of a charted object that defines a safe boundary. For example: 'Maintain the lighthouse bearing no less than 045°T' keeps you clear of a specific danger.
You set clearing bearings in advance by examining the chart for hazards, drawing a line that just clears the danger, measuring the bearing of a suitable landmark along that line, and noting whether to keep the bearing 'not less than' or 'not more than' the value.
Key points
- Clearing bearing = compass bearing that defines a safe boundary
- Used to keep clear of specific charted dangers
- Note: 'not less than' or 'not more than' the bearing value
- Set up in advance from the chart
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