The Visual Bearing

After sailing along the route, a compass bearing of 295 degrees magnetic to the red bell buoy off Belfast Harbor is taken. Plotting it shows that the distance back to the green gong is about .65 nautical miles. If time of departure is recorded as well as the time of the bearing, speed can be calculated. This single line of position produces a running fix. If another bearing were taken at the same time as the 295 bearing, an accurate position could be established.