A Range is a straight LOP, while a visual bearing is a curved LOP. This statement is

A Range is a straight LOP, while a visual bearing is a curved LOP. This statement is

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. Cannot determine

Answer: (B)

LOP stands for line of position, the path you lie on as you plot your location. A range is formed when two fixed objects line up with your vessel; the line that goes through those two objects on the chart is a straight line, and you are somewhere along that straight range line. A visual bearing to a single object gives you another LOP: you plot a line through that fixed object in the direction dictated by the measured bearing (or the reciprocal bearing from the object). That result is also a straight line on the chart, because it’s defined by a single direction from a fixed point. Curved LOPs don’t come into play for these plotting methods on standard coastal charts. Therefore the statement is not correct.

LOP stands for line of position, the path you lie on as you plot your location. A range is formed when two fixed objects line up with your vessel; the line that goes through those two objects on the chart is a straight line, and you are somewhere along that straight range line. A visual bearing to a single object gives you another LOP: you plot a line through that fixed object in the direction dictated by the measured bearing (or the reciprocal bearing from the object). That result is also a straight line on the chart, because it’s defined by a single direction from a fixed point. Curved LOPs don’t come into play for these plotting methods on standard coastal charts. Therefore the statement is not correct.