HOMEWORK QUESTIONS

3.1, 3.2, 3.4

3.7, 3.8, 3.10
Relative Movement
2 ways to determine the movement
between two ships
1. Relative Plot
2. Vector Diagram/Speed Triangle
Definition of Vector
Diagram/Speed Triangle
Means for solving the relationship
between actual and relative
movement in order to determine:
*actual COURSE and SPEED of maneuvering
contact
*DRM and SRM of maneuvering contact
Speed Triangle
each line of the triangle represents is a
vector representing course and speed
COURSE = represents either actual direction or
relative direction of movement
SPEED = length of vector represents actual
speed or relative speed of movement
Speed Triangle plot labels
e - marks the center of the plot
stands for earth as the reference of actual
movement
all actual course and speed vectors are drawn
from e
er vector - represents actual course and
speed of reference ship
r stands for reference ship

rm vector - direction of relative
movement of m ship with respect to r
ship
direction indicated from r to m (rm) = DRM
length of rm vector represents relative speed
of m ship with respect to r ship = (SRM)
em vector - represents actual course and
speed of maneuvering ship
m stands for maneuvering ship

Speed Triangle
e
m
DRM
SRM
Reference ships
course and speed
Maneuvering ships
course and speed

r
m
Relationship between relative
plot and vector diagram
Direction of relative movement indicated by
both relative movement line (M1.M2)
and rm vector
THIS IS THE CONNECTING LINK
BETWEEN THE TWO DIAGRAMS
RELATIVE PLOT = indicates bearings and
distances
VECTOR DIAGRAM = indicates courses
and speeds
Similarities of relative plot vs.
speed triangle
Relative Plot:
true RANGE/BEARING measured from center
relative quantity not measured through center
direction of relative side (M1M2)
two true sides and one relative
Speed Triangle
true COURSE/SPEED measured from center
relative quantity not measured through center
direction of relative side (RM vector)
two true sides and one relative
Dissimilarities of relative plot vs.
speed triangle
Relative Plot:
labeled with CAPITAL LETTERS (R, M1)
TRUE RANGES/BEARINGS
length of relative movement line (MRM)
Speed Triangle
labeled with UNDERCASE letters (e, r, m)
ACTUAL COURSES/SPEEDS
length of RM vector (SRM)
Example of relative plot vs.
speed triangle
The reference ship is on course 060 T at a
speed of 18 knots. At 1600 the maneuvering
ship bears 140 T, range 7,000 yds from the
reference ship. At 1610 the maneuvering
ship bears 192 T, range 3,000 yds from the
reference ship.
FIND: (A) DRM, (B) MRM, (C) SRM, (4)
Course of maneuvering ship, (5) Speed of
maneuvering ship
Find DRM
Draw straight line from M1 to M2 and place
arrow to indicate direction
transfer line to center of plot and mark the
bearing on the azmiuth circle
Answer = 295 T
Transfer the relative movement line to the
er vector and draw the rm vector in the
same direction as the relative movement
line
Find MRM
Take dividers and measure the distance of
the relative movement line using (1:1) scale
Answer = 5,600 yds

Find SRM
Using the nomogram on the bottom of the
moboard, draw a straight line through the
MRM (5,600 yds) and time (10 min) to get
the third quantity of speed.
Answer = 17 kts
The SRM (17 kts) is the length of the rm
vector so measure off on scale with dividers
and lay amount off from r
POINT m IS NOW LOCATED
Find Course/Speed of
maneuvering ship
Draw a line from e to m to locate the
em vector. Direction of this vector is the
course of the maneuvering ship and the
length is the speed of the maneuvering ship.
Answer = 000 T at 16 kts
Homework
Do problems 4.1-4.5
Quiz on Wednesday - bearings, relative
plot, CPA (no speed triangle problems)
Review checklist of MoBoard work
habits pg. 4-8
Read Chapter 5 tracking problems