Magnetic Compass

A magnetic compass is an instrument that helps a ship’s navigator determine direction and measure the boat’s heading (the direction at which the vessel is pointing.) The compass contains a free-floating magnetic element that will align in a north-south direction, pointing towards the earth’s magnetic North Pole.

The magnetic North Pole is approximately 1,000 miles from the geographic North Pole however a skilled navigator will be able to determine true North by finding the magnetic North and then correcting for deviation and variation.