General Navigation USCG Question #631 (Set 20)

Deviation which is maximum on intercardinal compass headings may be removed by the __________.

Official USCG Answer & Rule Citation

Correct Answer: Option C — soft iron spheres on the sides of the compass

Quadrantal deviation, which reaches maximum values on intercardinal headings (NE, SE, SW, NW), is corrected using soft iron spheres. These spheres compensate for the horizontal soft iron induced magnetism of the vessel, as detailed in Bowditch, Volume I, Chapter 6, regarding magnetic compass adjustment procedures.

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