General Navigation USCG Question #2318 (Set 71)

What does the Flinders bar on a magnetic compass compensates for?

Official USCG Answer & Rule Citation

Correct Answer: Option D — induced magnetism in vertical soft iron

The Flinders bar is a vertical soft iron bar placed on the binnacle to compensate for induced magnetism in the vessel's vertical soft iron. It specifically corrects for the vertical component of the ship's magnetic field that changes as the vessel moves to different magnetic latitudes.

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