Questions Answered

Note: see below for the full-size plot we did in determining the fix.

Note: this page still in progress

Other navigation students have done this problem. One solution is found in the navigation list archives.

Here are the questions which were asked in Silicon Sea, Leg 57:

1) What is the DR position at the time of the first sight?
2) What is the FIX position?
3) What was the Speed Made Good(SMG) between fixes?
4) What is the Zone Time(ZT) and Date Expected Time of Arrival(ETA) to abeam of Cape Horn?
5) What is the distance to Cape Horn from our FIX?
6) What is the Compass Course(CC)/Course-to-Steer for Cape Horn?
7)After sighting a dark low gray non-descript island abeam, Cape Horn. We break out a bottle of Champagne and celebrate.
We set a course for a waypoint at(55d 30.0'S 63d.00.0'W). At which time we must decide to either turn north up the South Atlantic Ocean west of the Falkland Islands or go around outside to the east of them. The weather will make our choice at the time. Speed 10.3 Kts, Var 14dE, Dev 2.0dW, Current Set 45d, Drift 0.8 Kts/day.
What is the TC and distance to the decision waypoint?
8) What is the Compass course(CC)/Course-to-Steer to the waypoint?

The chart:

This was answered in Step 1. My answer was lat = 53°38.4S lon = 74°44.6W.

Ignoring the Moon, we get approximately 54°2' south, 74°45' west.