In a navigational context, what does 'bearing' refer to?

In a navigational context, 'bearing' refers to the direction to a specific object. When a mariner says the bearing to an object, they are indicating the angle between a reference direction (usually true north or magnetic north) and the line from the vessel to that object, measured in degrees. This allows navigators to determine the course to steer in order to reach that object.

Understanding the bearing is crucial for navigation as it helps in plotting a vessel's course on charts and in determining the vessel’s position relative to other landmarks or navigational aids. Bearings are typically expressed in degrees, with North being 0° or 360°, East being 90°, South being 180°, and West being 270°. Identifying a bearing correctly is essential for safe and effective navigation, particularly in situations where proximity to other vessels, hazards, and navigational aids must be managed.

Other options, such as distance, speed, and visibility range, refer to different navigational concepts that do not convey directional information. Distance measures how far an object is, speed indicates how fast the vessel is moving, and visibility range reflects how far an observer can see, none of which provide the directional intent captured by the term 'bearing'.