Difference of Latitude

Purpose: To determine the Course.

: To determine the direction whether North or South.

Rule: The same name Subtract (-)

: Different name Add (+)

1. Lat.1 100 N From less North or South to Lat.1 100 S

Lat.2 200N (-) long North or South name the Lat.2 200S (-)
Dlat 100N Dlat. the same as Latitude 2. Dlat 100 S

2. Lat.1 200 N From long North or South to Lat.1 200 S

Lat.2 100 N (-) less North or South name the Lat.2 100 S (-)
Dlat 100 S Dlat. contrary to Lat.1 and Lat.2. Dlat. 100 S

3. Lat.1 100 N Label the Dlat the same as Lat.2. Lat.1 100 S
Lat.2 200 S (+) Lat.2 200 N (+)
Dlat 300 S Dlat 300 N

4. Lat.1 200 N Lat.1 200 S

Lat.2 100 S (+) Lat.2 100 N (+)
Dlat 300 S Dlat 300 N

Jupiter – is 11 times larger than the earth.

Saturn – is 9 times larger than the earth.
Venus – has the same size of the earth.

Earth – is Oblate spheroid

- divided into 360 degrees

1
 Finding Latitude 2

Rule: Different name Subtract (-)

: The same name Add (+)
: Name according to greater Latitude

1. Lat.1 200 N Lat.1 200 S

Dlat 300 S (-) Dlat 300 N (-)
Lat.2 100 S Lat.2 100 N

2. Lat.1 100 N Lat.1 100 S

Dlat 300 S (-) Dlat 300 N (-)
Lat.2 100 N Lat.2 200 N

3. Lat.1 200 N Lat.1 200 S

Dlat 100 S (-) Dlat 100 N (-)
Lat.2 100 N Lat.2 100 S

4. Lat.1 100 N Lat.1 100 S

Dlat 100N (+) Dlat 100 S (+)
Lat.2 200 N Lat.2 200 S

Example:

Given: T/Co. = 0600 T (0600 is NE)

Dlat = 100 N
Lat.1 = 200 N
Lat.2 =?

Lat.1 200 N
Dlat 100 N (+)
Lat.2 300 N 300N

200N

100N

00

2
Given: T/Co. = 1300 T (1300 is SE)
Dlat = 200
Lat.1 = 50 N
Lat.2=?

Lat.1 50 N
Dlat 200 S
Lat.2 150 S
200N

100N

0 0N

100 S

200S

Given: T/Co. = 3000 T (3000 is NW) Lat.1 200 S

Dlat = 400 NDlat 400N
Lat.1 = 200 S Lat.2 200 N
Lat.2 =?

200 N

100 N

00

100 S

200 S

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 Difference of Longitude
Longitude: Reference is from Meridian or Prime Meridian.
: In the Pacific Ocean Side “the center is 1800 Longitude.
: In the Atlantic Ocean Side “the center is 0000 Longitude.
Rule: The same Name Subtract (-)
: Different Name Add (+)

1. Long.1 100 E Long.1 100 W

Long.2 200 E (-) Long.2 200 W (-)
Dlong. 100 E Dlong.100 W

2. Long.1 200 E Long.1 200 W

Long.2 100 E (-) Long.2 100 W (-)
Dlong. 100 W Dlong.100 E

3. Long.1 100 E Long.1 100 W

Long.2 200 W (+) Long.2 200 E (+)
Dlong. 300 W Dlong.300 E

4. Long.1 200 E Long.1 200 W

Long.2 100 W (+) Long.2 100 E (+)
Dlong. 300 W Dlong.300 E

5. Long.1 200 E Long.1 200 W

Long.2 200 W (+) Long.2 200 E (+)
Dlong. 400 W Dlong.400 E

Finding Longitude 2

Rule: Different name Subtract (-)

: The same name Add (+)
: Name according to greater Longitude.
: It has the same principles in finding latitude 2.
1. Long.1 200 E Long.1 200 W 2. Long.1 100 E Long.1 100 W
DLong.300 W (-) Dlong.300 E (-) Dlong. 200 E (+) Dlong. 200 W (+)
Long.2 100 W Long.2 100 E Long.2 300 E Long.2 300 W

4
 Quadrant

4th Quadrant NW 1st Quadrant NE

- 360 as is

W E

3rd Quadrant SW 2nd Quadrant SE

+180 - 180

5
 Middle Latitude
Formula: Tan Course = Cos Middle latitude x Difference of Longitude
Difference of Latitude

Distance = Difference of Latitude

Cos Course

Second option or another way in solving Course and Distance in Mercator Sailing.

Format: Lat.1 = the same name (+)

Lat.2 = __________________ =/- Different name (-)
Dlat. =
= _______________2___/
Mlat. =

Example: 1

Lat.1 = 180 51’ N Long.1 = 0730 00’ E

Lat.2= 130 12’ N (-) Long.2 = 0540 00’ E (-)
Dlat. = 50 42’ S Dlong. = 0190 00’
________60’_ x 60’ x
Dlat. in’= 342’ Dlong. in’ = 1140’

Middle Latitude MLat:

Lat.1 = 180 51’ N Tan Course = Cos Mlat. X Dlong.

Lat.2= 130 12’ N (+) Dlat.
= 32006’ = Cos 16 03’ X 1140’
0

__________2_ / 342’
Mlat.= 16003’ Course = S 72.7 W (SW is 3rd Quadrant +180)
180 +
T/Course = 252.70 T

Distance = Dlat. / Cos Co.

= 342’ / Cos
Distance = 1147.7 nm.

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Example: 2

A vessel steam 1082 nm on course 3130T from Latitude 37018’ north, Longitude 024040’ west.
What is the latitude and longitude of arrival?

Given: Unknown:
Distance 1082 nm Latitude and Longitude of arrival.
True Course 3130T
Latitude 37018’ North
Longitude 024040’ West

Solution:

Distance = Dlat. / Cos Co. (Transposed) Lat.1 = 37018’N

Dlat. = Cos Co. x Dist. Dlat. = 12017.9’N(+)
= Cos 3130 x 1082 Lat.A = 49035.9’N ?
Dlat. = 737.9’ / 60’
Dlat. = 12017.9’

Tan Co. = Mlat. x Dlong.(Transposed) Lat.1 = 37018’N

[Link].2 = 49035.9’N (+) Lat.A = 49035.9’
Dlong. = Dlat. x Tan Co. = 86053.9’
Mlat. 2__ /
= 737.9’ x Tan 3130 Mlat. = 43 26.9’
0

43026.9’
Dlong. = 018012’44’’W Long.1 = 024040’ W
Dlong. = 018012’44’’
Long.A = 042052.7’

Example: 3

A vessel departed from Latitude 33045’N, Longitude 118030’W and steam 2,216 nm on course
2500T. What is the longitude of arrival?

Given: Unknown:
Latitude 33045’N Longitude of Arrival
Longitude 188030’W
Distance 2,216 nm
Course 2500T

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Solution:

Distance = Dlat. / Cos Co. (Transposed) Lat.1 = 33045’N

Dlat. = Cos Co. x Dist. Dlat. = 12037.9’S
= 2500 Cos x 2,216 Lat.A = 2107.1’N
Dlat. = 757.9’
_60_ /
Dlat. = 12037.9’S

Tan Co. = Mlat. x Dlong.(Transposed) Lat.1 = 33045’N

Dlat. Lat.A = 2107.1’N (+)
Dlong. = Dlat. x Tan Co. Mlat. = 54052.1’
Cos Mlat. ____2_ /
= 757.9’ x Tan 2500 0
Mlat. = 27 26.1
Cos 27026.1’
Dlong. = 2346.2’ Long.1 = 118030’W
__60__ / Dlong. = 03906.2’W (+)
Dlong. = 3906.2’W Long.A = 157036.2’W

Example: 4

A vessel at Latitude 38036’N, Longitude 011036’W heads for a destination Latitude 24016’N,
Longitude 071052’W. Find the true course and distance?

Given: Find:
Lat.1 38036’NLong.1 011036’W True Course =?
Lat.2 24016’N Long.2 071052’W Distance=?

Solution:

Lat.1 = 38036’N Lat.1 = 38036’N Long.1 = 011036’W

Lat.2= 24016’N(-) Lat.2= 24016’N(+) Long.2 = 071052’W (-)
Dlat. = 14020’S 62052’ Dlong. = 060016’W
________60’__ x _________2__ / ___________60’_ x
Dlat. in’ = 860’ Mlat. = 31026’ Dlong. In’ = 3616’

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Tan Course = Cos Mlat x Dlong.
Dlat.
= Cos 31026’ x 3616’
860’
Course = S 74.40 W
_1800____ (+)
True Course = 254.40 T

Distance =Dlat. / Cos Co.

860’ / Cos 74.40
Distance = 3197.9 nm

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 Mercator Sailing
Formula:

Tan Course = Difference of Longitude / Difference of Meridional Parts

Distance = Difference of Latitude / Cos Course

 Solve first the Dlat. and Dlong. Multiply it by 60 minutes to obtain minutes or nautical
miles.
 Solve for Meridional parts of each latitude.
 Add latitude 1 and latitude 2 if the same name, add also the meridional parts.
 Subtract latitude 1 and latitude 2 if they have different name, subtract also the
meridional parts to obtain difference of meridional parts.

Calculator function:

Scientific = Lat. / 2 + 45 = Tan log x 7915.7 – Sin Lat. X 23.02 =

S.V. Pam = Lat. / 2 + 45 = Tan = log = x 7915.7 = - Sin Lat. X 23.02 =

Label the Course according to Difference of Latitude and Difference of Longitude.

Example: 1

Dlat. = North
Dlong. = East
Course = 400
Course = N400E
True Course = 0400 T (NE is 1st Quadrant name the T/Co. as is)

Example: 2

The vessel departs from latitude 20025’N, longitude 150015’E to latitude 10037’N, longitude
170035’W. Find the True Course and Distance?

Given:
Lat.1 = 20025’N Long.1 =150015’E
Lat.2 = 10037’N Long.1 = 170035W

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Solution:

Lat.1 = 20025’N MP1 =1243.7 Long.1 = 150015’E

Lat.2 = 10037’N (-) MP2 = 636.4 (-) Long.1 = 170035W
Dlat. = 9048’S DMP = 607.3 Dlong. = 320050’W (If Dlong. is more than
________60’_ x ______3600 (-) 1800 Subtract 3600)
Dlat. in’= 588’ 039010’
________60’ x
Dlong. In’ = 2350’

To Determine Course: To Determine Distance:

Tan Co. = Dlong. / DMP Dist. = Dlat. / Cos Co.

= 2350’ / 607.3 588’ / Cos 75.5
Co. = S 75.5 E (SE is 2nd Quadrant -1800) Dist. = 2348.4 nm
1800 -
T/Co. = 104.40 T

Example: 2

At latitude 20025’N, longitude 150015’W a vessel departs going to latitude 10037’S, longitude
100000’E. Find the distance and course of the vessel?

Given: Find:

Latitude1 20025’N Longitude1 150015’W Distance and Course

Latitude2 10037’S Longitude2 100000’E

Solution:

Lat.1= 20025’N MP1 = 1243.7 Long.1= 150015’W

Lat.2= 10037’S (+) MP2 = 636.4 (+) Long.2= 100000’E (+)
Dlat. = 31002’ S DMP = 1880.1 Dlong. = 250015’E
60’ x 3600___ (-)
Dlat. in’= 1862’ = 109045’
60’_
Dlong. in’ = 6585’

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To Determine Course: To Determine Distance:

Tan Co. = Dlong. / DMP Distance = Dlat. / Cos Co.

= 6585’ / 1880.1 1862 / Cos 740
Co. = S 740 W (SW is 3rd Quadrant + 1800) Distance = 6755.2 nm
__1800 (+)
T/Co. = 2540 T

Example: 3

You received a distress call from a vessel in position at latitude 30 021’N, longitude 088034’W,
and your present position is latitude 24030’N, longitude 083000’W. Find the true course and
distance of the vessel in distress.

Note: Use own position as latitude 1 and longitude 1.

Given: Find:
Lat.1 = 24030’N 0
Long.1 = 083 00’W T/Course and Distance
Lat.2 = 30021’N Long.2 = 088034’W

Solution:
Lat.1 = 24030’N MP1 = 1507.4 Long.1 = 083000’W
Lat.2 = 30021’N (-) MP2 = 1901.0(-) Long.2 = 088034’W (-)
Dlat. = 5051’N DMP = 393.6 Dlong. = 005034’W
60’ x 60’ x
Dlat. in’= 351’ Dlong. in’= 334’

Tan Co. = Dlong. / DMP

= 334’ / 393.6
Co. = N 40.3 W (NW is 4th Quadrant – 3600)
3600 (-)
T/Course = 319.70 T

Distance = Dlat. / Cos Co.

= 351’ / Cos Co. 40.30
Distance = 460.2 nm

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Example: 4

A vessel steam 1,650 nautical miles on course 0770T from latitude 12047’N and longitude
045010E, what is the latitude and longitude of arrival?

Given:
Steam = 1,650 nm Latitude = 12047’N
T/Course = 0770T Longitude = 045010’E

Solution:

Distance = Dlat. / Cos Co. (Transposed)

Dlat. = Cos Co. x Distance
= 0770 Cos x 1,650 nm
Dlat. in’ = 371.2’
60’ (/) (to convert in Degrees)
0
Dlat. = 6 11.2’N

Lat.1 = 12047’N MP1 = 768.3

Dlat. = 6011.2’N (+) DMP = 383.7
Lat.A = 18058.2’N MP2 = 1152.0

Tan Co. = Dlong. / DMP (Transposed)

Dlong. = DMP x Tan Co.
= 383.7’ x Tan 0770
Dlong. in’ = 1661.9’
60’_ (/)
Dlong. = 027042’E

Long.1 = 045010’E
Dlong. = 027042’E
Long.A = 072052’E

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Example: 5

You depart latitude 40042’N, longitude 074001’W and steam 3,365.6 nm on course 1180T.
What is the longitude of arrival?

Given:
Latitude 40042’N Longitude 074001’W
Steam 3,365.6 nm T/Co. 1180T
Solution:
Distance = Dlat. / Cos Co. (Transposed)
Dlat. = Cos Co. x Distance
= Cos 1180 x 3365.6 nm
Dlat. in’ = 1580’
60’ (/)
0
Dlat. = 26 20.1’

Lat.1 = 40042’N MP1 = 2662.6

Dlat. = 26020.1’ S (-) DMP= 1797.3(-)
Lat.2 = 14021.9’ S MP2 = 865.3

Tan Co. = Dlong. / DMP (Transposed)

Dlong. = DMP x Tan Co.
= 1797.3 x Tan 1180
Dlong. in’ = 3380.2
60’ (/)
0
Dlong. = 056 20.2E

Long.1 = 074001’W
Dlong. = 056020.2E (-)
Long.A = 017040.8΄ W

Example: 6

A container ship in latitude 57000’N is steaming on course 3000T at 24 knots. What is her rate
of change of longitude per hour?

Given:
Latitude 570N Spd. = 24 kts.
T/Co. = 3000T (SW)
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Solution:
 Distance = Dlat. / Cos Co. (Transposed)
Dlat. = Cos Co. x Distance
= Cos 3000 x 24 nm (24 kts. = 24 nm.)
Dlat. = 00012’N

Lat.1 = 57000’N MP1 = 4163.3

Dlat. = 00012’N MP2 = 4185.3
Lat.2 = 57012’N DMP = 22.0

Tan Co. = Dlong. / DMP (Transposed)

Dlong. = DMP x Tan Co.
= 22 x Tan 3000
Dlong. = 38.1’

Example: 7

Your position at 1436 hours on March 22, 2020 is latitude 27018’S, longitude 053022’W (ZD +4).
At 1454 hours on March 23, 2020 you are in position latitude 31013’S, longitude 042032’W (ZD
+3). Determine your course and speed by Mercator sailing.

Given:
Lat.1 27018’S Long.1 053022’W
Lat.2 31013’S Long.2 042032’W

Solution:
Lat.1 = 27018’S MP1 = 1693.2 Long.1 = 053022’W
Lat.2 = 31013’S (-) MP2 = 1961.2 (-) Long.2= 042032’W(-)
Dlat. = 3055’S DMP = 268 Dlong. = 010050’E
60’ (x) 60’ (x)
Dlat. in’ = 235’ Dlong. in’ = 650’

Tan Co. = Dlong. / DMP

= 650’ / 268
Co. = S67.50E (SE is 2nd quadrant – 1800)
1800 (-)
T/Co. = 112.40T

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Distance = Dlat. / Cos Co.
 = 235’ / Cos 67.50
Distance = 616.5 nm

Speed = Distance / Time

= 616.5 / 23.3
Speed = 26.5 kts.

To get Steaming Time:

ZT = 1436 3/22
ZD= _4__+
GMT = 1836 3/22

ZT = 1454 3/23
ZD = _3__ +
GMT = 1754 3/23
2400 +
4154 hrs
GMT = 1836 -
ST = 2318 or 23.3 hrs

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Great Circle Sailing
Formula:

Distance: Cos GCD∠ = (Cos lat. 1 x Cos lat. 2 x Cos Dlo)+/- (Sin lat. 1 x Sin Lat. 2)
X 60 (to get the distance)
Note: Latitude of the same name (+) not crossing the equator.
Latitude of different name (-) crossing the equator.

Initial Course I/C: Sin I/C ∠= Cos lat. 2 x Sin Dlo / Sin GCD in degrees
I/C = Name according to latitude 1 and Dlo

Final Course F/C: Sin F/C∠= Cos lat. 1 x Sin Dlo / Sin GCD in degrees
F/C = Name contrary to latitude 2 and the same as Dlo

Latitude of Vertex: Cos lat. V = Cos lat. 1 x Sin I/C

lat. V = Name the same as latitude 1
lat. V = + behind
lat. V = - ahead

Longitude of Vertex: Sin Dlo V = Cos I/C / Sin lat. V

Dlo V = Name the same as Dlo
Dlo V = Always apply to longitude 1 to obtain
longitude of vertex.
Example: 1 Example: 2

Dlo V = 12o Long. 1 = 10o W

Dlo = W Dlong. V = 12oW
Dlo V = 12oW Long. V = 22oW

Example: 1

Determine the great circle distance and course from latitude 8 degrees and 36
minutes north, longitude 126 degrees 17 minutes east to latitude 20 degrees 12
minutes north and longitude 081 degrees 53 minutes west.
17
o
Given: lat. 1 = 8 36΄N lat. 2 = 20o12΄N
 long. 1 = 126o17΄E long. 2 = 081o53΄W

Solution:
long. 1 = 126o17΄E
long. 2 = 081o53΄W
= 208o10΄W (If the Dlo is more than 180o – 360o and name/label
360o - the same as longitude 1.)
o
Dlo = 151 50΄ E

Cos GCD∠ = (Cos lat. 1 x Cos lat. 2 x Cos Dlo)+/- (Sin lat. 1 x Sin Lat. 2)
= (Cos 8o36΄N x Cos 20o12΄N x Cos 151o50΄ E) + (Sin 8o36΄N x Sin 20o12΄N)
= -0.8180525 + 0.0516342
= -0.7664183 (Press shift Cos then press degrees to obtain GCD in degrees)
= 140o2΄
60 x (x 60 to obtain distance in nautical miles)
GCDistance = 8402 nautical miles

Sin I/C ∠= Cos lat. 2 x Sin Dlo / Sin GCD in degrees

= Cos 20o12΄N x Sin 151o50΄ E / Sin 140o2΄
= 0.6896707 (Press shift Sin)
I/C = N 43.6o E (NE is first quadrant) as is (Name according to latitude 1 and Dlo)
T/Co. = 043oT

Example: 2

The GCD from 38o17΄N, 123o16΄W to 35o01΄N, 142o21΄E, is 4330 nautical miles and I/Co.
300.9oT. Determine the latitude and longitude of vertex.

Given: Lat.1 38o17΄N Lat.2 35o01΄N I/Co = 300.9oT

Long.1 123o16΄W Long.2 142o21΄E Distance = 4330 n/m

18

Solution:
I/Co = 300.9oT (NW Fourth quadrant – 360)
360 (-)
I/Co = N59.1oW

Long.1 123o16΄W
Long.2 142o21΄E (+)
= 265o37΄
360 (-)
o
Dlo = 094 23΄W

Cos lat. V = Cos lat. 1 x Sin I/C

= Cos 38o17΄N x Sin 59o6΄
= 0.6735437
Lat. V = 47o39.5΄N (Name the same as latitude 1)

Sin Dlo V = Cos I/C / Sin lat. V

= Cos 59.1o / Sin 47o39.5΄
= 0.6947807
Dlo V = 44o00΄W (Name the same as Dlo)
Long.1 =123o16΄W (+)
Long. V = 167o16΄W

Example: 3

The vertex position is lat. 38o15΄S. Find longitude of vertex?

Given: lat. 38o15΄S long. 168o24΄E

T/Co = 068oT

060oT (First quadrant) as is. NE=90o

N is from dlat
E is from Dlo v

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Solution:

Long = 168o24΄E
Dlo v = 90o ΄E
Long v = 258o24 ΄E
360o (-)
o
Long v = 101 36΄W

Example: 4

From latitude 38oN, longitude 125oW, I/C 291oT. Find the vertex position.

Solution:

I/C = 291oT (fourth quadrant NW-360)

I/C = 291oT
- 360o
I/C∠ = N69oW

Cos lat. V = Cos lat. 1 x Sin I/C

= Cos 38o x Sin 69o
Lat v = 42o38΄9.67''N

Sin Dlo V = Cos I/C / Sin lat. V

= Cos 69o / Sin 42o38΄9.67''
Dlo v = 31o56'36.53''W
Long1 =125o W (+)
o
Long v = 156 56'36.53''

Example: 5

From latitude 38oN, longitude 122oW to latitude 24oS, longitude 151oE. find the great circle
distance.

20
Solution:

Long.1 = 122o W
Long.2 = 151o E (+)
Dlong. = 273o E
360o (-)
Dlong. = 087o W

Cos GCD∠ = (Cos lat. 1 x Cos lat. 2 x Cos Dlo)+/- (Sin lat. 1 x Sin Lat. 2)
= Cos 38o x Cos 24o x Cos 087o – Sin 38o x Sin 24o
= 0.0376757 – 0.2504120
= 0.2127363
= 102o16'57.9'' x 60
GCD = 6137 nautical miles

Example: 6

Find the distance and initial course by great circle from latitude 10 oN, longitude 100oW to
latitude 9oS longitude 100oE.

Solution:
Long.1 = 100o W
Long.2 = 100o W (+)
Dlong. = 200O E
= 360 (-)
Dlong. = 160o W

Cos GCD∠ = (Cos lat. 1 x Cos lat. 2 x Cos Dlo)+/- (Sin lat. 1 x Sin Lat. 2)
= Cos 10o x Cos 3o x Cos 160o - Sin 10o x Sin 3o
= -0.9241483 – 0.0090880
=- 0.9332364
= 158o56'42.1'' x 60
GCD = 9536.7 nautical miles

Sin I/C ∠= Cos lat. 2 x Sin Dlo / Sin GCD in degrees

= Cos 3o x Sin 160o / Sin 158o56'42.1''
= N 71.9 W (fourth quadrant - 360o)
= 360o (-)
T/Co = 288.1oT
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Example: 6

From latitude 11oS, longitude 125oE to latitude 8oN, longitude 079oW. The great circle distance
and true initial course is 9,368.8 nautical miles and 095o respectively. Find latitude and
longitude of vertex?
Given: Lat.1= 11o S Lat.2 = 8o N GCD = 9,368.8 nautical miles
Long.1= 125o E Long.2 = 079o W T/Co. = 095oT

Unknown: Latitude and Longitude of Vertex?

Solution:

I/Co. = 095oT (Second quadrant – 180o)

180o (-)
I/Co. = S085E

Cos lat. V = Cos lat. 1 x Sin I/C

= Cos 11o x Sin 085o
Lat. V = 12o4'13.05'' S

Sin Dlo V = Cos I/C / Sin lat. V

= Cos 085 / Sin 12o4'13.05''
Dlo V = 024o37.9' E
Long.1 = 125o E (+)
o
Long. V = 149 37.9' E

22
Parallel Sailing
Formula:

True Course = use the name of Dlo

Distance = Dist = Dlo x Cos lat.
 Dist = 21600 x Cos latitude circum navigation
= If the direction is going to east or east bound, the course = 090 oT
= If the direction is going to east or east bound, the course = 270 oT
= If steer north or south direction the distance run will be the same as Dlat.
= The distance of the equator is the same as constant dlo = 21,600 nautical miles
= In equator 1' is equivalent to 1 nautical mile.
= Speed of earth rotation is constant (SER) = 900 nm/hr
= Distance is the same as departure.

Example : 1