We are AMSA Licensed Marine Compass Adjusters located in Sydney and Cairns Australia. We service Sydney & environs, Cairns, Port Douglas, Mission Beach and other ports in Far North Queensland as well as Thursday Island and PNG.
Chris Felan is one of the Founding Members of The Australian Compass Adjusters Association. The Association is the peak professional body for Marine Compass Adjusters in Australia.
The value of the magnetic compass is that it is independent of all electronic navigational devices in a seagoing vessel. If a vessel's magnetic compass is not corrected when necessary it is of little use as a navigational aid, like a clock that no longer tells the right time.
It is the responsibility of the ship's Master to ensure that the magnetic compass deviation is checked and corrected when the relevant circumstances apply.
Today, setting and maintaining a heading for seagoing vessels is almost always managed by way of digital electronic devices and long may that continue.
So, what is the role today of the marine magnetic compass and why should it be maintained in a serviceable condition as part of a vessel's navigational assets?
In many circumstances it is a legal and insurance specified requirement. In other circumstances it is regarded as an important safe and responsible maritime practice. It is generally considered that a vessel's magnetic compass should be corrected when these situations apply:
We look forward to being of assistance.
Phone from outside Australia: +61 7 458 427 394
Phone from within Australia: 0458 427 394
By contact form: