How does locating Flying Ferkins work ? Here’s a brief explanation of how distances are calculated over the ocean?
Longitude & Latitude
Measurements of longitude are like segments on an orange e.g their distances apart [between the degrees and minutes] are bigger at the equator and smaller as you get towards each pole. Latitude measurements are like slices across, parallel with the equator and are the same size North or South. Ok so far? Longitude and latitude measurements are measurements of differing distances.
So what’s the quickest route to Mauritius?
The shortest route has already been worked out by much more intelligent people than us [in 1924 actually] it is called ‘the great circle’ route holding south and then progressively coming up [fairly late on], to Mauritius. Unbelievable as it is, that’s the quickest route-look here if you’re seriously interested in how it looks or how it is worked out click here.
How do we work out boat positions?
This is how we work out the relative boat positions, for example to Southern Cross. There are 60 minutes in a degree [remember that geography lesson?] so you can work out how many minutes they are apart. For example this morning:Â
Flying Ferkins position was Latitude 26,26 Longitude 95,27.
Southern Cross Latitude 24,33, Longitude 95,30.
Distance apart is therefore Latitude: 1 degree & 53 minutes Longitude: 0 degree & 3 minutes. 113 minutes.
Remember earlier? Latitude is the same distance all the way down the earth [and conveniently one minute of latitude is one nm], so 113 minutes is 113 nm. Longitude is slightly different and we are assuming it is about 0.9 of a nautical mile in this area, so multiply the minutes by 0.9 to give the nm, so 3 degrees becomes 2.7 nm. This puts Flying Ferkins 2.7nm West of Southern Cross and 113 nm South.
I hope this has been useful and not too taxing! If you have any questions please leave them in the comments below, we’ll endeavour to get back to you directly.
Flying Ferkins Support Crew out.
