Magnetic North Meaning in Sailing

Magnetic North represents the direction a compass needle points, which is toward the Earth’s magnetic pole rather than the geographic North Pole. Because the magnetic pole moves and is not aligned with the true axis of the Earth, sailors must account for ‘variation’ or ‘declination’ in their calculations. One clear example involves a navigator adjusting their compass heading by five degrees West to find their ‘True’ heading on a chart. Failure to account for the difference between Magnetic and True North can lead to significant navigation errors over long distances. Most nautical charts include a ‘compass rose’ that tells the sailor the local magnetic variation. It is the primary reference for all traditional steering and pilotage.