Define a fix.

Define a fix.

• A. The Point Where Two or More Lines of Position Intersect
• B. The Distance to Land
• C. The Vessel's Speed
• D. The Vessel's Heading

Answer: (A)

A fix is the vessel’s position determined by the intersection of two or more lines of position. Each line of position comes from a measurement that tells you where you could be along a specific line on the chart—for example, a bearing to a known landmark, a measured distance to a navigational aid, or a celestial sight. When you plot at least two independent lines of position, their crossing point pinpoints the actual location—the fix. Distance to land alone doesn’t give a single location; it defines a circle around the land if you only know how far you are. The vessel’s speed and heading describe motion, not current position, so they don’t pinpoint where you are on the chart by themselves.

A fix is the vessel’s position determined by the intersection of two or more lines of position. Each line of position comes from a measurement that tells you where you could be along a specific line on the chart—for example, a bearing to a known landmark, a measured distance to a navigational aid, or a celestial sight. When you plot at least two independent lines of position, their crossing point pinpoints the actual location—the fix.

Distance to land alone doesn’t give a single location; it defines a circle around the land if you only know how far you are. The vessel’s speed and heading describe motion, not current position, so they don’t pinpoint where you are on the chart by themselves.