In navigation, bearing refers to which of the following?

• A. Ship speed
• B. Direction from observer to a point, expressed from North
• C. Wind direction
• D. Ship course

Answer: (B)

Bearing is the angular direction from your position to a point, measured clockwise from north. This tells you where something lies relative to you, not how fast you’re moving or which way your ship is pointed. It’s typically given as a true bearing (from true north) or a magnetic bearing (from magnetic north). For example, a buoy directly northeast would have a bearing around 045 degrees true. This differs from the ship’s course (the direction you’re steering) and from wind direction (where the wind is coming from). So bearing is about the direction to a point from the observer, expressed from North.