What Is Sextant on Cruise Ship?

By Robert Palmer

A sextant is a navigational tool used by sailors for centuries to measure the angle of the sun or other celestial bodies, such as stars or planets, relative to the horizon. This angle is then used to calculate a ship’s position or location on the globe. The sextant was invented in 1757 and has been an integral part of sailing ever since.

On cruise ships, a sextant is used as part of the navigational team who are responsible for charting and navigating the ship’s course. The team works to ensure that they are traveling in the right direction and at the right speed so that they arrive at their destination safely and on time.

To do this, they must accurately measure angles, distances and changes in direction. This is where the sextant comes into play.

The sextant consists of two mirrors, one fixed and one adjustable, which allows it to measure angles between 0° and 120° with precision accuracy. It also has an optical sight which helps to focus on celestial bodies in order to take measurements more accurately. It also has a bubble level which helps keep it stable during use.

The navigator uses the sextant in conjunction with other navigational instruments such as a compass, chronometer (a type of clock), almanac (a book containing information about astronomical events) and charts (maps) to determine their current position so that they can plot their course accurately. The navigator will then make any necessary adjustments before setting sail again.

It’s important for cruise ships to have reliable navigation systems onboard due to their size and speed; if something goes wrong it can be difficult for them to get back on track quickly without an accurate system in place. That’s why having a sextant onboard is essential; it provides reliable measurements even when other methods fail due to bad weather or poor visibility conditions out at sea.

Conclusion: In summary, What Is Sextant On Cruise Ship? A Sextant is an essential part of any modern cruise ship’s navigation system; it allows navigators aboard ships to accurately measure angles between 0° & 120° with precision accuracy so that they can navigate safely & efficiently from one destination to another.