Which bearing is measured clockwise from the center line of the ship or aircraft?

The correct answer is relative bearing. Relative bearing refers to the measurement of the angle between the center line of a ship or aircraft and an object or landmark, measured in degrees in a clockwise direction. This measurement is always in relation to the orientation of the vessel or aircraft itself, making it useful for navigational purposes when determining the direction to other vessels, land, or navigational aids.

Relative bearing is commonly used in naval and aerial navigation because it helps pilots and mariners understand how objects are situated with respect to their own course. For instance, if a ship's bow is pointing forward, a relative bearing of 90 degrees indicates that an object is directly to the right.

In contrast, other types of bearings, such as true bearing, magnetic bearing, and geographical bearing, are based on different reference points. True bearing is measured from true north, magnetic bearing takes into account magnetic north, and geographical bearing typically refers to positions based on latitude and longitude without the context of the observer’s orientation. Understanding these distinctions is essential for navigation and situational awareness in varying contexts.