Which term is defined as the intended direction of travel?

• A. Variation
• B. Bearing
• C. Course
• D. Deviation

Answer: (C)

Intended direction of travel is the course you plan to steer along. In navigation, the course is the path you intend to follow over the water, the direction you aim to keep on your compass to stay on that route. Bearing, on the other hand, is the direction from your current position to a specific point or waypoint, which can differ from your course if currents or wind push you off course. Variation is the difference between true north and magnetic north, a broad magnetic factor used to adjust compass readings, while deviation is the local magnetic interference inside the boat that can skew readings. Since the question describes the plan for where you want to go, the term that best fits is course.