True North.

Captain Coco
Apr 10, 2020
2 min read

We are collectively across the globe navigating uncharted waters. In the distance, our destination is unforeseeable. When venturing in to the unknown, it is peril to know your most basic bearings. We are being forced to plot a new course when many of us may be feeling uncertain about which way is up or down at the moment. Sometimes all you can do is surrender, and go with the flow.

Do you remember your original direction? Was it serving you? Were you headed to where you have always wanted to go? Were you taking steps forward to follow your dreams? Take ease in trusting that your own inner compass will always guide you towards your true north. . . and now is a great time to recalibrate.

"...Surrender and go with the flow."

Thankfully we do have tangible practical tools to help with navigation at sea.

The compass is still known to be the most valuable navigational tool, even amongst most modern electronic devices. A compass needle will align with the Earth's magnetic field, opposed to our common understanding of the true north.

Geographically speaking, True North is also known as the Geographic North Pole, located in the centre of the Arctic Ocean. Meridians / Lines of Longitude converge together in opposition at the North and South Poles. The magnetic North Pole also known as the 'North Dip Pole' is a point on Ellesmere Island in Northern Canada where the Northern lines of magnetic attraction enter the Earth. Approximately 500 km distance from the true north. A difference known as magnetic inclination. This deviation is crucial when charting (especially if you are using old charts) because the magnetic North Pole continues to move every year. A phenomenon known as the Polar Shift Theory.

Other variables including tide, current, swell, true and apparent wind may all effect your course exponentially as well...

On Intrepid, the original compass had cracked, leaving it empty of alcohol and rendered useless. Alcohol is used because it does not freeze. With most projects on Intrepid, I try to salvage material and up cycle what I can before buying new. At first, I thought it was just in need of a new seal but unfortunately I wasn't able to save this one...