Which feature overlays a nautical chart to plot your position when using LORAN-C?

• A. Depth Contours
• B. LORAN Curves
• C. Latitude Lines
• D. Longitude Lines

Answer: (B)

LORAN-C navigation determines your position by comparing the travel times of a master signal and a secondary signal. That time difference translates into a constant difference in distance from two transmitters, which forms a hyperbolic curve on a nautical chart. These curves are specifically called LORAN curves. By overlaying these LORAN curves on the chart and plotting the intersection of curves from different transmitter pairs, you locate your position. Other chart features like depth contours or latitude/longitude lines exist on charts but aren’t the overlays used to plot a LORAN-C position.