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The simplest, and probably most accurate, bearings are those taken dead ahead with the steering compass. No auxiliary equipment or other person is required. If you are sure that you are in safe waters, you can momentarily swing a powerboat off course for a few seconds to take such a bearing. This procedure will not normally work on a sailboat where the mast blocks direct forward vision.

A grounded conductor or a lightning protective mast will generally attract direct lightning strokes that might otherwise fall within a cone-shaped space, the apex of which is the top of the conductor or mast and the base is a circle at the water's surface having a radius approximately equal to the conductor's height. Probability of protection is considered to be 99 percent within the 45-degree angle as shown in Figure 2-5.

a USPS member. The preferred location is at the starboard spreader of the mast, the most forward mast if there is more than one. If there is no mast, it is often flown from a radio antenna on the starboard side. On smaller boats that have a location for only one flag, it can be flown at the stern in lieu of the national or yacht ensign. It is displayed during the same hours as the national ensign.