What does the term 'dead reckoning' refer to in navigation?

The term 'dead reckoning' in navigation refers to the process of estimating a boat's current position based on its speed and direction over a period of time. This method involves calculating where the vessel is, taking into account factors such as the distance traveled and the course steered.

By tracking these parameters, a navigator can determine an approximate location even when the vessel is out of sight of land or navigational aids. Dead reckoning is crucial for maintaining an awareness of position, especially when other forms of navigation are unavailable or impractical.

Other concepts, such as the method used for measuring depth or navigating by visual observations and buoys, play important roles in navigation, but they do not align with the definition of dead reckoning, which is fundamentally about position estimation based on course and speed.