Shipmagnetic compass is a compulsory part of the shipborne navigational equipment. This is in addition to the gyro compass & suitably placed repeaters on the ship. This is so primarily because of the reliable dependence one can place on the magnetic compass, as a standby compass in the event of failure of electrical power on board. The regulation also stipulates that the magnetic compass should be properly adjusted and a table or curve of deviations is available on board at all times.
