heading - the direction in which the longitudinal axis of a craft is pointed, usually expressed in degrees from north (true, magnetic, or compass). Also, the instantaneous direction of a vessel’s bow. It is expressed as the angular direction relative to north, usually 000° at north, clockwise through 359°. Heading should not be confused with course. Heading is a constantly changing value as a vessel yaws back and forth across the course due to the effects of sea, wind, and steering error. Heading is expressed in degrees of either true, magnetic, or compass direction.

heading - the direction in which the longitudinal axis of a craft is pointed, usually expressed in degrees from north (true, magnetic, or compass). Also, the instantaneous direction of a vessel’s bow. It is expressed as the angular direction relative to north, usually 000° at north, clockwise through 359°. Heading should not be confused with course. Heading is a constantly changing value as a vessel yaws back and forth across the course due to the effects of sea, wind, and steering error. Heading is expressed in degrees of either true, magnetic, or compass direction.