Which instrument provides wind speed and wind direction in a single reading?

Master the Navigation, Seamanship, and Shiphandling (NSS) – Officer of the Deck (OOD) Phase 2 Exam with engaging flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Prepare comprehensively for your test!

Multiple Choice

Which instrument provides wind speed and wind direction in a single reading?

To get wind speed and wind direction in one reading, you need a single instrument that combines both sensing elements. The wind vane part points into the wind to show direction, while the anemometer part measures how fast the air is moving. When these are integrated into one device, you read both wind speed and direction from the same instrument—the aerovane. A barometer measures atmospheric pressure, a wind vane alone gives direction, and anemometer alone gives speed; only the aerovane provides both values together in one readout.

To get wind speed and wind direction in one reading, you need a single instrument that combines both sensing elements. The wind vane part points into the wind to show direction, while the anemometer part measures how fast the air is moving. When these are integrated into one device, you read both wind speed and direction from the same instrument—the aerovane. A barometer measures atmospheric pressure, a wind vane alone gives direction, and anemometer alone gives speed; only the aerovane provides both values together in one readout.

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