Not sure I understand what you mean.

The compass is part of the individual pirate (not the boat or the cannon). Should point in relation to the individual pirates position. Top of the compass is always directly in front of the pirate, the bottom behind them. If im up on front cannon of a frigate it would probably be 30 degrees off the captains compass, as im technically pointing that much to either side of straight ahead. On side cannon, 180 degrees off the captains compass. I never really noticed the "N" for north on it before.. so maybe that part is off?

Basically the captain may see an enemy ship dead ahead on his compass, but a pirate on a side cannon would see the enemy ship to the side on his, as thats where its approaching from, from that pirates perspective. This is at least how I understand to have worked.

With the February 2009 changes to compass, when you are at a cannon it is broken: it is no longer relative to the 1st person view of your pirate, INSTEAD is relative to the direction of the ship...but when you get off the cannon, it returns (sometimes) to your first person view.

It is FURTHER broken, in that it isn't actually relative to the ship perfectly; instead, depending on which cannon you get on, it is rotated 30 or 180 degrees from what the ship's orientation would dictate. Moving your cannon does not affect the compass (as it should) anymore.

You don't have to leave port to test it out...just launch your ship then grab a cannon to look around.

Dont need to test, I believe ya.

I just didnt understand what you meant from your first description, thank you.

Usually being the sailor I had not noticed.

Excellent thread Edward!:pirate2do0:
The compass serves not only as a navigation instrument but as a radar screen for ranging targets to be attacked.

I have always sailed by compass...

Outstanding guide! Sure has helped me in battle! Thanks Edward!