RADARRADAR

Main uses of radarMain uses of radar

Collision avoidance i.e. look-Collision avoidance i.e. look-out, plotting, finding course & out, plotting, finding course & speed, finding closest point of speed, finding closest point of approach, determining risk of approach, determining risk of collisioncollision

Navigation i.e. range, Navigation i.e. range, bearings, mixed fixesbearings, mixed fixes

Pilotage i.e. clearing linesPilotage i.e. clearing lines

Range rings

Ships head marker

BREAK DOWN OF A RADAR SCREEN

IRPCS & the use of radarIRPCS & the use of radar Rule 5 (Lookout), Rule 6 (Safe speed), Rule 5 (Lookout), Rule 6 (Safe speed), Rule 7 (Risk of collision), Rule 19 Rule 7 (Risk of collision), Rule 19 (conduct in restricted visability(conduct in restricted visability

Rule 7bRule 7b““Proper use shall be made of radar Proper use shall be made of radar equipment if fitted and operational, equipment if fitted and operational, including long range scanning to obtain including long range scanning to obtain early warning of risk of collision and early warning of risk of collision and radar plotting or equivalent systematic radar plotting or equivalent systematic observation of detected objects.”observation of detected objects.”

Rule 7cRule 7c““Assumptions shall not be made on the Assumptions shall not be made on the basis of scanty information, especially basis of scanty information, especially scanty radar information.”scanty radar information.”

SOLAS regulationsSOLAS regulations

Specifies that you must have a Specifies that you must have a radar reflector !radar reflector !

If your craft is over 15m in If your craft is over 15m in length then it must be a length then it must be a specific size.specific size.

Collision avoidanceCollision avoidance

Alter course as follows in collision situations depending on what sector the other craft appears.

This method of collision avoidance matches Rule 19 for radar users (conduct in restricted visability)

POSITIVE:

The virtue of head-up mode is that the picture corresponds to the view from the helm.

DRAWBACK:

When you alter course, the picture rotates. This can make it difficult to spot weak contacts.

Postives:

Picture corresponds to chart.

Postive:

Similar look to HU.

Good for collision avoidance but needs to be reset whenever you alter your course

PrinciplesPrinciples

RANGERANGE

Depends on height of scanner & Depends on height of scanner & targettarget

Effected by the horizonEffected by the horizon TARGETSTARGETS

Signal depends on size, material, Signal depends on size, material, aspect, texture, shape i.e. a port aspect, texture, shape i.e. a port marker will show up better than a marker will show up better than a starboard markerstarboard marker

Beware !Beware !

False echosFalse echos Side echos – i.e. when a boat Side echos – i.e. when a boat goes past you there can be a goes past you there can be a repeated appearance on screenrepeated appearance on screen

Shadows – i.e. blind spotsShadows – i.e. blind spots Interference – i.e. from Interference – i.e. from another radaranother radar

**ATTEND AN RYA RADAR COURSE **ATTEND AN RYA RADAR COURSE PRIOR TO USE !**PRIOR TO USE !**