RADAR (Radio Detection And Ranging)

• Marine Radar Legal Requirements

SOLAS Chapter 5, Regulation 19 states that

• “All ships of 3000 gross tonnages and above shall,
have a 3 GHz radar
• or if Administration considers appropriate to have
a second 9 GHz radar,
• or other means to determine and display the range
and bearing of other surface craft, obstructions,
buoys, shorelines and navigational marks to assist
in navigation and in collision avoidance
• Marine Radar Requirements
The marine radar is classified under the x-band (10 GHz) or S-
band (3GHz) frequencies.

The x-band, being of higher frequency is used for a sharper

image and better resolution

S-band is used especially when in rain or fog as well as for

identification and tracking.

Tracking ship devices are compulsory as per COLREGS

(International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea).
 Uses of Marine Radar
• The marine radar is an equipment used by the OOW in
carrying out a safe navigational watch.

• This is a mandatory aid to navigation

• It is used to identify, track and positioning of vessels

• With the help of ship radar, accidents can be prevented by

using different functions like CPA, TCPA, EBL, VRM etc).
USES OF MARINE RADAR

Determination of the weather

UseUses
by VTS
of
in controlling coastal traffic
Marine
Using parallel indexing to ensure safe navigation
Radar
Reducing workload of the OOW on bridge
Radar is used in blind pilotage
 Marine Radar Controls and its Functions

Proper use of radar can help prevent collisions and ensure safety
of the ship.
Accidents can occur if the OOW does not have full knowledge the
operation of navigational equipment.
Marine Radar Controls and its Functions

• Power/standby/transmit.
• Resolution
• Radar Sensitivity
• Range Scale
• Gain.
• Anti sea clutter control (stc)
• Anti rain clutter control
(FTC)
• Brilliance.
• Heading marker.
• Tuning.
Marine Radar Controls and its Functions
Marine Radar Controls and its Functions
Marine Radar Controls and its Functions
Marine Radar Controls and its Functions
Marine Radar Controls and its Functions
Marine Radar Controls and its Functions
Marine Radar Controls and its Functions
Radar Resolution

◦ Bearing Resolution
◦ Range Resolution

 Radar resolution is the ability of the radar to show two targets

which are close to each other as separate targets on radar.

There are two types of radar resolution. Range resolution and

bearing resolution

 As the name suggests, better bearing resolution means radar

can show two near targets on same bearing as separate ones.
• Bearing resolution
depends upon Horizontal
beam width of the radio
wave.
Same way, better range resolution means radar can
show two close targets (on different bearing) as
separate ones. Range resolution depends upon pulse
length
Marine Radar Controls and its Functions
Marine Radar Controls and its Functions
Radar Sensitivity

Sensitivity of radar is how thick a radar plots the

targets.

A better sensitivity means a radar can paint/show

even a fishing boat as slightly bigger target.

Less sensitivity means there are chances of a

fishing boat missing on the radar screen.
 CHOICE OF RANGE SCALE

 Appropriate range scales should be used

When two radars are used, one radar can be kept on a longer-range scale to
obtain advance warning of other vessels, changes in traffic density, or
coastline.

The other radar can use a short-range scale, which helps to detect smaller
and close targets easily.
Use the RANGE key in the keyboard to select the range desired. The ‘+’ key
increases the range whereas the ‘-’ key decreases the range.
The range scale shown in the picture below is 6 miles and each
fixed range ring is pre-determined at an interval of 1 mile.
RANGE MEASUREMENT:

Measurement of range to a target can be achieved either by

the fixed range rings or the Variable Range Marker (VRM)

The fixed range rings appear on the screen with a pre-

determined interval depending upon the range scale in use
and provide a rough estimate of the range to a target.

Count the number of rings between the center of the display

and the target to measure the range to a target.
RANGE MEASUREMENT

The Variable Range Marker’s diameter can be increased or decreased so

that the marker touches the inner edge of the echo of the target thus giving
more accurate range measurements.

There are two sets of VRMs available, and they appear as dashed rings.
Press the VRM ON key to display either of the VRMs.
 BEARING MEASUREMENT

(EBL) Electronic Bearing Lines

is used to take the bearing of
targets.

The EBL extends from the own

ship position to the
circumference of the radar
screen.

If bearing remains constant with

decreasing range, the risk of
collision exists.
GAIN:
The gain control is used to adjust the sensitivity of the radar.

It should be so adjusted that the background noise is just visible

on the screen.

In simple words, if the gain is set too low, weak echoes may be
missed while excessive sensitivity RESULT IN too much
background noise.
Echoes from two targets on the same bearing can
appear as a single pip on the PPI or the radar screen.

A reduction in the gain setting is therefore required in

this situation.
How best to set up to have a perfect targets on screen
REDUCING SEA CLUTTER / RAIN:

• If rain or sea clutter is set too low, targets will be hidden in the clutter whereas if
set too high can cause targets to disappear from the radar screen.

• The radar can also detect rain, snow or hail clutter in the same manner as normal
targets.

• The RAIN and SEA control is used to adjust the rain and sea clutter, respectively.

• The scroll wheel is rolled clockwise or anticlockwise to increase or decrease the

clutter.
REDUCING SEA CLUTTER / RAIN:
OFF - CENTRE DISPLAY:

• Own ship position can be displaced to expand the view field

without switching to a large range scale.

• However, while doing so care should be taken that at least

one mile of viewing range is kept on the aft of the ship to view
targets on the ship’s aft or ships trying to overtake own
vessel.

• The cursor can be put to the position where you wish to move
the ship’s position and then press the OFF-CENTRE key on
the keyboard.
The display is off centered thereby expanding the view field without
changing to a larger range scale.
TARGET TRAILS:

• Target trails can be of great assistance to the radar

observer in making an early assessment of the
situation.

• The trail can either be relative or true. Relative trail

shows relative movement between own ship and
target.

• True trail presents true target movements

depending on them over the ground speed and
course.
TARGET TRAILS:

• Relative trails give an early indication if a close quarter

situation is developing, or risk of collision exists.

• Relative trails when combined with true vectors gives an

indication of the relative movement of other vessels and the
risk they present.

• The trail time can be adjusted as per requirement.

PI (PARALLEL INDEX) LINES:

• This is a useful method of monitoring cross track tendency. It

helps us to assess the distance at which the ship will pass a
fixed object on a particular course.

• The index line is drawn parallel to the planned ground track

and should touch the edge of a radar echo of a fixed object, at
a range equal to the desired passing distance.

• Any cross-track tendency (such as caused by a tidal stream,

drift or current) becomes apparent as the target moves off the
parallel line. This technique can be used in both relative and
true motion.
PI (PARALLEL INDEX) LINES:

• Use the trackball to select the PI line number box. Select a PI line number
and push left button to turn it off or on. Roll the scroll wheel to adjust the PI
line orientation (between 000°T to 359.9°T).
HEADING/SPEED/COURSE:

• The top right corner of the radar screen display shows the
heading, speed, course, and speed over the ground, own ship
position, and the source. Speed can be entered from a log or
GPS

• Speed over the ground (SOG) is the speed of the vessel

referenced to the surface of the earth.

• Speed through the water (STW) is the speed of the vessel

referenced to the water in which it is navigating.
HEADING/SPEED/COURSE:

• In general, STW is used for radar collision avoidance to

provide a more accurate indication of the target’s aspect and
SOG is used for navigation. Right click the speed box to
select the source for speed.

• Right click the own ship position box to select the source of
position data- GPS1/2 or DEAD RECKONING.
HEADING/SPEED/COURSE
BRILLIANCE:

• The overall brilliance of the screen can be adjusted

according to lighting conditions using the BRILL KEY by
turning clockwise or anti-clockwise.

• The brilliance menu can be seen by right-clicking on the

brilliance box.
WATCH ALARM:

• The watch alarm sounds the audio alarm at selected time

intervals to help keep regular watch of the radar picture.

• Officers often need to spend time inside chart table thus

sometimes forgetting to keep a radar watch.

• Watch alarm can, therefore, be used to avoid being

occupied for a long time inside radio room or chart room.
VECTOR MODE:

• Target vectors CAN BE SET relative to own ship’s heading

(RELATIVE) or North (TRUE). When determining close
quarter situation or risk of collision exist use of relative vectors
is preferred.

• It is a good practice to switch between true and relative

vectors to gain a better appreciation of the navigational
situation. When using a true vector, own ship and other ship
moves at their true speed and course.

• True vectors can distinguish between moving and stationary

targets. The relative vector helps to find ships on a collision
course. A ship whose vector passes through own ship’s
position is on a collision course.
VECTOR MODE:

• The Vector Length can be adjusted to the required time frame.

It is useful to have both relative and true information visible
simultaneously; this can be achieved by selecting relative
vectors with true trails.

• Combining true vectors with true trails will give no indication of

the relative movement of other vessels and the risk they
present. Shift the cursor to vector mode box and left click to
select the vector required. The vector time can also be
selected using the left button.
In the picture above, the vector mode is relative, and trail used is true.
PAST POSITION:

• The past position Is a useful indicator. These history dots are placed at a
fixed preset interval.

• Dots in a straight line at even spacing indicate a steady course and speed
by the targets. Any changes can be noted as the spacing becomes
uneven.

• The past data can also help the observer to check whether a particular
target has maneuvered in the recent past
PAST POSITION:
13. MARK:

• The MARK menu enables the officer to mark any prominent

target or a point of particular interest.

• For example, you can use the trackball to select the desired
mark from the mark box at the left side of the screen.

• Also, you can drop anchor mark by entering the Anchor

coordinates provided by VTS in port areas in the Mark
menu. Right-click to open the mark menu and use L/L to
enter the coordinates.
•Brilliance
This relates to the brightness of your radar screen. Think of trying to
read this article on your computer in a dark environment. If the
screen was very bright you would struggle to view this page properly.
Likewise in a bright room you would wouldn’t be able to easily see
this page if the screen brightness is turned down low. Your radars
brilliance should be adjusted until the rotating tracing is barely
visible and the screen can be easily viewed. The examples below
show too much, too little and just the right amount of
brilliance.
Rain Clutter

• The rain clutter control can also be known as the Differentiator or the Fast Time
Constant (F.T.C).

• A heavy rainstorm can complete block out radar targets.

• The rain clutter setting solves this issue by ‘thinning out’ the returned targets on
the screen.

• In effect it only shows the targets with a signal strength above a threshold limit
which is adjusted by altering the rain clutter control. The rain echo will be much
weaker than those returned from a solid object such as another vessel so you
can easily remove the interfering echoes from your radar screen. Be careful
when adjusting this clutter control. If set to high you can also thin out real targets
such as other small vessels. A good use of this control is to reduce the rain
clutter just enough to observe vessels in the area of rain.
Sea Clutter

This is also known as swept gain clutter. Like rain the returned echoes from the
sea are much weaker than those returned by solid objects or vessels. Sea clutter
works by reducing the gain applied to returned echoes. This reduction is applied
from the centre of the screen outwards. As the sea clutter control is turned up the
amount of gain is reduced gradually outwards from the centre of the screen. Care
should be taken when adjusting sea clutter that you don’t obscure small targets.
IMO Performance Standards
Radar minimum performance standards are set by the International Maritime
Organisation. The full list of requirements and standards is
contained within IMO Resolution msc.192(79) Annex 34 ‘Adoption of The Revised
Performance Standards for Radar Equipment’. A copy of this resolutions annex is
available to download below. The main performance standards that you should be
aware of for your oral examination are:
Range Discrimination
The radar system should be capable of displaying two targets on the same bearing,
separated by 40 m in range, as two distinct objects.

Range Accuracy
The accuracy of ranges should be within 1% of the range of the range scale in use or
30 m, whichever is the greater distance.
Bearing Accuracy
The system accuracy of bearings should be within 1%.
Bearing Discrimination
The radar system should be capable of displaying two targets at the same range,
separated by 2.5° in bearing, as two distinct objects.
Roll and Pitch
The target detection performance of the radar equipment should not be substantially
impaired when own ship is rolling or pitching up to +/-10°.