RADAR PLOTTING

A Radar (Radio Detection And Ranging) is an instrument that can

detect surrounding objects using radio waves. Thus, in the maritime
world, objects such as ships, buoys or birds can be detected by
Radars.

Marine radars are X band or S band radars on ships, used to

detect other ships and land obstacles, to provide bearing and
distance for collision avoidance and navigation at sea.

It does so by detecting other ships and land obstacles, to give

bearing and distance for collision avoidance and navigation
while on water. A marine radar device acts as a major
navigation aid. It helps in detecting ships, boats, landmasses,
and weather systems - even if the visibility is less than usual.

Radar dishes spin to enable them to scan a wide area with

greater focus by moving the position of the target being
scanned
What is the difference between
radar and ARPA?

An ARPA assesses the risk of

collision, and enables operator to
see proposed maneuvers by own
ship. ... ARPA processes
radar information much more
rapidly than conventional
radar but is still subject to the
same limitations. ARPA data is
only as accurate as the data that
comes from inputs such as the
gyro and speed log.
Works of ARPA

ARPA (Automatic Radar Plotting Aid) is a computerized

additional feature to the Radar. ARPA takes feed of the
own ships course and speed, and target's course and
speed, and calculates the collision avoidance data and
simplifies the need for the users to calculate the data
themselves.

The principal advantages of ARPA are a reduction in the

workload of bridge personnel and fuller and quicker
information on selected targets. A typical ARPA gives a
presentation of the current situation and uses computer
technology to predict future situations.
 The reason some of us do not practice
radar plotting is one or both of these.
• We do not think it would help us in any way

• We do not know how to do it

• Radar Plotting helpful?

• When and how?

• radar plotting is an alternative for ARPA and thus it
will be handy when ARPA is not working.
 Example of very realistic situation:

• ARPA of one (or both) of your radars stopped

working in the mid sea. Of course, the vessel is not
complying with the SOLAS.
• Master will report the fact to the company and
company will seek dispensation from the flag to sail
and arrive at next port without working ARPA
function of the radar.
• It is understandable that flag will not deny the
dispensation if the ARPA can only be repaired by
shore support or by providing a spare part.
• The flag will give the dispensation on a condition that
the navigators will use radar plotting for all the
targets on the radar.
If you haven’t been practicing radar plotting, you may
find it difficult to navigate the ship safely in this
situation.

Example 2:Even when your ARPA is working, you may

notice that the radar is not holding on to the some of
the targets. Means, the acquired vector is moving away
from the target.
A quick radar plotting for that target can give the clear
picture of the movement of the target.

The only issue is that like the celestial sight, to be

effective radar plotting too need practice.

With radar plotting, we aim to get all the information

that ARPA can give.
 STCW Table A-II/1
Purpose of Plotting

It can show whether danger of collision exists, how close will

pass the target and how much time there is left before this
will take place.
Approximate determination of the course and speed of the
other vessel, so that sensible avoiding action can be taken
when needed.
Manual plotting in connection to radar means to mark one or
more echoes within a specific time interval and thus decide
the target’s movement in relation to own ship.
The objective of plotting is to obtain the clearest possible
picture of the situation.
 STCW Table A-II/1
The Plotting Process

Detection- recognition of the presence of the target.

Selection- choosing of target requiring closer observation
Tracking- the process of observing changes in target
position
Plotting- the whole process of detection, selection,
tracking, calculation of targets parameter
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Target Aspect

The aspect is defined as the angle of view however,

in connection with plotting we will use the term
“Calculated Aspect” in order to distinguish between
the two.
It can be defined as the angle between the target
ships heading and bearing to own ship, as seen from
the target ship.
In connection with plotting and use of radar and
ARPA, we had better define what we receive from
STCW Table A-II/1
Target Aspect

Target Ship

Aspect Red
40

Own Ship

Aspect B measured from dead to a

head to 180 degrees on either side
of the ship.
 STCW Table A-II/1
Relative Aspect

Relative speed is defined as the target speed relative

to own ship, as deducted from a number of
measurements of its range and bearing on the radar,
expressed as an angular distance from own ships
heading.
 STCW Table A-II/1
Plotting Triangle
Knowledge of the speed triangle is
essential for understanding the principles
used in plotting. R

E
R - M = Echo Line/Relative
Track
E – M = Target Ship Course
and Speed
E – R = Own Ship Course and
Speed
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Heading
Defined as the direction in which the bow of a vessel
is pointing, expressed as an angular distance from
north. North

Heading
45
45 degrees
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Relative Bearing
If the relative bearing of an approaching target
remains the same over time, collision danger is
observed.

Relative
Bearing
of Target 030
degrees

Own Ship
Heading
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True Bearing
On merchant ships, true bearing is mainly
used for position fixing.
North

True Bearing 300

degrees
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Bearing
On a ship bearing can be relative or true in connection
with traffic surveillance, relative bearing are often
used. Ship’s
True North
Heading 015
degrees

Relative
Relative Bearing
Bearing
 STCW Table A-II/1
CPA (Closest Point on Approach)
CPA must not be mixed with the point where the target
crosses own ship’s heading, often referred to as BCP
(Bow Crossing Point)
TCP
A

Bow Crossing
Point

CP
A
 STCW Table A-II/1
TCPA (Time Closest Point on Approach)
TCPA is the time estimated as measured along the echo
line form its present position to the closest point on
approach.
TCP
A

Bow Crossing
Point

CP
A
 STCW Table A-II/1
Maneuvering Board
Plotting can be done with head up or north up
however, regardless of selected radar presentation it
is advantageous to plot with north up.
True Plotting
Gives a natural and easily understood picture of the
course of events.
Can be done directly in the chart if the scale is large
enough to give a clear picture.
Gives an easily understood picture of the situation
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Relative Plotting
Own ship is considered a fixed point. Plotting must
be done with high accuracy and great care.

Heavy traffic can make manual plotting impossible.

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Electronic Plotting

Today many modern radars are equipped with an

electronic plotting feature. Used together with EBL
(Electronic Bearing Lines) is very good tool in the hands
of a qualified navigator. These radar features make
plotting direct on the radar display very convenient and
replace the need for reflection plotter or plotting sheets.
 STCW Table A-II/1

Errors in Manual Plotting

Even small errors in one or several of these

parameters can cause large and dangerous errors in
the plot calculations. Always check these parameters
as thoroughly as possible in order to reduce the
possibilities for “nasty surprises” during manual
 STCW Table A-II/1
Sources of Errors in Manual Plotting
Bearing Error
Distance Error
Error in timing between plots
Error in speed
Gyro Error
Relative Speed
Maneuvering of own vessel
Unstable steering, yawing, etc.
STCW Table A-II/1

Errors in Manual
Plotting
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Collision Danger
The usual method of deciding whether a collision danger
is present is taking several bearings. This is time
consuming, and it requires that many bearings have to be
taken.
A dangerous situation can quickly emerged by taking a
few inaccurate bearings from a comparatively long
distance and then “forgetting” the target if the CPA is
 STCW Table A-II/1
Errors in Distance Measurement
An error in distance measurement, as in bearing error,
can produce grave results when judging the traffic
situation.

Errors in Timing
A timing error between two plots will result in
calculation of incorrect target course, speed and time
 STCW Table A-II/1
Errors in Speed

An error on speed causes incorrect calculation in the

same manner as error timing. However, we must
remember that in all plotting where we wish a picture
of aspect, own vessels speed through the water must be
utilized. Never make corrections due to current or drift.
In connection with plotting, speed through water should
be used.
 STCW Table A-II/1
Gyro Error
Make it a habit to always correct the gyro for
known gyro error target with low speed.
Factors That Affects Manual Plotting
Unstable Steering
Maneuvering of Own Ship
The Technical Exactness of the Equipment
Rough Weather Conditions
Target Relative Speed
The Navigator’s Experience and Lack of Plotting Practice
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Relative Radar Plotting

Symbols
 STCW Table A-II/1

Symbols are signs, letters, or abbreviations used to

replace words. They are used in mathematics and
certain sciences to good advantage by reducing the
amount of space required explaining a thing. Since
symbols take the place of words and, they form a
language of their own her here is a list that is used
in Radar Plotting.
STCW Table A-II/1

RADAR PLOTTING
SYMBOLS AND
MEANING
STCW Table A-II/1
CPA - Closest Point of Approach.
TCPA - Time of Closest Point of Approach.
DRM - Direction of relative movement/motion
SRM - Speed of relative movement/motion
e - point of origin of the own ship
e-m - Contact's vector
e-r - Own ship's initial vector
e-r' - Own ship's final
OC - Own ship's initial course.
m - The head of the relative motion vector (r-m) also the head of the
contact's vector (e-m). 
 STCW Table A-II/1
RML - Relative Motion Line. 
SRM - Speed of Relative Movement. 
TCPA- time closest point of approach
NCPA- new closest point of approach
ST- actual target’s true speed
CT- true course of target
mx- point of execution
AC- collision avoidance course
AS- collision avoidance speed
ROCS- resume ownership course and speed
 STCW Table A-II/1

NRML - New Relative Motion Line the Relative

Motion Line after own ship has maneuvered.
r - The head of own ship vector (e-r).
r-m - The relative motion vector.
M1 - First plotted position of contact
 Conclusion
• With ARPA on board ships, the art of radar plotting
is fading away. But it is not that radar plotting is not
relevant nowadays. In situations like sailing with in-
operational ARPA under flag dispensation, radar
plotting will be of great help. But if we haven’t been
practicing radar plotting, it can’t effectively
substitute ARPA in situations when it is desperately
required to.