Nav 5

Operational Use of RADAR / ARPA

Learning Outcome

At the end of the module, the student should be able to:

LO2.1: Explain the requirements for RADAR according to IMO

Performance Standards MSC 192(79)

LO2,2: demonstrate the principles of RADAR by setting up

 Week 1
Basic Theory and operation of a Marine
Radar System
IMO Performance Standards MSC 192(79)
 Introduction:
RESOLUTION MSC.192(79) (adopted on 6 December 2004) ADOPTION OF
THE REVISED PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
SCOPE OF EQUIPMENT
The radar equipment should assist in safe navigation and in avoiding collision
by providing an indication, in relation to own ship, of the position of other
surface craft, obstructions and hazards, navigation objects and shorelines.
For this purpose, radar should provide the integration and display of radar
video, target tracking information, positional data derived from own ship’s
position (EPFS) and geo referenced data. The integration and display of AIS
information should be provided to complement radar. The capability of
displaying selected parts of Electronic Navigation Charts and other vector
chart information may be provided to aid navigation and for position
monitoring.
Overview of IMO Standards

The International Maritime Organization's Performance

Standards for Radar (MSC 192(79)) establishes essential
requirements for marine radar systems to enhance
safety at sea. These standards ensure that radar
systems are reliable and effective for navigation
purposes.
 IMO Performance Standards
MSC 192(79)
The IMO's MSC 192(79) performance standards set forth the minimum requirements
for marine radar systems to ensure safety at sea. These standards include:
• Detection Range: The radar must be able to detect targets at a specified
minimum range under a variety of conditions.
• Accuracy: The system must provide accurate distance and bearing
measurements to support safe navigation.
• Reliability: The radar system must operate reliably in different environmental
conditions, including adverse weather.
• User Interface: The display and controls should be designed for ease of use,
allowing operators to quickly interpret radar data.
• Training and Maintenance: Adequate training for operators and a maintenance
schedule are necessary to ensure the radar system remains functional and effective.
 Requirements for Radar According to IMO
Standards
• Performance Criteria: The radar system must provide accurate range and
bearing information. It should have a minimum effective range capable of detecting
vessels at a safe distance.
• Display Clarity: The display must present information clearly, allowing operators
to identify targets easily, even in cluttered environments.
• Automatic Tracking: The radar should have the capability to automatically track
moving targets, providing continuous updates on their position and movement.
• Integration with Other Systems: Radar systems should be able to integrate with
other navigation aids, such as AIS (Automatic Identification System), to enhance
situational awareness.
• Environmental Considerations: The radar must be designed to function
effectively under various environmental conditions, including rain, fog, and sea clutter.
 Radar Operation Procedures and Control

Pre-Operational Checks
Before operating a marine radar system, the following pre-operational
checks should be performed:
• System Power-Up: Ensure the radar system is powered on and all
displays are functioning properly.
• Calibration: Calibrate the radar settings according to the
manufacturer’s specifications to ensure accurate readings.
• Range Settings: Select the appropriate range setting based on the
expected operational area. This could range from short distances close to
the shore to longer distances for open sea navigation.
 Operating the Radar System
• Tuning the Radar: Adjust the gain and clutter settings to optimize the
radar's ability to detect targets while minimizing background noise.
• Monitoring Targets: Continuously monitor the radar display for the
presence of other vessels and obstacles. The operator should interpret the
data, recognizing the relative positions and courses of detected objects.
• Automatic Tracking: Utilize the automatic tracking feature to maintain
updates on the positions of moving targets, which aids in collision
avoidance.
• Communication: Maintain communication with other vessels and
navigation authorities using appropriate channels, ensuring safe passage and
collaboration.
 Post-Operational Procedures
After navigating, operators should:
• System Shutdown: Properly shut down the radar system and
any connected equipment to prevent damage.
• Maintenance Checks: Conduct routine maintenance checks
to ensure the radar system remains in good working condition for
future operations.
• Documentation: Keep records of radar operations, including
any incidents or unusual readings, to improve future navigational
practices.
 Applications of Marine Radar Systems

Marine radar systems are used in various applications, including:

• Navigation: Assisting vessels in safely navigating through busy
shipping lanes and avoiding collisions.
• Search and Rescue: Enhancing the ability to locate distressed ships or
individuals in the water.
• Weather Monitoring: Providing information on weather patterns that
may affect navigation.
• Traffic Monitoring: Tracking the movement of vessels in congested
ports or waterways.
 Basic setting of RADAR/ARPA
1. Before turning on the RADAR/ARPA make sure no one is working on or
near the scanner, also make sure no halyards etc. fouling the scanner.
2. Ensure all the controls are set to zero.
3. Turn the radar Set to standby and wait for the RADAR/ ARPA to warm up.
4. After warming up, Turn the RADAR/ARPA to transmit.
5. Adjust the Brilliance according to the prevailing condition.
6. Adjust the Gain to just the right amount.
7. Adjust the Tunning.
8. Adjust the Sea clutter according to prevailing conditions.
9. Adjust the Rain Clutter according to prevailing conditions.
 Uses of Marine Radar
• To calculate range and bearing of a target and thereafter use the information to
determine speed, course etc
• Integration with other shipboard equipment (such as ECDIS) to derive precise
data
• Navigating own vessel and her course with regard to collision avoidance
• Fixing the ship’s position using terrestrial objects such as lighthouses, buoys etc
• Differentiating between targets in high traffic density areas
• Determination of the weather, to an extent
• Use by VTS in controlling coastal traffic
• Usage of features such as parallel indexing to ensure safe navigation
• Alleviating workload on the OOW on the bridge
• Used extensively in pilotage that covers the above aspects
 16 Things To Consider While Using Radar on Ships
1. CHOICE OF RANGE SCALE: Appropriate range scales should be used
depending on the prevailing circumstances and conditions of the
environment the ship is in. Where two radars are used, one radar can be
kept on a longer-range scale to obtain advance warning of the approach
of other vessels, changes in traffic density, or proximity to the coastline.
The other radar can use a short-range scale, which helps to detect
smaller 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
2. 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. The current interval is shown in the
upper left position on the screen. Count the number of rings between the
center of the display and the target to measure the range to a target. 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.
3. BEARING MEASUREMENT: 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.
4. GAIN: The gain control on the keyboard 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 yields 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.
5. 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 A/C RAIN and A/C 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.
6. 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.
7. 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 their over the ground speed and course. 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.
8. 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. 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).
9. 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(STW) or GPS(SOG) or
manually. 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. 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.
10. 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 box at the bottom left corner of the screen
provides various palettes and other options as shown below. Select the item
needed and roll the scroll wheel to adjust the brilliance. The brilliance menu
can be seen by right-clicking on the brilliance box.
11. WATCH ALARM: the function of the watch alarm is quite similar to
that of BNWAS. The watch alarm sounds the audio alarm at selected time
intervals to help keep regular watch of the radar picture. The countdown
starts from the value set. 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. The ALARM 1 and 2 in the picture below is used to set up the
alarm. The ALARM ACK key should be pressed to silence the alarm.
12. 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. 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.
13. 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. Change of course will not be shown in a
straight line. A curve in the trail indicates an
alteration of course whereas the change in the
spacing of the plots indicates a change in the speed
of the target. The past data can also help the
observer to check whether a particular target has
maneuvered in the recent past, possibly while the
observer was away from the display on other bridge
duties. However past position, if used can clutter the
screen and should be avoided in heavy traffic as the
plots of different targets start crossing and
overlapping each other and should be used with
caution.
14. 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.
15. TARGET TRACKING/ AIS DATA BOX: appears on the right side of the radar
screen. It provides information of automatically or manually acquired
targets including display of range, bearing, course, speed, CPA and TCPA,
BCR and BCT. The target list provides a comprehensive data display of all
targets being tracked. To acquire a target on the radar screen, simply
move the cursor to the target and left click. The TARGET ACQUIRE key on
the keyboard can also be used to acquire the target. The CPA limit box can
be used to set the range and time for CPA as required. If a target is
predicted to breach the CPA limits, the alarm will sound and/or displayed.
TARGET TRACKING/ AIS DATA BOX
16. PRESENTATION MODES: Radar users must clearly understand what
they are seeing. North up relative motion is the normal default radar
display format. Within that relative and true vector and trails can be
selected. The North Up mode shows the targets in their true (compass)
directions from own ship, North being maintained up on the screen. The
heading marker changes its direction according to the ship’s heading. If
the TRUE motion is used, own ship and other moving targets move
according to their course and speed. Fixed targets such as landmasses
appear as stationary echoes. In the pictures above, the presentation
mode used is North Up Relative Motion.
 Other Features of RADAR/ARPA:
• Position- RADAR can determine the position of the targets in terms of
their latitude and longitude or in relation to the radar’s own ship
• Course Over Ground (COG)- Indicate the direction in which a target is
moving over the earth surface.
• Speed Over Ground (SOG)- Represent the speed at which a target is
moving over the earth surface.
• Relative Motion- Information helps help assess the changing relationship
between the radars own vessel and other targets, indicating if they are on a
collision course or moving away.
• Closest Point of Approach (CPA)- This is a prediction of the closest
distance between the radar’s own vessel and another target, considering
their current courses and speed
 Other Features of RADAR/ARPA:
• Time to Closest Point of Approach (TCPA)- This indicate the time it
will take for two targets to reach their CPA based on their current course
and speed.
• Electronic Bearing Line (EBL)- A line on the radar display that
shows the bearing from the radar own ship to selected target
• Variable Range Marker (VRM)- It aids in estimating distance and
target tracking and line on the radar display that shows the distance
from the radar own ship to selected target
• Rate of Turn- Radar system can sometimes estimate the rate at
which a target
 Other Features of RADAR/ARPA:
• Target Size and Aspect- Radar system can something provide
information about the size and aspect of detected targets, which can help
identifying the type of object
• Radar Cross Section (RCS)- This measures detectable an object is to
radar waves, different objects have different RCS values
• True Motion- Radar can provide information on whether a target’s
motion is steady or erratic aiding in identifying potential collision risk.
 In summary importance of RADAR/ARPA

are essentially utilized to improve the standard of collision avoidance at sea.

Primarily designed as anti-collision radar, the ARPA technology removed the
chore of plotting targets manually on a reflection plotter or separate plotting
aid.
Understanding the basic theory and operation of marine radar systems is
essential for safe navigation at sea. By adhering to the IMO Performance
Standards MSC 192(79), operators can ensure their radar systems are
effective and reliable. Proper training in radar operation procedures and
controls not only enhances the safety of the vessel but also contributes to
the overall safety of maritime navigation. As technology continues to evolve,
staying informed about the latest advancements in radar systems will be
crucial for maritime professionals.
 End of Slide…

Thank you for listening!!!