Navigation and Radar (OOW,Yacht)

Duration

This module will be conducted over a minimum period of 15 days.

Content

The module will consist of sections on the Collision Regulations, chart work, Buoyage,  Electronic Navigation Aids,  ECDIS,  AIS,  Radar and ARPA.  

Examination and Assessment

Navigational theory and radar plotting will be covered in the first two weeks of the course,  concluding with a written examination: this examination may also cover topics previously covered in the RYA Yachtmaster syllabus.   

Additionally, in course assessment and examination will include demonstrating competence in:-

•   Running fix with tides and leeway;
•   Compass bearings and conversion from compass to true bearings;
•   Horizontal angles;
•   Clearing bearings and transits.

Operation and setting up of Electronic Navigation Aids including:-

•   GPS;
•   Loran C;
•   ECDIS;
•   Echo Sounders and Logs;
•   Radar;
•   Knowledge of chart symbols and abbreviations;
•   The IALA system of buoyage both A & B and the Cardinal system;

The written examination will consist of a 2½-hour theory paper in two parts.
Part 1 will consist of 3 questions – 1 each on Chartwork,  Tides  and Radar Plotting.
Part 2 will consist of 3 questions to test “under pinning knowledge”. Candidates must achieve a minimum of 60% in both parts.

The third week’s training will be conducted in a Radar and Navigation Systems Bridge Simulator where the candidates will be required to demonstrate competence in the use of radar,  ARPA, and ECDIS as well as traditional navigational skills and compliance with the IRCPS.

The practical, simulation part of the course will occupy the third week and be the subject of continuous assessment.

Bridge Simulator Performance Criteria

1.  The advantages and disadvantages of different radar and ARPA display modes are clearly      understood with respect to target detection and tracking.

2.  Appropriate use is made of sea and ground stabilised radar displays selecting appropriate      course and speed sensor inputs.

3.  The correct interpretation of radar information is clearly demonstrated.

4.  The correct methods of anti-collision radar plotting of targets are demonstrated.

5.  Evidence of the above will be demonstrated by the candidates appropriate use of modes of      display, appropriate length of trails,  and appropriate control of vectors.

6.  Action taken to avoid a close encounter, or collision,  with other vessels is in accordance      with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea:

      i.  Action taken will be made in ample time and will result in passing at a safe distance:   if           the candidate (in the role of OOW) is in doubt he should inform the Master.
      ii.  When appropriate the candidate will verify collision avoidance manoeuvres, and            subsequent return to track, utilising the trial manoeuvre.

7.  The candidate (as OOW) when in charge of the navigation will:

    i.  Fix the vessel’s position at appropriate intervals by the best means available and check         the position by a second means when possible.
    ii.  Monitor and maintain the planned track by Parallel Index when possible.
    iii. When navigating by ECDIS will:
          a.   maintain the ECDIS display at the appropriate range
          b.   maintain an appropriate look ahead
          c.   maintain appropriate safety settings and safety zone
          d.   display appropriate information  and object layers
          e.   recognise and respond to alarms and warnings
          f.   monitor the integrity of the system by cross checking against appropriate  PI                information,  radar overlay or ARPA overlay, as available.

    iv.  Maintain a visual lookout at all times.

    v.  Maintain a VHF listening watch on the appropriate channels.

8.  The candidate (as OOW) when in charge of the navigation will:

    i.   Utilise AIS target data to maintain situation awareness.

9.  If in any doubt,  the candidate (as OOW) will inform the Master.

TOPIC 1   COMPASS WORK.

.1     Magnetic Compass.

1      Understands basic magnetism;
2      Draws a diagram of the earth’s magnetic field;
3      Understands the difference between Magnetic and geographic poles;
4      Understands the Magnetic Meridian;
5      Explains the reason for Magnetic Variation;
6      Recognises the method of obtaining local magnetic variation from the chart.

.2    Understands Deviation of the magnetic compass.

1     Understands the reasons for the change in deviation of the magnetic compass with changes in the ships head;

.3    Shows correct application of Deviation & Variation to Compass courses & bearings.

1     Converts Compass course to True and True to compass;
2     Converts Compass bearings to True bearings and True bearings to compass bearings.

.4    Understands the need for regular checks of the Compass Error.

1     Demonstrates the ability to calculate compass error using transits;
2    Applies compass error correctly.

TOPIC 2GYRO COMPASS.

.1   Understands the practical application of the gyro compass.

    Understands the need to regularly check the accuracy of the gyro compass;
2     Calculates gyro error using transits;
3     Applies latitude and speed correction correctly.

TOPIC 3         CHARTWORK.

.1   Demonstrates ability to interpret information on Admiralty Charts.
1

    Recognises chart symbols and abbreviations;
2     Understands the significance of the Notes, Warnings and Chart Datums;

.2  Recognises chart projections; gnomonic, Mercator

1     Outline knowledge and use of gnomonic projection and port plans
2     Awareness of the effect of each projection on the shape of the land mass
3     Awareness of the difference between GC and Rhumb lines

.3   Position line, circle of position and transferred position lines.

1     Understands differences between a position and a position line;
2     Understands the definition of DR, EP and Fix.
3     Plots ship’s Dead Reckoning position using Compass and Speed log;
4     Plots ship’s Estimated Position applying  set and drift;
5     Plots running fix with tide and leeway.  

.4  Understands the difference between ground and water track.

.5  Fixes position by:

1     Compass bearings
2     Ranges and bearings
3     Dipping distances
4     Calculates distance off by vertical angle.

.6  Understands the use of Danger Angles and danger circles.

1      Calculates the correct danger angle allowing for height of tide.

.7 Fix ship’s position using Echo Sounder.

1     Use of line of soundings combined with range or bearing.

.8 Introduction to Voyage Planning

1      Awareness of the Key Elements
              •  Appraisal               •  Planning
              •  Execution
              •  Monitoring
              •  Admiralty List of Radio Signals
2     Awareness of sources of information
             •  navigational charts (including ECDIS and RCDS),
             •  sailing  directions,
             •  light lists, tide tables,
             •  radio navigational warnings and ship routeing information
             •  ALRS

TOPIC 4         CHART CORRECTING.

.1Understands the importance of up to date charts.

1     Recognise the latest correction on a chart;

2     Understands how to check that a chart is up to date.

.2         Understands information contained in the Weekly Notices to Mariners and cumulative lists of chart corrections.

1     Demonstrates ability to correct charts accurately;

2     Demonstrates ability to correct other publications including ALL, ALRS etc.

TOPIC 5         NOTICES TO MARINERS.

.1Understands the importance of up to date information.

1     Uses NAVTEX and radio to obtain latest information before and during voyage.

.2         Understands use and value of T’s & P’s.

.3         Awareness of the contents of the Annual Summary of N to M.

TOPIC 6         TIDES AND TIDAL CALCULATIONS.

.1          Tides and calculations

1.  Understands basic causes of tides;
2.  Differentiates between Spring and Neap tides;
3.  Understands relationship between Chart Datum, LATS, MHWS etc;
4.  Understands information contained in the Admiralty Tide Tables;
5.  Calculates height and range of tide at standard ports;
6.  Calculates times and heights of tide at secondary European ports;
7.  Calculates height of tide for a given time at standard and secondary ports;
8.  Calculates the time for a given height of tide at standard and  secondary ports;
9.  States the difference in calculation of Pacific tides including secondary ports.

TOPIC 7INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTION OF COLLISION AT SEA.

.1           IRCPS

1  Full Knowledge of the IRCPS.

TOPIC 8          BUOYAGE SYSTEM.

.1           Understands IALA system A & B.

TOPIC 9         NAVIGATION AIDS.

.1  Hyperbolic Navigation Systems.

Has a knowledge of the basic principle of Loran C;

•  Time difference;
•  Understands the basic principle of the Loran C system;
•  Understands the errors and limitations of the Loran C system;
•  Day/night effect;
•  Propagation effect;
•  Additional secondary factors;

.2  Satellite Navigation Systems. (GNSS)

1  Understands the principle of satellite navigation systems;
2  Aware of the errors in GNSS and their causes;
3  Demonstrate an understanding of the terms DOPS etc;
4  Aware of the problems associated with datum shifts;
5  An outline knowledge of Differential GNSS.

.3 Echo Sounders.

1  Understand the echo ranging principles;
2  Use of echo ranging for depth calculation;~
3  Time base measurement;
4  Understand the operation of a simple echo sounder;
5  Demonstrates the correct setting up procedures:

•  Correct range;
•  Alarms;
•  Correct gain;
•  Correct datum (depth below keel);

6  Understands the errors of the Echo sounders;

•  Effect of water density;
•  Effect of shallow water;
•  Aeration;
•  Cavitation;
•  Multiple returns (second trace);

.4Speed Logs

1  Basic knowledge of measuring speed and distance through the water

2  Towed and rotating logs

3  Doppler logs:    

•  knowledge of Doppler shift principle    
•  explains the method used in Doppler log to measure ship speed    
•  states that speed can be measured in all directions    
•  understands the errors of a Doppler log system, and    
•  understands the dangers associated with Doppler logs for speed input into true motion radar and ARPA

4    Electromagnetic and Impellor logs:    
•  knowledge of the principles of operation    
•  understand these logs read speed through the water, and    
•  understands the errors of these logs

.5     Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems.

1  Understands the difference between ECS & ECDIS;

2  Understands the principal types of electronic charts available;

•  Raster charts;
•  Vector charts;
•  Be aware of S-52 & S-57 IHO performance standards.
•  Be aware of the significance of ENC and their use with ECDIS.

3  Basic navigational functions and settings

4  Specific functions of route monitoring

5  Radar and ARPA and AIS overlays

6  Status indications,  indicators and alarms      

7  Integrity monitoring

8  Risk of over reliance on ECDIS

9  Awareness of updating and correcting ECDIS charts

10  Awareness of back up systems in event of ECDIS failure

.6     Understands the display of the ship position symbol on ECS;

1  DGPS and Loran-C etc;

2  Understands the potential errors due to incorrect chart Datum;

3  Understands the limitations of accuracy;

TOPIC 10       RADAR

.1          Principles of Radar.

1  Understands echo ranging principle;

2  Understands the principle of the radar beam;

3  Describes the function of the scanners and associated aerial system;

4  Describes bearing determination by azimuth of scanner;

5  Appreciates the effect beam width has on beam distortion and bearing error;

6  Describes the formation of side lobes and multiple echoes;

7  Appreciates the importance of vertical beam width;

8  Understands factors affecting minimum range and discrimination;

•  Pulse Repetition Frequency;
•  Pulse length;
•  Target aspect;
•  Height of Scanner;

9  Understands the factors affecting target size and quality;

•  Aspect of target;
•  Material;

10  Understands the errors in radar information and identifies false targets;

•  Multiple echoes;
•  Side lobes;
•  Shadow and Blind sectors;
•  Second trace echoes;
•  Meteorological effects.

.2           Operation of Radar.

1  Understands correct setting up procedure;

2  Understands the action of each of the following controls;

•  Brilliance, Gain, Tuning, Pulse length, range;
•  Clutter, sea and rain;
•  Auto clutter controls;

3  Understands the use of the heading marker;

•  Understands the dangers of incorrectly aligned heading marker;
•  Uses the heading marker switch correctly during watch keeping;

4  Takes ranges and bearings using the electronic bearing line (EBL) and variable range markers;

5  Understands the errors in range and bearing;

6  Understands the use of the offset electronic range and bearing line (ERBL)

7  Understands parallel indexing techniques;

•  Understands the methods of parallel indexing using index lines;
•  Sets up index lines correctly;

8  Correctly interprets the information supplied by the Radar;

9  Displays and interprets relative and true tracks correctly.

.3          Radar Plotting.

1  Understands the method of laying out a paper plot;

•  The Plotting Triangle;
•  Understands CPA;
•  TCPA and method of calculating the true target track;

2  Interprets plotted information correctly and acts according to IRCPS;

3  Understands the effects of alteration of course and/or speed of own ship.

4  Demonstrates the effect of an alteration of course and/or speed for a critical target on the CPAs of other ships.

TOPIC 11ARPA    (Note:  the term ‘ARPA’  includes ‘Target Tracking’ introduced with the revised Performance Standards)

IMO Performance Standards for ARPA

.1  An appreciation of the performance standards in particular the standards relating to accuracy

Factors affecting system performance and accuracy

.2  Knowledge of ARPA sensor input parameters – radar,  compass and speed inputs and the effects of sensor malfunction on the accuracy of ARPA data.

.3  Knowledge of :

i  The effects of the limitations of radar range and bearing discrimination and accuracy and the limitations of of compass and speed input accuracies on the accuracy of ARPA data

i  iFactors which influence vector accuracy

Tracking capabilities and limitations

.4   Knowledge of :
     i.The criteria for the selection of targets by automatic acquisition
     ii.The factors leading to the correct choice of targets for manual acquisition
     iii.The effects on tracking of lost targets and target fading
     iv.The circumstances causing ‘target swap’ and its effects on displayed data
     v.The limits imposed on both types of acquisition in multi-target scenarios

Processing delays

.5   Knowledge of:
i. The delays inherent in the display of processed ARPA information,  particularly on acquisition and re-acquisition or when a tracked target,  or own ship,  manoeuvres.

Operational warnings

.6   Appreciation of:
     i.The uses,  benefits and limitations of ARPA operational warnings and their correct setting,  where applicable,  to avoid spurious alarms and distraction

True and relative vectors and typical graphic representation of target information and danger areas

.7   Thorough knowledge of true and relative vectors,  derivation of targets’ true courses and speeds,  including:
     i.  threat assessment,  derivation of of predicted closest point of approach and predicted time to closest point of approach from forward extrapolation of vectors,  the           use of graphic representation of danger areas
     ii.  the effects of alteration of course and/or speed of own ship and/or targets on predicted closest point of approach and predicted time to closest point of approach             and danger areas
     iii.  the effects of incorrect vectors and danger areas
     iv.  the benefits of switching between true and relative vectors

Information on past positions of targets being tracked

.8   Knowledge of:
     i.  the derivation of past positions of targets being tracked
     ii.recognition of historic data as a means of indicating recent manoeuvring of targets and as a method of checking the validity of the ARPA’s tracking

Setting up and maintaining displays

.9   Ability to demonstrate:
     i.  the selection of display presentation;  stabilised relative motion displays and true motion displays
     ii.  the correct adjustment of all variable radar display controls for optimum display of data
     iii.  the selection as appropriate of required speed input
     iv.  the selection of ARPA tracking controls,  manula automatic acquisition,  vector/graphic display of data
     v.  the selection of the time scale of vectors/graphics
     vi.  the use of exclusion areas when automatic acquisition is utilised
     vii.  performance checks of radar,  compass and speed input sensors and ARPA

Obtaining information from the ARPA display

.10  Ability to obtain information in both relative and true modes of display,  including:
      i.  the identification of critical echoes
      ii  the speed and direction of target’s relative movement
      iii  the time to and predicted range at target’s closest point of approach
      iv  the courses and speeds of targets
      v  detecting changes of targets’ courses and speeds and the limitations of such information
      vi  the effect of changes in own ship’s course or speed or both
      vii  the operation of the trial manoeuvre
      viii  the use and limitations of the mapping facility

Application of the International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea

.11  Analysis of potential collision situations from displayed information, determination and execution of action to avoid close quarters situations in accordance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea.

TOPIC 12  AIS

1  Is aware of AIS concepts:

   i.  Understands the objectives of AIS
   ii.  Aware of the system concepts of AIS
   iii.  Aware of the SOTDMA concept
   iv  Describes the major constituents of a shipborne system

2  Understands the elements of AIS data:
   

i.  Understands the information included in static data
   ii.  Understands the information included in dynamic data
   iii.  Understands the information included in voyage related data
   iv.  Understands the associated transmission intervals for each group of data
   v.  Understands the use of safety and security related messages
   vi.  Aware of the use of AIS as aids to navigation

3  AIS Ship Installations

   i  Understands carriage requirements
   ii  Understands the MKD configuration
   iii  Understands the radar/ECDIS configuration

4  Use of AIS at Sea
   

i  Understands the need for checks of own ship input data
   ii  Understands the use of AIS data on a radar or ECDIS display
   iii  Aware of caution when making decisions based on AIS target data
   iv  Understands the advantages and disadvantages of AIS compared with radar