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15 Things To Consider While Using Radar

On Ships
By Paromita Mukherjee | May 23, 2021 | Marine Navigation

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The radar is one of the most used equipment systems onboard ships.
It is designed for This
detecting and tracking targets a considerable
ad will end in 8
distance. Needless to say, it’s of great practical value to the
navigators.

Proper use of radar and radar plotting aids in both restricted visibility
and clear weather can help prevent collisions and ensure the safety
of the ship. Accidents can occur if the watch keeping officer is not
of the ship. Accidents can occur if the watch keeping officer is not
fully conversant with the operation of the equipment. For reliable
interpretation, it is essential that the radar operating controls be
adjusted properly.

In this article, we would like to discuss how to interpret and

understand a radar screen display. Below attached is a picture of a
radar screen and the keyboard. This article will help to understand
the basic approach to the use of marine radar.

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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.

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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.
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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.
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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
and sea clutter respectively. The scroll wheel is rolled clockwise or
anticlockwise to increase or decrease the clutter.

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6. OF 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.
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The display is off centered thereby expanding the view field without changing to a larger range
scale.

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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.

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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.
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.

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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.

Right click the own ship position box to select the source of position
data- GPS1/2 or DEAD RECKONING.
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.

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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.
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In the picture above, the vector mode is relative and trail used is true.

12. 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
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.

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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.
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14. 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.

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15. 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.
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The radar display provides the operator a bird’s eye view where other
targets are portrayed relative to own ship. It is an invaluable aid to
navigation. Proper use and close monitoring of the radar especially in
reduced and restricted visibility can help avoid the close quarter

situation and/or collision. It is therefore important that all radar users

understand its use and have a thorough knowledge of the equipment.

Disclaimer: The authors’ views expressed in this article do not

necessarily reflect the views of Marine Insight. Data and charts, if
used, in the article have been sourced from available information and
have not been authenticated by any statutory authority. The author
and Marine Insight do not claim it to be accurate nor accept any
responsibility for the same. The views constitute only the opinions
and do not constitute any guidelines or recommendation on any
course of action to be followed by the reader.

The article or images cannot be reproduced, copied, shared or

used in any form without the permission of the author and
Marine Insight.

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 About Author
Paromita has completed graduation in Nautical Science and is
presently preparing for 2nd mate exams. Besides sailing, she
loves to read books and travel. She has also won many awards
in music.

Read more articles by this author

10 Comments

Tkachenko Roman says:

July 2, 2018 at 1:15 am

Could you please explain why do we choose input for ships position in radar
? I mean we can choose if we want to use GPS1/2 to get ships SOG and
COG. But why do we need DR mode in radars ?
 Nikolay Popov says:
September 9, 2018 at 12:07 pm

Becouse DR gives you corrected and precise position of the ship from
satellites.

capt.Mohammed Abdul Momen says:

October 30, 2018 at 1:16 pm

We have 10 Nos of Furuno Marine Radar Model Furuno 1932 of our fleet at
Jeddah Islamic Port I would like to know how I can erase the Radar Range
rings from screen ? Could you please help me .I will be appreciated for your
kind attention.

AMAL PREMARAJ says:

March 29, 2019 at 10:22 pm

What speed to be maintained while in coastal passage or river passages?

What speed to be maintained while in coastal passage or river passages?

Raunek says:
April 2, 2019 at 4:57 pm

@Amal: Every country will have its own local regulation for speed. However,
the ship’s manoeuvring speed to be maintained when crossing such areas.

Nguyen Van Thuan says:

May 9, 2019 at 7:48 pm

pls help me answer this question:what do you understand by close bearing

,open bearing and steady bearing of the target ?Please explain.

johncel says:
May 24, 2019 at 4:30 pm

Pls anwer..how to deterrmine risk of collision when using true vectors..

some captain likes to set in true vector and not relative even though its
much preffered
much preffered

Jeffrey Gasco says:

September 26, 2019 at 2:47 pm

what is the advisable range settings of the radar when your navigating in
open sea? it is advisable to frequently set to short range in that said area?
thanks..

Lef says:
June 2, 2020 at 3:11 pm

Can someone please explain me the difference between course through

water and course over ground ?

Riz Roz says:

June 26, 2020 at 4:52 pm

What are the safety precautions to be taken while repairing radar?

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