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Post by NigeL on Jun 25, 2008 12:32:53 GMT 1
Vessel : gas Tanker MT Gas Monarch Yacht : Whispa Location 6nm ~ ESE Lowestoft. For all those with radar or looking to fit it - read the report ! It shows how lack of understanding of that screen can put you into danger. Sorry I don't have direct link to the report ... I only have the CA Mag's article pointing to it. www.maib.gov.uk/ |
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Post by ggt on Jun 28, 2008 17:48:29 GMT 1
Yep... lots to think about there  I'm always staggered at what someone good with radar can do with it compared to someone like me who rarely gets a chance to use it. I'm also supposed to be able to do CPA plots and all sorts (probably a bit rusty) but on my boat and lots of small boats, plotting an accurate fix is hard enough and I'm not sure if single-handing that I'd want to have my head down trying to do that while running everything else. I suppose the thing to look for on a small boat would be a set with some good automatic plotting and collision gizmos built-in and then practice, practice and practice with it so you can work them reliably when you need to. |
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Post by NigeL on Jun 29, 2008 8:40:35 GMT 1
I don't have Radar on my boat ... so don't know ....
But Question : Those with Radar fitted - Did it come with instruction manual that also gave exercises or information on how to plot and use even basically ? I don't mean the switch on and view owners manual - I mean an attempt to teach newbies what they can do with it ?
GPS manuals seem to do a comprehensive job of it, to extent that I'm sure that majority cannot do most that is listed !!!
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Post by olivepage on Jun 29, 2008 22:33:29 GMT 1
I suppose that its the classic almost but not quite head on meeting. Do you make a substantial change or make a judgment that you will clear the other vessel.
Not sure that it was so much radar assisted as people not realising the limitations of radar. Since neither vessel had ARPA both vessels were trying to judge divergence of courses of vessels several miles apart on a screen a few inches in diameter.
Even with training and experience that is always going to be difficult at very small angles of interception.
Don't know what the answer is. Its almost tempting to say demote radar to second place and make sure a lookout OUTSIDE the bridge/wheelhouse is on duty and make full use of sound signals and reduce speed. Not a problem for a yacht but not likely to be done by commercial vessels trying to earn a living.
I always remember, many years ago sitting in a boat in the river Orwell watching the radar screen trying to see a ferry coming up the river which was clearly visible through the companionway hatch but completely lost on the screen. I have radar on Olive but I would never put 100% trust in it. We fitted it after a particularly nasty trip from Amble to the Tyne with a forecast of fog patches - we had solid fog for 25 miles, we entered the Tyne by following the sound of the fog horn after landing on the GPS position due East and then steering due west. I had my son on the foredeck looking for the loom of the Nth pier light with orders to point at it as soon as it was visible. Hair raising even though we knew we had a clear run.
On the NE coast fog is not unusual - we have an unbreakable rule that we never single hand in fog and even with a nice warm wheelhouse someone is out on deck - looking and listening
I hate fog.
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Post by malcb on Jul 2, 2008 17:25:15 GMT 1
I But Question : Those with Radar fitted - Did it come with instruction manual that also gave exercises or information on how to plot and use even basically ? I don't mean the switch on and view owners manual - I mean an attempt to teach newbies what they can do with it ? Answer : In a word - No. The handbook with mine is just an instruction manual on installing it and what the various buttons do. I did do the RYA Radar course, and that I found useful. We were using proper radar screens with a radar simulator program from a PC and also live radar which was based on the balcony at the club house so that we could see the marina and the channel. The instructor was very good, and we did a reasonable number of plotting exercises, including one where we were the overtaking vessel. I also use the radar whenever possible, when the engine is running so that I can get used to interpreting what I see on the screen with what is in the real world. It's also proved useful last week when as we were approching Portland Bill inshore passage we decided that because of the F6 westerly that was blowing it would be prudent to divert to 6 miles offshore. I just turned it on a plotted the shore line until I had a 6 mile clearance. |
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Post by NigeL on Jul 2, 2008 18:00:48 GMT 1
Clearing lines, navigational technique based on parellel indexing - excellent tool.
Set up well - you can navigate a vessel all along a winding channel with ease.
No instruction or self teaching exercises included with radar when bought ? That's terrible - such a great piece of gear without lessons ? Destroys value of it unless you take separate course etc.
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