What is the ARPA and RADAR

 Automatic radar plotting aids (ARPA) Automatic radar plotting aids 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.
 Radar (Radio Detection And Ranging) electromagnetic sensor used for detecting,
locating, tracking, and recognizing objects of various kinds at considerable distances. It
operates by transmitting electromagnetic energy toward objects, commonly referred to as
targets, and observing the echoes returned from them.
How does it works.?

Working of Radar and ARPA

Radar (Radio Detection And Ranging) consists of different parts which can be mainly divided into:

a) Transmitter

b) Receiver

c) Scanner and

d) Display

The working process of Radar starts with an oscillator known as ‘magnetron’, which has a fixed
frequency. The magnetron takes electrical inputs from a power source through a modulator and
produces an output of electro-magnetic energy known as ‘pulse’. These pulses are sent to the
scanner or the antennae through a metallic tube known as ‘wave guide’.

From the scanner these pulses are sent out to the atmosphere. The number of pulses sent out
through the scanner per second is called the Pulse Repetition Frequency. The pulses travel through
the atmosphere at the speed of light and gets reflected back after striking any target on its way.
The reflected echoes reach back the scanner and the receiver processes and amplifies it and shows
on the display screen as a ‘blip’ which is identified as the detected target.
The above diagram depicts the working sequence of Radar as explained. In the diagram, the
following parts mentioned, serve for the purpose as stated below.

1. Delay Line – It stores the energy received from the power source.
2. Modulator – It switches on / off the Magnetron and releases one DC pulse from delay line
to magnetron.
3. TR Cell – It blocks receiver part of the waveguide during transmission and blocks
transmitter end during reception.
4. Mixer – Mixes received echoes with local oscillations.

Related Reading : Different Types of Navigation Equipment and Tools Used on Ships

Working of ARPA

ARPA (Automatic Radar Plotting Aid) is a computerised 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.
ARPA provides various other additional features and controls as well.
Image Credits : Wikipedia

Carriage Requirement of Radar and ARPA.

The Chapter V of SOLAS details the carriage requirement of Radar and ARPA onboard ships

In the simplest words, they are as follows:-

 All ships of 300 GRT and above and all passenger vessels shall be fitted with a 9 GHz
Radar and an electronic plotting aid.
 All ships of 500 GRT and above shall be fitted with an automatic tracking aid to plot the
range and bearing of other targets.
 All ships of 3000 GRT and above, a 3 GHz Radar or a second 9 GHz Radar which are
functionally independent of the first 9 GHz Radar. A second automatic tracking aid to plot
the range and bearing of other targets, which is functionally independent of the first
electronic plotting aid.
The SOLAS also gives the provision to allow the use of any other equipment which can possibly
perform all the functions of Radar and ARPA. But in practical, there is no other equipment
efficiently suitable for this purpose.

Now that we have discussed the foundations of Radar, we will specifically look into the
rudiments of Radar watchkeeping and the essentials of making use of Radar for collision
avoidance and early detection.

Image Credits: Aditya Mohan, Second Officer

Radar Watchkeeping

Radar Watchkeeping is the process of monitoring the Radar and making use of all its functions to
make a full appraisal of any situation and early detection in order to avoid collision of ships.

Monitoring Radar is not limited to one single observation, but multiple observations of range and
bearing will give better idea about the target’s course and speed and its track of movement
related to own ship.

After a series of quick observations, the target should be plotted and the target’s data should be
checked. The longer the plotting period the better will be the accuracy of the plot. The target
should be plotted and monitored till it has passed and clear off from your own ship.
As mentioned earlier, the most effective way to use Radar is to detect the target as early as
necessary (using range scales) and to plot it much before it approaches own vessel.

When the target is detected well in advance the actions to be taken by the ship will be a lot
easier. It will also help to avoid close quarter situations and big alterations to avoid collision.

While having multiple targets in a situation such as fishing traffic, it is best to tackle it by taking
actions one at a time rather than doing it all together. The targets with risk of collision should be
avoided before giving importance to others.

The Radar and ARPA should be used as an aid, the actions and course alterations of own ship
should be made with good seamanship in compliance with COLREGS.

Related Reading: The Ultimate List of Nautical Books for Deck Officers

Image credits: Aditya Mohan, Second Officer

The knowledge of Radar and ARPA controls is highly significant. A full advantage of the
equipment can be made only if the radar user has the right knowledge about it.

Therefore, the controls of Radar and ARPA should be thoroughly familiarised for using the
equipment effectively.

The OOW should be able to set-up and configure the radar settings if needed. Some of the
important basic Radar controls are

A) Clutter controls – Rain, Gain, Sea

B) Pulse Controls, Range Controls

C) Performance monitor

D) Manual Tuning.

In Radar watch keeping, it is very essential to understand the limitations of the equipment as
well. Over reliability on Radar and ARPA has been a reason for many accidents at sea. The radar
users should understand the fact that it is equipment that has its own limitations and
troubleshooting and the accuracy of the data largely depends on the performance standard of the
equipment. Timely check on the performance of the Radar is of high-priority. Some of the
important limitations of Radar are as follows:

 Small vessels, ice, other small floating objects may not be detected by the radar.
 Targets in the blind sector and shadow sector of the radar are not displayed.
 Range discrimination – two small targets on same bearing and slight range difference may be
shown as on target.
 Bearing discrimination – two small targets on same range and slight bearing difference may be
shown as one target.
 False echoes.

We know that every ship navigator relies on Radars and makes use of the equipment on a daily
basis. However we can’t be quite sure that we are making proper use of the radar unless we are
fully aware and familiarised with the equipment.

Over to you…

We certainly welcome more points as comments, if we missed any.

Related Reading : Important Points OOW Must Consider While Handling Ship’s Radar
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View Comments (2)

Jose Silva says:

October 1, 2018 at 1:16 am

Excelente,sigan avanzando.

NUMAN says:

March 6, 2019 at 4:16 am

Bro can u gve me the details for each n every function of radar display system on screen il be
very thankfull to u in advance

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