Simplified Radar Plotting

Abstract

THIS PAPER TREATS briefly of the current dissatisfaction in the maritime industry with respect to the efficacy of the conventional means of radar plotting for collision avoidance and suggests possible feasible approaches which may be employed to alleviate the problem, particularly among users without resources for expensive and complex plotting equipments. The suggested means have the objective of working towards reducing the blunders frequently made even by experienced radar observers in the solution of the vector diagram through variations in technique as opposed to the introduction of new principles. A parallel objective is the presentation of the solution in a form which will tend to reduce the confusion frequently associated with relative motion. A desired byproduct is increased solution speed with reduction in the need for continuous attention to the radar plot, particularly for deck watch officers who have multiple duties and responsibilities, with little or no assistance from other qualified personnel. While the paper is directed primarily towards the problems of the merchant marine deck officer, the suggested techniques and their variations applied to radar plotting could prove of benefit to the naval officer. Expanded treatment is given of the alternative solutions presented in the 1968 Corrected Print of H. 0. Pub. No. 257, Radar Plotting Manual. The paper includes a discussion of the relative merits of geographical (navigational) and relative plots used in interpreting the data of relative motion radars. Simple means of rapidly converting a geographical plot to a relative motion plot are investigated. The opinions and assertions contained in this article are not to be construed as being officially endorsed by the Naval Oceanographic Office or the Naval Establishment.