Radar and ARPA (Automatic

Radar Plotting Aids)

Introduction
Radar and ARPA (Automatic Radar Plotting Aids) are essential tools for safe
navigation and collision avoidance at sea. They provide valuable information to
mariners, including range and bearing, course, speed, and time and distance of
closest approach of other vessels. Here's how they are used for each of these
parameters:
Range and Bearing
Range: Radar provides the range to a target, which is the distance between your
vessel and the target. This is typically displayed in nautical miles (NM) on the
radar screen.
Bearing: Radar also provides the bearing to a target, which is the direction of the
target relative to your vessel, measured in degrees from your vessel's heading.
This is displayed on the radar screen as an azimuth angle.
Course
- ARPA systems can calculate the course of other ships by tracking their
positions over time. The course is the direction in which a ship is moving,
measured in degrees clockwise from true north. ARPA can show this information,
and it's often displayed as a vector or line on the radar screen.
Speed of Other Ship
- ARPA can calculate the speed of other ships by monitoring changes in their
positions over time. It can show the target's speed over the ground (SOG) in
knots. This information is valuable for assessing the potential for a collision and for
making navigational decisions
Time and Distance of Closest Approach (CPA):**
- ARPA systems can predict the time and distance of closest approach of a target
vessel that is on a collision course with your vessel. CPA is the point at which the
two vessels will be closest to each other. ARPA calculates CPA based on the
relative courses and speeds of the vessels.
- The time of CPA is the time remaining until the closest point of approach
occurs, and it's displayed in minutes.
- The distance of CPA is the minimum distance between the two vessels at CPA,
typically displayed in nautical miles.
Summary
For crossing, meeting, and overtaking situations, the ARPA system continuously
updates this information in real-time. Mariners can use this information to make
informed navigational decisions, such as altering course or speed to avoid
potential collisions. It's important to note that mariners should be properly trained
in the use of radar and ARPA systems and should follow international regulations
and guidelines, such as those outlined in the International Regulations for
Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs).