Fowey Maritime Centre RYA Radar Course summary
The aim of the course is to give an understanding of how to use the safety equipment carried on small boats, including a practical session in launching and boarding a liferaft in the local swimming pool.
Fowey Maritime Centre - RRYA Radar Course summary
RYA Radar Course summary
To give an insight to the uses of radar, to assist in navigation and aid in collision avoidance.
Pre-course knowledge
None required.
Duration
1 day non-residential.
The Course
Basic understanding of radar wave propagation
- Conditions giving rise to abnormal propagation
Radar set components
- Function and correct use of controls
- Correct setting up procedure
Target definition and discrimination
- Spot size, pulse length and beam width
- Target characteristics, size, shape, material
- False echoes
- Shadow sectors, shadow diagram
Radar reflectors
- Passive and active
Types of radar display
- Azimuth stabilization
Radar plotting
- The use of radar to avoid a close quarter situation
- Appreciation of IRPCS, action to be taken in reduced visibility
- General precautions and action to be taken in fog
Use of radar as an aid to navigation
- Radar-conspicuous targets, need for positive identification
- Parallel indexing (if provided)
Accuracy in range and bearing
- PPI distortion. Non-linearity
- Heading marker alignment
- Checking accuracy of VRM, EBL etc
