Radar for Sailors and Boaters

Name: Radar for Sailors and Boaters
Rating: 4.9 (111 reviews)

Using radar to navigate more safely on the water

Highest Rated

Created byChristopher D. Nolan

Last updated 9/2022

English

What you'll learn

Understand the principles of radar and operational controls of a commercial marine radar.
Understand the basics of relative motion, speed, distance, and time to aid in collision avoidance.
Understand the Collision Avoidance Regulations (COLREGS) as pertaining to marine radar.
Understand the use of marine radar for navigation.

Course content

8 sections • 58 lectures • 7h 16m total length

Introduction to the Course5:35
Learn principles and history of marine radar and apply relative motion and vector math to support collision avoidance and navigation with tools like parallel indexing ranges and a maneuvering board.

Section Intro1:02
Fundamentals of Radar (Overview)12:59
This video describes the fundamental principles of the radar in a broad overview.
(Optional) Deep Dive into Radar Principles23:25
This video is maybe more detailed than is helpful, but provides a bit of a deep dive into a few characteristics of radar principles that might help mariners understand their radar set.
Equipment Factors Affecting Radar (Overview)16:19
This video provides an overview of equipment factors affecting radar performance.
External Factors Affecting Radar15:57
This video provides an overview of external factors affecting radar performance.
(Optional) Deep Dive into Factors Affecting Radar Performance14:00
This optional video is a deeper dive into factors affecting radar performance for those interested in more details.
Demonstration of FTC and STC (Rain and Sea Clutter)9:26
This video uses the radar simulator to show FTC and STC adjustments and how they can help you achieve a better radar picture.
Demonstration of Target Characteristics5:32
This video demonstrates target composition and shadows.

Section Intro1:35
Transmitting and Radar Presentations6:01
This video uses the Bridgemaster E Radar as an example for transmit and presentation modes.
Vectors and Target Trails8:10
This video uses the Bridgemaster E Radar to describe vectors and target trails.
Relative vs. True Vector Example3:24
This video uses the Bridgemaster E Radar as a showcase for relative vs. true vectors.
8 Step Tuning Process9:34
This video describes an 8 step tuning process that would work on any radar system.
Menu and Centering4:35
This video uses the Bridgemaster E Radar to describe menu items and centering process.
Other Operational Controls and EBL/VRM9:46
This video describes the EBL and VRM functions as well as other menu items on the Bridgemaster E Radar.
Introduction to AIS and ARPA10:08
This video introduces AIS and ARPA, which are modern tools for collision avoidance.
Target Acquisition and AZ Guard Zones4:23
This video describes acquiring targets for the ARPA using the Bridgemaster E as well as Guard Zones.

Section Introduction1:27
Master relative motion to understand how a vessel's course and speed affect distance and collision risk, and explore closest point of approach along with head-on, crossing, and overtaking scenarios.
Fundamentals of Speed, Distance, and Time12:04
This video discusses the basics of speed distance and time for later purposes.
Introduction to the Maneuvering Board5:33
This video introduces the maneuvering board, which is something you may or may not choose to use as a boater.
Vectors and Maneuvering Board Lingo8:43
This video discusses the basics of vector math and how it works on the maneuvering board and in radar theory.
Relative Motion and Closest Point of Approach9:18
This video discusses relative motion and CPA, and how they are important to collision avoidance.
Speed and Direction of Relative Motion on a Maneuvering Board6:38
This video does an example problem on a manuevering board to show the importance of relative motion.
Demonstration (Dead Ahead - Radar)10:15
This video has a demonstration on the radar to show relative motion.
Demonstration #1 (Dead Ahead - Maneuvering Board)3:44
This is the same demonstration as the last video, but on a maneuvering board.
Demonstration #2 (Reciprocal Courses - Radar)8:42
This is another demonstration in a different situation on the radar.
Demonstration #2 (Reciprocal Courses - Maneuvering Board)3:59
This is the same situation as the last video, just on the maneuvering board.
Demonstration #3 (Same Course/Speed - Radar)5:47
This is a final demonstration, for vessels on the same course and speed as you - no relative motion!

Section Introduction1:58
This video describes an overview of the Rules we will discuss in this section. Be sure to download the resources for your library as well!
Rule 2 Discussion2:46
Rule 4 Discussion3:01
Rule 5 Discussion3:16
maintain a proper lookout at all times as a system, not a person, using sight, hearing, and all available means such as radar and AIS to assess risk of collision.
Rule 6 Discussion8:26
Explains rule 6 safe speed for vessels and how radar factors—visibility, traffic density, maneuverability, radar characteristics and limitations, range scale, antenna height, weather, and potential undetected small vessels—shape decisions.
Rule 7 Discussion7:08
Explore rule 7 on risk of collision and how radar, including long-range scanning and plotting, provides early warning to act when bearing is constant and range decreases.
Rule 8 Discussion7:02
Rule 19 Discussion9:39
Radar Demonstration of Head On Situation6:31
This demonstration uses the radar simulator to discuss a head on situation at sea.
Radar Demonstration of Crossing Situation6:53
This demonstration uses the radar simulator to discuss a crossing situation at sea.
Radar Demonstration of Overtaking Situation6:33
This demonstration uses the radar simulator to discuss overtaking situations at sea.
COLREGS Quiz

Introduction to Radar Navigation14:06
This is an introduction to the key elements of radar navigation.
The Radar Fix6:48
In this video we discuss fixing your position using the radar.
Turn Ranges4:31
In this video we give a demonstration of turn ranges on the radar for precision navigation.
Tangent Bearings4:19
In this video we discuss the use of tangent bearings in navigation.
Parallel Indexing7:00
In this video we discuss parallel indexing which is a useful tool in maritime navigation.
Radio Beacon (RACON)4:07
This video describes RACON marks.
Search and Rescue Transponder (SART)2:54
This video discusses SAR Transponders.

Section Introduction0:49
Explore advanced techniques on the maneuvering board, including contact calculations for course, speed, and time, and compute the closest point of approach to avoid or intercept vessels.
CPA Discussion9:25
This video describes theory behind closest point of approach (CPA).
CPA Calculations10:21
This video completes a CPA calculation for bearing, time, and range.
Course and Speed Discussion14:51
This video describes calculating course and speed.
Course and Speed Calculation (Transfer)9:22
This video demonstrates transfer plotting on the maneuvering board.
Course and Speed Calculation (Rapid)6:52
This video demonstrates rapid radar plotting methods on the maneuvering board.
Avoidance (Transfer)12:49
This video describes avoidance of vessels with risk of collision.
Avoidance (Rapid)4:16
This video solves similar problems as the last, but using the rapid method.
Intercept8:33
This video describes intercept calculations.
Trail Maneuvers and Course Change Demonstration9:04
This video shows a demonstration of trial maneuver and course changes on the relative motion line on radar sets.

Requirements

No experience is required, although learners with some time on the water or using a radar will benefit most from this course.

Description

This course is derived from a commercial course for Radar Observer for professional mariners, but tailored to an audience that suits all sailors and boaters.

The course discusses the following concepts:

Overview of radar theory and factors affecting radar performance.
Operational controls for a radar, demonstrated by the Bridgemaster-E radar set, which is similar to many radar sets in modern navigation.
Fundamentals of relative motion, speed, distance, and time, to help you better understand the power of radar as a navigational and collision avoidance tool.
The Collision Avoidance Regulations (COLREGS) as pertaining to radar.
The use of radar as a navigational tool for marine navigation.
Advanced concepts of maneuvering boards and vector analysis for determining the course, speed, and closest point of approach of a nearby radar target.

This course uses the Bridgemaster-E Radar and a maritime simulator to describe concepts and problems in maritime navigation.

The course is based on the International Maritime Organization's requirements for "Radar at the Operational Level" and is based on domestic USA courses such as "Radar Observer Unlimited" which often cost over $1000 dollars. The course is distilled and targeted for all mariners, but still includes challenging concepts and advanced details about radar and collision avoidance - it is not a cakewalk! The course does not discuss installation, power management, or operation of small recreational radars but instead uses commercial and professional discussions to help you understand radar at a fundamental level - helping you operate ANY radar more efficiently.

The course is presented by Captain Chris Nolan, a licensed mariner at 1600/3000 Tons upon all oceans and a professional maritime instructor at a certified maritime training provider in the United States. Chris also sails as captain of tall ships in the United States and serves as a Coast Guard reservist.

Who this course is for:

This course is intended for recreational or commercial mariners, sailors and boaters looking to understand more about marine radar. This course is taught to a professional standard, but tailored for the audience.

Radar for Sailors and Boaters

What you'll learn

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Course content

Introduction1 lecture • 6min

Principles of Radar8 lectures • 1hr 39min

The Radar as a Tool for Mariners (Bridgemaster E Radar Example)9 lectures • 58min

Radar as a Tool for Relative Motion11 lectures • 1hr 16min

Radar as a Tool for Collision Avoidance11 lectures • 1hr 3min

Radar as a Tool for Maritime Navigation7 lectures • 44min

Advanced Techniques on Maneuvering Boards (Optional Content)10 lectures • 1hr 26min

Conclusion and Takeaways1 lecture • 5min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: