Radar Basics: Navigation and Watchkeeping

 Course Description

Radar is an elementary mean of positioning. It provides an easy and precise capability to fix a position and determine how the vessel moves in relation to other targets. The accurate setting of the radar is imperative for correct usage and needs to be considered when taking over the watch.

Needless to say, radar is only one step when taking over the watch. Therefore, it needs to be seen in the context of the other bridge equipment and traditional watchkeeping procedures.

 Course Objectives

The aim of the course is to enable navigators to efficiently integrate radar into their bridge watch. It provides guidance at all crucial steps, from taking over the bridge and setting up the radar to watchkeeping, navigation and even SAR use.

 Target Audience

Officers who are looking for an easy-to-follow supplement or refresher to their radar and ARPA courses and anyone requiring knowledge of the general features of radar.

 Course Structure

Module 1: Setting up the Radar

Module 2: Radar Navigation

Module 3: Watchkeeping

Module 4: Search and rescue with Radar and AIS

 Learning Outcomes

Module 1: Familiarizes the learner with the essential settings and tools of radar, from tune and gain to orientation modes and vectors. It provides background information to ensure their advantages and limitations are understood.
Module 2: Builds on classical navigational techniques, such as positioning by range or bearing, in combination with the specific radar tools that can be used to facilitate those techniques.
Module 3: Puts radar in the context of a navigational watch, enhancing the learner’s capability to adjust it to the specific requirements of the situation.
Module 4: Provides an overview of radar and AIS based SAR devices, to ensure their detection during navigation.

 Prerequisites

Required: Basic nautical knowledge.

Note: It is not necessary for you to have a CoC as a navigational watch officer; however, an understanding of terrestrial and electronic navigation is recommended.

 Course Characteristics

Course Access: 90 days
Timeframe: Approx. 1 hour
Language: English
Certificate: Yes (valid indefinite)
Strong Authentication: No
Daily test attempts: 2
Min % of progress on GuideMe to access TestMe: 70%
Min % of passing the TestMe: 70%
Total test time: 60 min

 Technical Requirements

We recommend the use of a wired internet connection when taking this course. Connection via mobile internet is also possible; however, it is considered unstable and might cause the failure of your exam.

Supported Internet Browsers: 

Operating Systems:

• Microsoft Windows
• Apple macOS
• Linux,
• Android
• Apple's iOS