Radar Navigation, ARPA Operational Training

Course Name: RADAR ARPA Certificate at Operational Level (A-II/1 & B-I/12) Course Aim: This course aims to provide students with the knowledge, skills & understanding on the operation of radar and automatic radar plotting aids. (ARPA). Ensuring that they are proficient and meet the required performance standards in accordance with the mandatory minimum requirements specified in Table A-II/1 & B-1/12 of the STCW code. This course was designed in accordance with IMO Model Course 1.07. Package: Daily lunch included Course Structure This course consists of 66.5 hours of tuition split over 8 days. Tuition will be given by means of classroom lectures, practical demonstration & simulator training. Unit: 1. Theory & Operation of a Marine Radar System Fundamental principles of radar Safe Distances Radiation hazards & precautions Characteristics of radar & factors affecting performance Factors external to the radar of which affect target detection Factors of which cause faulty interpretation Performance standards- Resolution A.477 (XII) 2. Radar Set Up & Operation in Accordance with Manufacturer’s Instructions Set up procedure & maintain radar display Measure range & bearing from a fixed object 3. Manual Radar Plotting Construct the relative motion (OA) triangle Determine course, speed & aspect of target ships Determine CPA & TCPA Recognition changes in course & speed Radar plot data reporting 4. Use of Radar for Safe Navigation & Collision avoidance Determine & fix position by radar Identification of aids & hazards to navigation Use of Parallel indexing techniques in radar navigation Application of COLREGS to avoid collision or close encounters 5. Theory & Operation of an ARPA system ARPA set up procedure System operational tests Acquisition of targets Tracking capabilities & limitations IMO ARPA performance standards 6. ARPA Display & Interpretation ARPA system display characteristics Errors in display data Interpretation errors of target data Risks of over-reliance on ARPA Information acquisition & application of COLREGS Entry Requirements Entry Requirements To be eligible to attend this course, students must fulfil the following requirements: Minimum period of 6 months at sea whilst gaining experience of bridge watchkeeping.