Marine radars are used to monitor the surrounding of a ship or a boat to check possible routes and to avoid manageable disasters. Marine radars have been serving as a navigational aid for many years. This article explains about marine radar, their functionality, and usage.
Marine Radars in Navigation
Radars are used in marine services as a navigational aid. For more than 6 decades, radar has been serving mankind. With technological advancement, radars are now part of all major security and disaster warning systems.
Now, radars are not just equipment in aircraft but also a major navigation device in marine transportation.
Functionality in Marine Services
Marine radars are used to detect ships or any kind of disturbances, to provide the horizontal angle between the ship’s direction and the true north known as bearing and to avoid a collision for a smooth sail.
Radars in marine services are electrical navigation equipment that propagates microwaves around the boat to collect data regarding targets and obstacles beyond human eye’s vision.
Radar is a navigation aid used for identifying, tracking and positioning of vessels in adherence with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea act, 1972, so as to safely navigate the ship.
Types of Marine Radars
Marine radars are broadly classified as X-band and S-band frequency.
X-band (10GHz): Used for obtaining sharp images and better resolution.
S-band (3GHz): Used in harsh weather for monitoring nearby activities.
The output result from the radar is shown on the plan position indicator that displays every activity in the radar range. The mariner can thus choose the best course to avoid hindrance in the navigation.
The tracking ship system has further been developed to include even boats. This means that even boat owners can be assured of their vessel’s safety while in the water.
Working of a Marine Radar
A parabolic radar transmits electromagnetic waves that are sent across a specific radius. The transmitted wave when received back, informs of possible targets within the ship or boat’s moving radius.
The frequency with which the wave is received and the time taken to receive back are then calculated to find the exact location of the target. The plan position indicator shows reflections that can be identified to get the actual distance between the ship/boat or the target.
Radar Display Screens
The plan position indicator screen is one of the major components of marine radar services in UAE. They are either LED or monochrome screens.
These panels are ruggedly built to withstand bad weather conditions and the screens are of high resolution which gives clear data regarding obstacles. Since these screens are waterproof, there is no threat of interruption to the ship radar system in times of rough weather.
Uses of Marine Radar
Marine radars are used to monitor and identify collision courses and hindrances in the path of navigation. They help to determine the target, speed, and course of navigation.
Collision Avoidance and Navigation
With the ability of the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS), the navigation crew on a ship or a boat can pinpoint locations and find the directions. This helps to avoid collision and to locate the vessel using lighthouses or buoys.
Radar marine services in Dubai are found to be more convenient in acquiring data, as it doesn’t need a boat to transmit the signal for the crew to monitor.
The miniature automatic radar plotting aid allows you to find a target, follow its course and determine the closest point of approach. A safe radius can be marked using a radar system and an alert device can be implemented when something penetrates the radius. This combination of functions is the ultimate in collision avoidance technology.
Security and Fishing Applications
Marine radar is used extensively for security purposes. They help in identifying targets in populated areas.
They are also used by fishermen to find fish and net them in abundance. Fish catchers can mark their desirable fishing ground using coordinates. They can use VRM (variable range marker) and EBL (electronic bearing line) to mark the location.
Modern radar systems are in sync with GPS which gives fishermen better catch.
Weather Forecasting and Disaster Management
Weather changes and incoming natural disasters can be determined using radars. You can decide your course by adjusting radar sensitivity.
Radar sensitivity allows you to check for weather conditions like rain or storm. This allows taking action appropriately, safeguarding the crew and passengers, and moving ahead tactically.
Providing the correct marine radar for your boat allows you to cruise tension-free, without constantly looking out for potential dangers.
Vessel Traffic System (VTS)
Just like a control room to watch airplanes at the airport, there is a Vessel Traffic System in the harbor. The system is operated by the port authority to improve ship traffic and to safeguard the coast. The system uses marine radars for communication between a port and the ship crew.
Features to Consider
Transmitter power and the beam angle are two important features you need to consider while choosing a radar for your boat.
Transmitter Power: Determines the sensitivity of the radar. The higher the power of a radar, the better it can see through dense fog and rain, and the greater the signal radius.
Beam Angle: Determined by the size of a radar antenna. A long antenna emits narrow beams while a short antenna emits wider beams. The antenna can be customized as per need.
Maritronics, one of the leading dealers of marine navigation products, sells a wide range of radars for marine services. Marine experts at Maritronics guide you to choose the best radar supplier in UAE for your boat.
When VSAT Is the Right Fit