RYA Radar Courses

An electrical gadget known as a radar can determine the bearing and distance of solid objects by measuring the distance between them. A plan view constitutes the presentation of the information that may be seen on a digital screen. It illustrates the locations of things like land, navigation markings, and other vessels, among other things.

The radar sends out pulses of high-frequency radio waves and then listens for the echoes that result when the energy from these pulses is reflected back from solid objects.

In radar, the antenna, also known as the “scanner,” rotates continuously so that it can determine the direction from which returning waves are received. Radio waves move at a nearly constant pace, which enables the device to compute how far away the item is. Distance may also be measured using this property of radio waves.

Radar has a wide variety of applications beyond only avoiding collisions. You may define coastlines with it, look out for storms, use it to pinpoint your location, and utilise it for general pilotage. In addition, the development of AIS makes it possible to track and hail shipping, which, in the end, assists in the navigation of coastal and offshore waters.

Collision Avoidance

Radars may be used to identify land, ships, boats, navigation markings, and buoys; in some cases, waves can also be picked up by a radar. At a distance that’s not too far away, you may anticipate seeing land and ships, but you should never assume that all of the smaller vessels will appear. It is dependent on the nature of the object’s composition, as well as its dimensions, orientation, and form.

After you have finished the RYA Radar Course, you will be able to map moving and non-moving objects to help you avoid collisions. This will be possible because you will be able to use radar.

Using Radar to Determine Position

Using a hand-bearing compass, the three point fix, a traditional navigation method, determines the bearing of three landmarks and plots them on a map. The Electronic Bearing Line (ELB) on your radar may also be used to perform a three-point fix in addition to the hand-bearing compass.

On the RYA Radar Course, your teacher will walk you through this process.

Pilotage

When the weather or the time of day reduces visibility, a radar system is an invaluable piloting tool. The RYA Radar Course teaches students how to use the equipment, although they are strongly advised to practise reading the digital display during the day.

Like traditional eyeball piloting, radar piloting entails aiming towards the centre of a designated channel leading to open water or aiming for one of many buoys along a buoyed channel. However, the Radar Course makes it quite evident that you must be cognizant of the constraints of radar pilotage.

The Automatic Identification System (AIS) for Satellites was developed to provide ships the ability to monitor and be monitored by other forms of marine traffic. Local traffic can be observed on an AIS-enabled chartplotter or computer display if the vessel is equipped with a dedicated automatic identification system (AIS) transponder. It’s possible that port officials will have receivers at their disposal, which would allow them to monitor local traffic without giving away their precise position.

Having an automatic identification system (AIS) in addition to your radar can be of further assistance in avoiding collisions by detecting other maritime boats and identifying them to hail if it becomes essential to do so.

It is advantageous to have both of the above devices on board for coastal and offshore navigation. However, it is critical that you understand how to utilise them appropriately as well as their restrictions. They do not replace conventional chart work, but they do, like GPS devices, aid in voyage planning and navigation while sailing.

The RYA Radar Training is a one-day shore-based introduction course that teaches you how to appropriately read radar and operate controls.

According to the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea, if you have a radar, you must know how to utilise it properly. These requirements are met by this RYA specialised short course.