Using Radars in Marine Industry - 20 Uses of a Marine Radar

The use of marine radar has gained immense popularity over the last few decades given they have improved so much. Radar is an inseparable tool marine equipment today that every onboard ship must have in order to navigate safely. A radar device helps a ship detect, track and locate its targets as it navigates through one point to another.

Whether you are using an open array radar or a radar dome, the system can be used in a variety of ways. The list below explains top twenty uses of radar technology in the marine industry. Let’s get started:

Major Benefits of Using Marine Radars:

1.    Tracking: A radar tracks the movement of any identified thing within the range as well as tells the speed to give an estimate of how fast the object is approaching.

2.    Calculate Distance: The Doppler frequency helps find the range and bearing of any incoming object towards the vessel. The info is then used to determine the speed and course of incoming target.

3.    Navigation: Units like Garmin radar, Raymarine radar, and all radar systems navigate their own vessel and the course they are taking. The radar screen shows data about targets apart from own vessel and this info is then used to help in smooth navigation.
4.    Positioning: A radar system locates the ship using terrestrial objects such  as buoys, lighthouses, and other navigational marks that assist in safe navigation as well as collision avoidance.

5.    Course Determination: A marine radar utilizes high-frequency radio waves to guide the sailor control the ship even in bad weather terrain, in the dark, in night, or in situations where there is a dense fog. The radar helps make sure the vessel can navigate securely eliminating any possible collision before it’s too late.

6.    Weather Forecasting: A marine radar system like the FURUNO radar system or SI-TEX radar system forecasts the weather while moving along the ocean. Doppler radar can even detect how fast a storm is moving and specific time it may take to hit the obstacle.
7.    Detect Unidentified Objects: Radar antennae when mounted on a ship are capable of detecting an approaching object, including an airplane, other ship, or even a missile. It provides with timely warning to the sailor so he/she can make the right decision before meeting a mishap.

8.    Pollution: Many scientists use LIDAR system to keep a check on water pollution. They normally note it down to study the components and the extent of water pollution on the water body in consideration.

9.    Sonar Navigation: While navigating across oceans or underwater, submarines often make use of Sonar technology (i.e. Sound Navigation and Ranging) that utilizes sound to detect objects rather than depending on radio waves. A radar system is used while moving around the ocean surface in collaboration with a sonar system.
10.    Integration: A marine radar package is often integrated with other marine instruments, for example the ECDIS with the goal to offer accurate data to the sailors.

11.    Differentiation: Radars can not only detect the moving objects but also they are able to differentiate between several targets while navigating through a high traffic density region.

12.    Parallel Indexing: The technique is used by submarines to ensure safety while navigating from a rock or a shoreline. It assists in controlling progress of the ship and minimizing cross track distance.

13.    Check Coastal Traffic: Ships use Vessel Traffic Service for controlling coastal traffic. The VTS is a traffic monitoring system that is used for keeping a track of the ships movements as well as make sure safe navigation in a smaller geographical area. Here, a small boat radar system can be of great use.

14.    Reduce Workload: A radar helps the Officer on Watch make independent decisions on deciding the best course for the ship. When on the bridge, the OOW must closely monitor the ships navigation & report to the captain when the ship is any danger or when the radar has identified a target.

15.    Cut Down the Cost: Marine radars help the vessel owner to reduce the cost of power as well as electricity. Not only they are user-friendly but also radars help regulate the power consumption.
16.    AIS Report: Automatic Identification System should give additional info to radar devices and decrease the OOA workload by automatically giving data to coastal stations on the traffic.

17.    X-band and S-band Radar: The X-band marine radars are utilized to offer clearer images and better resolution so the OOW can have a better watch while the S-band makes sure the vessel navigates smoothly no matter if it’s raining or dense fog.

18.    Timely Warning: Radar positioning comes handy for providing info regarding the closest point of approach (CPA) and the time of closest point of approach (TCPA) on other ships. Radars can additionally indicate bearings of a target.

19.    Control: A marine radar comes with advanced controls that let you customize different elements like the brightness and contrast of images shown on the display screen.

20.    Sea State: A radar system is often used for measuring the height of waves and estimate the safety level. These can likewise be utilized for measuring the rise of sea water level.

Conclusion


So these are top twenty uses of a radar system for the marine industry. Apart from the ones mentioned above, there are many more advantages of having a radar onboard. You can opt for the best marine electronics package of 2018, like the Garmin marine radar package, Garmin open array radar, Garmin dome radar, and other small boat radar systems by the brand or you  can pick Raymarine radars and accessories like radar cable for best results.

Each branded radar has features of its own that are sure to make your voyage on water smooth, safe, and simple. All you need to do is explore all your options on the web and choose a radar device or radar package that best fits your needs. There are many online portals where you will find great deal of marine electronics and radar for sale. So don’t hold back till you actually experience a nightmare. Get your vessel secured with a reliable radar today!

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