MT-3222
Automatic Radar Plotting Aids (ARPA)
Course Description
This course is designed to meet all ARPA knowledge-based assessments and the fourteen performance-based assessments, which form part of the requirements for Officer in Charge of a Navigation Watch (STCW 95 Table A-II/1). Students who successfully complete the course will be able to choose an appropriate mode of display, select plotting graphics controls suitable to the circumstances, make appropriate use of operational alarms, acquire and track those targets which present a potential threat of collision, extract the information needed on course, speed, and closest point of approach to enable early action and prevent a close-quarters situation, and use ARPA to confirm and monitor their actions. Students will be aware of the dangers of over reliance on automatic acquisition and tracking of targets and on operational alarms. They will also be aware of the performance standards set out in IMO Assembly resolution A.422(XI) and factors (including errors in course and speed inputs) which may affect accuracy and the correct functioning of the ARPA. This course satisfies the requirements for a USCG ARPA endorsement. [Lab time required]
Learning Objectives
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following STCW elements:
- OICNW-A3.1 Knowledge of the fundamentals of radar and automatic radar plotting aids (ARPA)
- OICNW-A3.2 factors affecting performance and accuracy
- OICNW-A3.2 setting up and maintaining displays
- OICNW-A3.2 range and bearing; course and speed of other ships; time and distance of closest approach of crossing, meeting overtaking ships
- OICNW-A3.2 identification of critical echoes; detecting course and speed changes of other ships; effect of changes in own ship’s course or speed or both
- OICNW-A3.3 Principal types of ARPA, their display characteristics, performance standards and the dangers of over-reliance on ARPA
- OICNW-A3.4 system performance and accuracy, tracking capabilities and limitations, and processing delays
- OICNW-A3.4 use of operational warnings and system tests
- OICNW-A3.4 methods of target acquisition and their limitations
- OICNW-A3.4 true and relative vectors, graphic representation of target information and danger areas
- OICNW-A3.4 deriving and analysing information, critical echoes, exclusion areas and trial manoeuvres
Demonstrate proficiency in the following skills:
- OICNW-3-1E Determine risk of collision
- OICNW-3-2A Set up and maintain an ARPA display
- OICNW-3-2B Manual target acquisition
- OICNW-3-2C Establish an exclusion area
- OICNW-3-2D Set vector characteristics
- OICNW-3-2E Designate targets
- OICNW-3-2F Cancel targets
- OICNW-3-2G Target history
- OICNW-3-2H Establish CPA and TCPA
- OICNW-3-2I Establish alarm area
- OICNW-3-2J Trial Maneuver
- OICNW-3-2K Switch stabilization modes
- OICNW-3-2L Navigation lines
- OICNW-3-2M Determine set and drift