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 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 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. Class is held weekly in the Integrated Navigation Lab (INL) simulator with students working individually at each student station. Classwork is supplemented by practical weekly labs in the Integrated Navigation Lab (INL) simulator with students working individually at each station. [Lab time required]
This course consists of one 1-hour lecture and one 2-hour lab per week for a semester with practrical assessments and a comprehensive final examination.
###Entrance requirements
Successful completion of MT-3122 Radar Observer Certification.
This course is a pre-requisite for MT-3224 Electronic Chart Display & Information Systems (ECDIS) and is a co-requisite for MT-3231 Applied Shiphandling.
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‑3‑2A Set up and maintain an ARPA display
- OICNW‑3‑1E Determine risk of collision
- 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
###Topics
- Course Introduction
- Review of RADAR plotting techniques
- Principle ARPA systems
- Target acquisition
- Tracking Operators
- Capabilities and limitations
- Setting up and maintaining displays
- Processing delays, representation of Operators
- Target information, alarms and warnings
- Trial maneuver, obtaining
- Speed input & Determining Set and drift.
- System Operational Tests & Operators
- Risk of over reliance on ARPA
- Obtaining information from ARPA
- Navigation Lines
- Navigation techniques
- Errors of interpretation
- RADAR/ARPA assisted casualties Case Studies
Other Objectives
- Selection of an appropriate mode of display
- Selection of plotting graphics controls suitable to the circumstances
- Making appropriate use of operational alarms
- Acquiring and tracking those targets which present a potential threat of collision
- Extraction of the information needed on course, speed and nearest approach to enable early action to be taken to avoid a close quarters situation
- Making use of ARPA to confirm and monitor their actions.