Aids To Navigation Radar I Experiment Principal Findings PDF Download

This report describes an experiment conducted as a component of the United States Coast Guard's Performance of Aids to Navigation Project. The experiment evaluates the efficacy of floating aids (buoys) equipped with passive reflectors and the use of radar (3 cm) in a limited visibility. The following variables were evaluated: visibility (1-1/2 nm, 1/4 nm, zero nm); ship size (30,000 dwt versus 80,000 dwt); buoy arrangement in the turn and straight channel segment; wind and current. In addition, comparisons to previous experiments in this project were made to evaluate differences between piloting with radar in low visibility and piloting in adequate visibility without radar. Differences in performance were most evident in the turn region while differences in the tracekeeping regions were less noticeable. In the turn region, performance suffered more in the low visibility conditions with radar than in the adequate visibility conditions without radar. Performance in the radar piloting scenarios was also worse in the lowest visibility condition in the turn. Pilots performed better with a smaller ship and with aid arrangements having higher density spacing. Finally, style differences in the use of radar were found and related to differences in ship track performance. (Author).