September 20, 2020

Automatic radar plotting aid (ARPA)

As mentioned previously, most radars today are equipped with ARPA. ARPA performs many of the functions covered in the radar module automatically and continuously. This saves the officer of the watch from having to do so manually and enables him to focus on his other duties. What are the capabilities […]
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September 20, 2020

Automatic identification system (AIS)

In the past a ship’s identity and details had to be obtained by establishing communications with it either by flashing light or radio. As can be imagined this was time consuming and in a heavy traffic area a bit hazardous. This has now been replaced by an automated system referred […]
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September 20, 2020

Global positioning system

The global positioning system utilises a constellation of 31 satellites orbiting the earth at very high altitudes. It was developed in 1973 and became operational in 1994. Initially only 24 satellites were used but in 2000 it was decided to upgrade the system to GPSIII. The system is owned by […]
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September 22, 2020

Electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS)

ECDIS is an integrated electronic navigation system which combines the data obtained from a number of electronic navigation sensors and displays it on a video display unit/monitor both in the form of a graphic image and alpha-numeric information. The sensors providing the data inputs to ECDIS are the following: The […]
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September 22, 2020

Radio direction finding system (marine radio beacons)

One of the systems which were used along the Namibian and South African coasts was a series of marine radio beacons situated along the coastline and which provided vessels navigating in our waters with a means of obtaining radio bearings. Six of these stations were situated in Namibia and twenty […]
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