Training Circular No. 5 of 2004

Sub: Guidelines - Automatic Radar Plotting Aids (ARPA) Coruse

Maritime safety and efficiency is of utmost concern to the Directorate General of Shipping(DGS), the constituted authority of the Government of India for all maritime affairs.

It was noticed that some training institutes barely met the minimum standards set by the Directorate, while other provided training facilities that were world class. In order to bring about uniformity of training, amenities and equipment provided by all, old guidelines were revised and new ones formulated. This was done by the DGS in consultation with the training institutes and employers (shipowners and manning agencies). Draft guidelines were displayed on the website of the DGS and comments invited from interested parties, regardless of the position or office held.

Meetings of interested parties were held and modification made to the draft guidelines. In keeping with Government policy, the guidelines have been made in as transparent manner as practicable. The final guidelines for Automatic Radar Plotting Aids (ARPA) Course is attached herewith.

It is expected that training institutes would follow these guidelines in letter and spirit. The above guidelines shall come into force w.e.f. 01.05.2004.

This issues with the approval of the Director General of Shipping and ex-officio Addl. Secretary to the Government of India.

Sd/-

(Naresh Salecha)

Sr.Dy. Director General of Shipping

GUIDELINES FOR THE CONDUCT OF 

AUTOMATIC RADAR PLOTTING AIDS (ARPA) COURSE

ISSUED BY

THE DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF SHIPPING

To avoid unnecessary repetition, reference has been made herein to DGS Order no: 1 of 2003 (Guidelines for the conduct of Pre-Sea Training courses for Merchant Navy) wherever appropriate.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. BASIC DETAILS OF THE COURSE
   1. Aims:
   2. Objectives:
   3. Application:
2. QUALIFICATION & ELIGIBILITY OF STUDENTS
   1. Entry standards:
   2. Required attendance:
   3. Course intake limitations:
3. INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENT
4. COURSE DETAILS
   1. Course duration
   2. Course outline
   3. Detailed Teaching Syllabus
5. HOLIDAYS
6. FACULTY REQUIREMENT
   1. Qualifications and experience of course in charge:
   2. Qualifications and experience of faculty members:
   3. Training of Trainers & Assessors Course:
   4. Visiting faculty members:
   5. Age limit for regular faculty members:
7. FACULTY STRENGTH
8. COURSE DURATION
9. ASSESSMENT
10. QUALITY STANDARDS
11. INSPECTIONS
12. FEES TO GOVT.

Annexure 1 - Additional equipment, etc

Annexure 2 ' Course outline

Annexure 3 ' Detailed teaching syllabus

RADAR OBSERVER SIMULATOR COURSE (ROSC)

1. BASIC DETAILS OF THE COURSE

   1. Aims

   This course provides training in the basic theory and use of radar for officers in charge of a navigational watch. It is based on the standards of competence as per Section A-II/1 of STCW 95.

   Appendix M-II/1C of META Manual Vol. II & IMO Model Course 1.07 should be used in the preparation of material for this course.

   2. Objectives:

   A student successfully completing this course and meeting the required performance standards will recognise when radar should be in use; will select a suitable mode and range setting for the circumstances; will be able to set the controls for optimal performance; and will be aware of the limitations of the equipment in detecting targets and in terms of accuracy.

   3. Application:

   Compliance with these guidelines shall be mandatory for all institutes from 1st May 2004.

2. QUALIFICATION & ELIGIBILITY OF STUDENTS

   1. Entry standards:

   This course is intended for students prior to certification as officers in charge of a navigational watch. Before being admitted to this course, students should have completed a minimum period of twelve months at sea.

   2. Required attendance:

   100% attendance is required for successful completion of the course. However, in exceptional circumstances, a student is allowed absence of up to one day subject to his attending the lectures missed out during the next course at the same institute. The institute shall keep proper records of such cases and intimate Chairman of respective Academic Council.

   3. Course intake limitations:

   The number of students shall not exceed 24 per class.

   Course intake will be limited to not more than three students per available radar display to allow each student sufficient practice in the operation of the equipment.

3. INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENT

   1. The Radar Simulator equipment for this course shall be of a type approved or accepted by the DGS.
   2. Paper charts for the exercise areas must be available.
   3. Each Radar set shall be inside a soundproof cubicle (called an own ship) such that the discussions and orders given in one cubicle cannot be heard by other own ships.
   4. Each own ship cubicle shall be not less than 4m2 in area and have a chart table of appropriate size, chart table lamp and charts of the simulation areas.
   5. There shall be a classroom of not less than 1.5m2 per sanctioned strength of students for use for lectures and plotting practice.
   6. Individual table (not less than 60 cm x 45 cm) and chair shall be provided per student. Writing tablets (chairs with attached writing surfaces) will not suffice for this course as radar plotting requires use of a textbook, plotting sheet, calculator and drawing/writing instruments.
   7. Plotting Sheets, Parallel Rulers, Dividers, Compasses, etc.
   8. Video Films/CDs/DVDs including "Bridge Watchkeeping Procedures".
   9. Physical requirement for classrooms, black/white boards, overhead projector, screen, notice board, faculty room, study environment and teaching equipment etc are to be provided as per DGS order 1 of 2003.
   10. The institute shall have a library-cum-reading room of not less than 36 m2 in area
   11. Additional infrastructure, equipment, Training Aids, Video Cassettes/CDs/DVDs and Reference Books etc., required for this course are as per Annexure 1

4. COURSE DETAILS

   1. Course duration: 10 days
   2. Course outline: As per Annexure 2
   3. Detailed Teaching Syllabus: As per Annexure 3

5. HOLIDAYS

   1. Sundays shall be holidays.
   2. Independence Day and Republic Day shall be compulsory holidays.
6. FACULTY REQUIREMENT
   1. Qualifications and experience of course in charge:
   2. Certificate of competency, issued or recognised by the Government of India, as Master of a Foreign Going Ship

   And

   3. At least 5 years service on Merchant ships

   And

   4. At least one year in the rank of Master

   Or

   5. One year as Chief Officer and one year as regular (full time) faculty member in ROSC, ARPA Course, RANSCO, SMS Course, Pre-sea degree courses for deck cadets or Competency Courses.

RADAR OBSERVER SIMULATOR COURSE (ROSC)

1. BASIC DETAILS OF THE COURSE

   1. Aims

   This course provides training in the basic theory and use of radar for officers in charge of a navigational watch. It is based on the standards of competence as per Section A-II/1 of STCW 95.

   Appendix M-II/1C of META Manual Vol. II & IMO Model Course 1.07 should be used in the preparation of material for this course.

   2. Objectives:

   A student successfully completing this course and meeting the required performance standards will recognise when radar should be in use; will select a suitable mode and range setting for the circumstances; will be able to set the controls for optimal performance; and will be aware of the limitations of the equipment in detecting targets and in terms of accuracy.

   3. Application:

   Compliance with these guidelines shall be mandatory for all institutes from 1st May 2004.

2. QUALIFICATION & ELIGIBILITY OF STUDENTS

   1. Entry standards:

   This course is intended for students prior to certification as officers in charge of a navigational watch. Before being admitted to this course, students should have completed a minimum period of twelve months at sea.

   2. Required attendance:

   100% attendance is required for successful completion of the course. However, in exceptional circumstances, a student is allowed absence of up to one day subject to his attending the lectures missed out during the next course at the same institute. The institute shall keep proper records of such cases and intimate Chairman of respective Academic Council.

   3. Course intake limitations:

   The number of students shall not exceed 24 per class.

   Course intake will be limited to not more than three students per available radar display to allow each student sufficient practice in the operation of the equipment.

3. INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENT

   1. The Radar Simulator equipment for this course shall be of a type approved or accepted by the DGS.
   2. Paper charts for the exercise areas must be available.
   3. Each Radar set shall be inside a soundproof cubicle (called an own ship) such that the discussions and orders given in one cubicle cannot be heard by other own ships.
   4. Each own ship cubicle shall be not less than 4m2 in area and have a chart table of appropriate size, chart table lamp and charts of the simulation areas.
   5. There shall be a classroom of not less than 1.5m2 per sanctioned strength of students for use for lectures and plotting practice.
   6. Individual table (not less than 60 cm x 45 cm) and chair shall be provided per student. Writing tablets (chairs with attached writing surfaces) will not suffice for this course as radar plotting requires use of a textbook, plotting sheet, calculator and drawing/writing instruments.
   7. Plotting Sheets, Parallel Rulers, Dividers, Compasses, etc.
   8. Video Films/CDs/DVDs including "Bridge Watchkeeping Procedures".
   9. Physical requirement for classrooms, black/white boards, overhead projector, screen, notice board, faculty room, study environment and teaching equipment etc are to be provided as per DGS order 1 of 2003.
   10. The institute shall have a library-cum-reading room of not less than 36 m2 in area
   11. Additional infrastructure, equipment, Training Aids, Video Cassettes/CDs/DVDs and Reference Books etc., required for this course are as per Annexure 1

4. COURSE DETAILS

   1. Course duration: 10 days
   2. Course outline: As per Annexure 2
   3. Detailed Teaching Syllabus: As per Annexure 3

5. HOLIDAYS

   1. Sundays shall be holidays.
   2. Independence Day and Republic Day shall be compulsory holidays.
6. FACULTY REQUIREMENT
   1. Qualifications and experience of course in charge:
   2. Certificate of competency, issued or recognised by the Government of India, as Master of a Foreign Going Ship

   And

   3. At least 5 years service on Merchant ships

   And

   4. At least one year in the rank of Master

   Or

   5. One year as Chief Officer and one year as regular (full time) faculty member in ROSC, ARPA Course, RANSCO, SMS Course, Pre-sea degree courses for deck cadets or Competency Courses.
7. Qualifications and experience of faculty members:
   1. Qualifications and experience of faculty members:

   And

   2. At least 5 years service on Merchant ships of which at least one year should have been at management level.
   3. Radio Officer with Class II Certificate of Proficiency and with seagoing experience on merchant ships may be permitted to take classroom lectures pertaining to technical aspects of Radar.
8. Training of Trainers & Assessors Course:

As per DGS Order no: 1 of 2003.

Visiting faculty members:

Qualifications and experience of visiting faculty members should be the same as that of regular faculty as specified above

Age limit for regular faculty members:

As per DGS Order no: 1 of 2003.

9. FACULTY STRENGTH

Not less than one Master Mariner (inclusive of the course-in-charge who shall be on regular basis) for every three own ships.

Additional faculty member/s (Master Mariner/s) may be on visiting basis.

A minimum of 50% of the entire portion must be covered by regular faculty.

10. COURSE DURATION

A total of 33 hours of lectures, practical training and assessment.

11. ASSESSMENT

At the end of the course, there shall be assessment by practicals & oral examination on operation of ARPA and on ROR.

12. QUALITY STANDARDS

As per DGS Order no: 1 of 2003.

13. INSPECTIONS

As per DGS Order no: 1 of 2003.

14. FEES TO GOVT.

As per DGS Order no: 1 of 2003.

TEACHING AIDS

Equipment

The following equipment shall be made available for conducting the course

Video Films/CDs/DVDs

The available video cassettes / films shall include following films:

Publications

For implementation of this course, Institutes should, for reference and guidance use appropriate books and publications, which may include:

1. IMO Model Course 1.07 ' Radar Navigation, Radar Plotting and Use of Arpa
2. IMO Performance Standards for ARPA
3. The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1995 (STCW 1995).
4.  
5. Shipborne Radar & ARPA by Capt. H. Subramaniam.
6. Radar Observers Handbook For Merchant Navy Officers by W. Burger
7. Radar & Electronic Navigation by Sonnenberg.
8. ARPA by A. Bole

Course outline

DETAILED TEACHING SYLLABUS

Learning Objectives (hours include lectures and simulator practicals)

1. Description an ARPA System (6 hours)
   1. ARPA Systems display characteristics (0.5 hours)

   describes different display characteristics:

   Vectors

   Graphics

   digital read-out

   potential points of collision (PPC)

   predicted areas of danger (PAD)

   describes the different ways in which targets may be acquired

   2. IMO Performance Standards for ARPA (0.5 hours)

   states IMO performance standards for ARPA relating to accuracy

   states the requirements for acquisition and tracking of targets

   lists the operational warnings required

   lists data which should be available in alphanumeric form

   describes the effects of censor errors for ARPA equipment complying with IMO performance standards

   states performance standards for gyro and log inputs

   states performance standards for range and bearing accuracy and discrimination of radar

   3. Acquisition of targets (1.5 hour)

   states criteria for target acquisition

   states that the criteria for automatic selection of targets are given in the set's instruction manual

   lists the criteria to be used for manual acquisition of targets

   states that maximum number of targets which may be acquired

   states that targets may be deleted if not posing a potential threat (when tracking limit has been reached)

   describes appropriate use of suppression of target acquisition over certain areas

   states that targets first appearing closer than the pre-set guard ring are not acquired and do not actuate alarms

   4. Tracking Capabilities and Limitations (1.5 hour)

   describes target tracking by ARPA

   describes how target are "lost" and alarm activated

   states common circumstances leading to "target swap"

   describes the effect of "target swap" on displayed data

   5. Processing Delays (2 hour)

   explains why there is a delay in the display of processed ARPA data after target acquisition

   explains the delay in the display of new data when the target ship manoeuvres

   states that full accuracy of derived information may not be attained for up to three minutes after acquisition or manoeuvre of the target

2. Operate an ARPA System (24 hours)
   1. Setting Up and Maintaining Displays (1.0 hour)

   sets up an appropriate display presentation for the required task and current situation (stabilised relative motion and true motion displays)

   adjusts radar controls for the optimum display of echoes

   uses log and gyro compass inputs

   manually selects, acquires and monitors critical targets

   sets up automatic acquisition and exclusion areas

   uses the appropriate time scale for vectors or graphics to produce information required

   identifies differences between information shown in sea stabilised mode and the ground stabilised mode

   selects the appropriate mode for the circumstances

   sets up echo-referencing in the true motion mode

   2. Obtaining target information (1.0 hour)

   operates display in true and relative modes to obtain true and relative vectors in each display mode

   states the benefits of switching between true and relative vectors

   uses the graphic display of PPC's and PAD's

   determines threat of collision by forward extrapolation of vectors and by the use of PAD's

   uses targets history display

   uses trial manoeuvres are (approximations depending on the model of ownship manoeuvring characteristics)

   refers to the equipment manual for a description of the manoeuvring characteristics model used

   sets and acknowledges operational warnings

   states benefits and limitations of operational warnings

   sets area rejection boundaries to avoid spurious interference

   3. Errors of Interpretation (1 hour)

   identifies consistently vectors in the wrong mode (a common error)

   derives information from vectors with numeric display

   explains and re-acquired "lost target" may temporarily shown a course and speed suggesting an alteration when none has occurred

   states data from PADs and PPCs displayed apply only to "own ship" and targets and do not indicate mutual threats between targets

   states that the length of line from target to PAD or PPC is not an indicator of target speed

   states that history displays may not be in same mode as vectors

   states that a change of direction in the relative history display does not necessarily imply that the target has altered course

   explains that the incorrect interpretation of ARPA can lead to a dangerous misunderstanding

   4. Errors in Displayed Data ( 2.5 hours)

   identifies bearing errors in the radar installation by:

   Backlash

   ship motion

   asymmetrical antenna beam

   azimuth quantisation

   explains errors in range generated by:

   rolling of "own ship"

   range quantisation

   explains that unreliable indications are given when smoothing filter in the tracker combined with alteration in "own ship's" course/speed

   explains the effects of heading and speed errors on derived information

   states that the smoothness of the displayed history track is an indication of satisfactory tracking by ARPA

   5. System Operational Tests (1.5 hour)

   uses self-diagnostic routines

   operates test programmes to check performance against known solutions

   demonstrates performance checks, including trial manoeuvre by manual plotting

   takes correct action malfunction of ARPA

   6. Risks of Over-reliance on ARPA (3 hour)

   demonstrates the use of ARPA explains the need to comply with basic principles in keeping a navigational watch

   reacts correctly to operational alarms

   avoids small predicted passing distances (CPA and bow crossing ranges)

   explains that sensor input alarms only operate on failure of input and do not respond to inaccurate input

   7. Obtaining Information from ARPA Displays (6 hours)

   obtains information in both true and relative modes

   identifies critical targets

   determines relative course and speed of target

   determines CPA and TCPA of target

   determines true course and speed of target

   uses displays of past positions for detecting changes in course or speed of target

   uses trial manoeuvre facility to check validity of intended alteration of course or speed

   8. Application of COLREG 1972 (8 hours)

   takes correct action to avoid close-quarters situations or potential collision situations

   monitors subsequent situation and resumes original course and speed when safe to do so

3. Review and Final Assessment (3 hours)

Objective test on theory and principles

Test on manual plotting

Practical demonstration on simulator covering setting up of the display, plotting vessel's position, use of parallel indexing techniques, obtaining target information using ARPA