Research

Output
Navigation 2

Submitted to:
2/M Oscar Bermudo

Submitted by:
James Ivan Pedroso BSMT 1-4
 Different Technique in Fixing
Position

There are many methods by which we can get a fix

of the ship’s position. Some of which are

➢ Celestial fix by using sextant

➢ Visual fix
➢ Radar Fix
➢ GPS
➢ Echo sounder
➢ Parallel Indexing
Celestial Fix Using Sextant
This method is not so popular during coastal navigation for a few reasons.
One because this method requires some time to know the position because of calculations involved.
Second because there are chances of user induced error (like error in taking the sight). That may not be so
nice when the ship is navigating in the proximity of dangers during coastal navigation.

But there is a gross misconception about this method among many seafarers. Misconception is that
position by celestial observations are not accurate. Instead, if we can have our hands set perfectly to take
accurate sextant altitude, the positions obtained by this method are quite accurate.

There are few disadvantages with this method.

Even though this method does not rely on electronic equipment and satellites, it needs nature in our
favour.We need a clear sky and clear horizon so that we can measure the altitude of the celestial body. Even
when the sky is clear, it is difficult to measure the exact altitude when the ship is rolling.

Now at the open sea, the primary method is GPS and the secondary method would be “celestial fix”.
If there is a radar conspicuous object, the primary method of position fixing becomes the “radar fix”. Secondary
in this case would be GPS.

Now if that object is also visible, the primary method becomes the “Visual
fix”. In this case the secondary method will be “Radar fix”.

The idea is that Visual fix gets the highest priority followed by radar fix. And
radar fix gets the priority over GPS.On tankers the vetting inspectors expect that if
available visual and/or radar fixes must be plotted at least for the PFI.
For example let us say that the set PFI is 10 Minutes and the agreed position
fixing method is Radar and Visual fix. Let us say we plot position at
​ 0900 Hrs: Radar or Visual Fix
​ 0910: Position by GPS
​ 0920: Radar or Visual Fix
​
This is considered to be wrong and would draw a vetting observation as the radar/visual position is plotted after
20 minutes whereas PFI is 10 Minutes.

Position by GPS fixes

Do I need to say anything about GPS fixes ? Even the supernumaries on board know how to plot GPS
position.This is the most over relied method of position fixing. Over relied for a good reason. It is Crisp
accurate (most of the time) and quick fix.
 On Modern ECDIS, navigators do not need to do anything in plotting the GPS positions. These are
plotted automatically at the set interval.Some ECDIS can even record the ship’s position when it senses
change in any parameters like change in course.

For the passage planning we must ensure that PFI is set in the ECDIS, so that GPS positions are
marked and recorded automatically in the ECDIS.

To set the PFI in furuno ECDIS, go to DISP -> SET -> and then choose Symbol DISP.

Now go to Tracking. The Position fixing interval

can be set under Labels. Once set, the GPS position
will be recorded at the mentioned interval.

GPS fixes are accurate, no doubt about that.

The only issue with GPS fixes is the Complacency and
over-reliance. Over-reliance to the extent that we may
find ourself unconfortable if the GPS fails.

Radar Fixes
Position by radar gives quite accurate results and must be used whenever we have radar conspicuous
objects.
The advantage with radar fixes is that it just needs one object to get the ship’s position. We can get the
range and bearing of this object and plot the same on the chart.
For example let us say we get the bearing of this light as
050 degrees and range as 4.4 NM.
We will draw a line of 050 degrees to this light. We will then
measure 4.4 NM on the compass and cut the bearing line with this
distance.
In the same way, if you have two objects, you can plot the
radar fix by number of combinations of position lines like
● bearings of these two objects
● bearing of one object and range of other object
● range of both objects
As more and more ships are moving to paperless
navigation, we must know how to fix the ship’s position by radar on
ECDIS.
 So let us fix the ship’s position on Furuno ECDIS.
Let us say for this island, we get a bearing of 010 Degrees and
distance 2.5NM from the radar.
On Furuno ECDIS go to Record -> This will open a position event
window. Choose LOP and then choose True-bearing + Distance option.

Now click on the point of the island for which the bearing
and distance were taken from the radar.
Now enter the bearing and distance in the position event
window and then click “Add”.

This will give you your position.

Now if you wish to record this position in the memory of

ECDIS, click “Record” in the position event window. The
position will be plotted on ECDIS and recorded in the
memory.

If we have two bearings (or two ranges) of two objects, the

process of plotting a radar fix on ECDIS is the same as
above. Just instead of “bearing + Distance”, choose the
“bearing” (or distance) option.
Visual Fixes
Visual fixes are the least practiced position fixing method inspite of being accurate. All it requires is a
visual target and compass for taking its bearing.

Position by Visual bearing of two objects

If we have two objects that are visible from the ship, the bearing of these two can get us the ship’s
position.For a better accuracy of position by two bearings, the two bearings should neither be too narrow nor
too wide. Separation angle close to 45 degrees being the ideal one.

To plot the position by visual bearings of two objects, take the bearings of both the objects
simultaneously.

Now draw the bearing of these objects on the charts. The point where these two bearings (position
lines) intersect will be the ship’s position.

How to do this on ECDIS ?

The process is same what we did for plotting radar fix on ECDIS

Position by Running Fix

Even when there is only one object visible for visual bearing, we can still get the position. The method
is called “running fix”.

In this method, we take the first bearing of this object before it is

forward of our beam. Let us say we see a light Fl 5s 20m 16M. At
2000 Hrs we take its bearing and it comes out to be 020 degrees.

Plot it on the chart. This is the first position line at 2000 Hrs.Take the
second bearing of the same object when it is abaft the beam. Say
this time we take the bearing at 2020 and the bearing is 300
Degrees.
Plot it on a chart. This is the position line at 2020 Hrs.

Now we have two position lines but both are at different times. We
need to bring either of these position lines to the same time as the
other one.
How do we do that ?
We know our course was good and speed, plot this on the chart. Now on this course line cut the distance
covered in 20 minutes which is the interval between two position lines. Let us name this point as point A.

Now transfer your first position line to the point A. The point where it cuts the 2nd position line is the ship’s
position at 2020 Hrs. This is because now both the position lines are at the same time.

To get the position at 2000 Hrs, draw your course made good from
the 2020 Hrs position. The point where it cuts the first position line
will be the ship’s position at 2000 Hrs.

How to get a
running fix plotted on ECDIS ? Let us plot this on furuno
ECDIS.
We take the first bearing of the fixed object and we plot first
position line on ECDIS. To do that from the left menu options
go to Record -> Event log -> Posn event.

This will show a pop up called position event.

Mark the first position line of the fixed
object that you have taken the visual
bearing from and click “add” to add the
position line.

Now when you have the 2nd bearing of the same object, mark the 2nd bearing on
the ECDIS in the same way. Make sure
the option “transfer off” is slected while
marking both the bearings.

So we have the two position

lines but both are at different
times. We need to transfer the
1st position to the present
time to get a fix by “running
fix” method.
To do that, choose the
position line number 1 from
the position event pop up (under LOP observations).
Then change the option to “Transfer to latest”.

Once we choose “transfer to latest” option for position line # 1, this position line will be transferred to
the latest time. You will also see TPL marked on this position line which denotes “transferred position line”.
The position where it cuts the 2nd position line is the ship’s position.

The position where it cuts the 2nd position line is the ship’s
position. To record this
position in the history data
of ECDIS, just click on the
“record” option in the
“position event” pop up.
This will mark the ship’s
position on the ECDIS and
save it in the history data.

Position by Echo Sounder

I am sure not many discuss this as the position fixing method. Rightly so. We have so many resources
and we do not need to rely on echo sounder for position fixing.But as I said, when the GPS fails we start
doubting everything and each equipment. More methods of reassuring us about position can be handy.

Echo sounder cannot be used as a position fixing tool but it can be used to confirm the known position
of the ship.
 Have a look at this photo. This could be one of the places where we can ascertain our position by echo
sounder.

If we see depth of around 40 meters on echo sounder

and at the same time we take bearings of the edge of
the island that is visible to us. We draw a position line
from this island.
As there is only one point on this position line where
the depth is expected to be around 40 meters, this will
be our estimated position.

As I said this is not the position fixing method.

But we can use this as a confirmation tool for the
position we get from other methods.

Parallel Indexing
We earlier discussed that the interval between two position fixes should be such that between any two
fixes, the vessel must be safe.But this would mean that during arrival into a port, we need to plot our position
every 60 seconds.
Many, including some third party inspectors may insist on this but this is crazy. Imagine plotting the
radar fixes every two minutes.
Sometimes even the chart would not be of such a large scale that can distinguish the two positions
plotted at two minute intervals.
I feel PFI of less than 5 minutes is not practical. So how do we ensure the ship does not run into danger
if PFI needs to be less than 5 minutes and we plot the position every 5 minutes ?
The answer is by “parallel indexing”.

We identify a fixed object and draw a line parallel to our course. We then monitor the echo of this object on the
radar.

If the echo stays on the line drawn parallel to the course, we

are on our course. If the echo deviates from the line, we are off
track and we must alter the course to bring the vessel on track.
This is a method which ensures continuous monitoring of the ship’s
position.
In the situations where PFI comes out to be less than 5 minutes, we
can set the PFI as 5 minutes and then monitor the ship’s position by
parallel indexing and plotting the position every 5 minutes.
 ICT
Output
Submitted to:
Rosefe Fundal

Submitted by:
James Ivan Pedroso BSMT 1-4
 Items Quantity Price Amount
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