Basic Radar Plot

Craig Leppert
Last update: January 2014
Basic Radar Plot 340
350
000 010
020

0 03
33 0

0 04
32 0

05
31

0
0

06
30

0
290

070
280

080
270

090
260

100
Step 1: Mark our own ship’s
250

110
heading on the sheet
0

12
24

0
0

13
23

0
0 14
22 0

0 15
21 0
160
200
190 170
180

Range Scale: Nautical Miles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
www.seamanshiptutor.com
Basic Radar Plot 340
350
000 010
020

0 03
33 0

0 04
32 0

05
31

0
0

06
30

0
290

070
280

080
270

090
260

100
Step 1: Mark our own ship’s
250

110
heading on the sheet
0

12
24

0
0

13
23

0
0 14
22 0

0 15
21 0
160
200
190 170
180

Range Scale: Nautical Miles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
www.seamanshiptutor.com
Basic Radar Plot 340
350
000 010
020

0 03
33 0

0
Label the 1st observation
04
O (Origin)
32 0

05
31

0
O

06
30

0
A
290

070
280

080
Label the 3rd observation A (After)
270

090
260

100
250

110
0

12
24

0
Step 2: Plot the range and bearing
0

13
of the target observations
23

0
0 14
22 0

0 15
21 0
160
200
190 170
180

Range Scale: Nautical Miles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
www.seamanshiptutor.com
Basic Radar Plot 340
350
000 010
020

0 03
33 0

0
Label the 1st observation
04
O (Origin)
32 0

05
31

0
O

06
30

0
A
290

070
280

080
Label the 3rd observation A (After)
270

090
260

100
250

110
0

12
24

0
Step 2: Plot the range and bearing
0

13
of the target observations
23

0
0 14
22 0

0 15
21 0
160
200
190 170
180

Range Scale: Nautical Miles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
www.seamanshiptutor.com
Basic Radar Plot 340
350
000 010
020

0 03
33 0

0 04
32 0

05
31

0
Step 3: Join the points OA and O

06
30

0
continue this line until it has A
passed the centre
290

070
280

080
270

090
260

100
250

110
As this line is a resultant: its
0

12
24

symbol is a circle around an arrow

0
0

13
23

0
0 14
22 0

0 15
21 0
160
200
190 170
180

Range Scale: Nautical Miles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
www.seamanshiptutor.com
Basic Radar Plot 340
350
000 010
020

0 03
33 0

0 04
32 0

05
31

0
Step 3: Join the points OA and O

06
30

0
continue this line until it has A
passed the centre
290

070
280

080
270

090
260

100
250

110
As this line is a resultant: its
0

12
24

symbol is a circle around an arrow

0
0

13
23

0
0 14
22 0

0 15
21 0
160
200
190 170
180

Range Scale: Nautical Miles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
www.seamanshiptutor.com
 Basic Radar Plot 340
350
000 010
020

0 03
33 0

0 04
32 0

05
31

0
O

06
30

0
A
290

070
280

080
270

090
260

100
250

110
0

12
24

0
Step 4: CPA
0

13
CPA Zero
23

0
This line will allow us to find the 0 14
22
TCPA
0

CPA. The point at which the line is 21

0 15
0

closest to the centre is the CPA. In 200

190 170
160
Course
this case we have a CPA of Zero; a
180

Speed
direct
Rangecollision
Scale: Nautical Miles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Aspect
www.seamanshiptutor.com
 Basic Radar Plot 340
350
000 010
020

0 03
33 0

0 04
32 0

05
31

0
O

06
30

0
A
290

070
280

080
270

090
260

100
250

110
0

12
24

0
Step 4: CPA
0

13
CPA Zero
23

0
This line will allow us to find the 0 14
22
TCPA
0

CPA. The point at which the line is 21

0 15
0

closest to the centre is the CPA. In 200

190 170
160
Course
this case we have a CPA of Zero; a
180

Speed
direct
Rangecollision
Scale: Nautical Miles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Aspect
www.seamanshiptutor.com
 Basic Radar Plot 340
350
000 010
020

0 03
33 0

0 04
32 0

05
31

0
0

06
30

0
290

070
280

080
270

090
260

100
250

110
0

12
24

0
Were this not the case, we would
0

13
CPA 2.2 NM
23

0
need to find the point where the 0 14
22
TCPA
0

line is at right angles to the centre 21

0 15
0

marker. This distance is the CPA 200

190 170
160
Course
180

Speed
Range Scale: Nautical Miles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Aspect
www.seamanshiptutor.com
 Basic Radar Plot 340
350
000 010
020

0 03
33 0

0 04
32 0

05
31

0
0

06
30

0
290

070
280

080
270

090
260

100
250

110
0

12
24

0
Were this not the case, we would
0

13
CPA 2.2 NM
23

0
need to find the point where the 0 14
22
TCPA
0

line is at right angles to the centre 21

0 15
0

marker. This distance is the CPA 200

190 170
160
Course
180

Speed
Range Scale: Nautical Miles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Aspect
www.seamanshiptutor.com
 Basic Radar Plot 340
350
000 010
020

03
0
33 0

0 04
32 0

Step 5: TCPA

05
31

0
1200 O

06
30
The relative approach speed of 06

0
12
A
the two vessels is indicated by the
290

070
24

distance OA. This distance is how 36

much closer the target will get

280

080
48

over a known period of time 1300

270

090
(normally 6 or 12 minutes)
260

100
We can use this known distance to
predict where the target will be in
250

110
future by walking on our dividers
0

12
24

0
0

13
23

CPA Zero

0
0 14
22 0

0 15
TCPA 1258
21 0

200
190 170
160
Course
180

Speed
Range Scale: Nautical Miles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Aspect
www.seamanshiptutor.com
 Basic Radar Plot 340
350
000 010
020

03
0
33 0

0 04
32 0

Step 5: TCPA

05
31

0
1200 O

06
30
The relative approach speed of 06

0
12
A
the two vessels is indicated by the
290

070
24

distance OA. This distance is how 36

much closer the target will get

280

080
48

over a known period of time 1300

270

090
(normally 6 or 12 minutes)
260

100
We can use this known distance to
predict where the target will be in
250

110
future by walking on our dividers
0

12
24

0
0

13
23

CPA Zero

0
0 14
22 0

0 15
TCPA 1258
21 0

200
190 170
160
Course
180

Speed
Range Scale: Nautical Miles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Aspect
www.seamanshiptutor.com
 The length of the line
Basic Radar Plot 340
350
000 010
020
will be determined by
33
0 03
0 our ships speed. Its
0 04 length is equal to how
32 0
far we travel in the
time period

05
31

0
1200 O
Step 6: Transfer our course line
0

06
30
06

0
12

backwards from point O A

290

070
24

W
36
280

080
48

1300 Label the new point as W

270

090
260

100
250

110
0

12
24

0
0

13
23

CPA Zero

0
0 14
22 0

0 15
TCPA 1258
21 0

200
190 170
160
Course
180

Speed
Range Scale: Nautical Miles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Aspect
www.seamanshiptutor.com
 The length of the line
Basic Radar Plot 340
350
000 010
020
will be determined by
33
0 03
0 our ships speed. Its
0 04 length is equal to how
32 0
far we travel in the
time period

05
31

0
1200 O
Step 6: Transfer our course line
0

06
30
06

0
12

backwards from point O A

290

070
24

W
36
280

080
48

1300 Label the new point as W

270

090
260

100
250

110
0

12
24

0
0

13
23

CPA Zero

0
0 14
22 0

0 15
TCPA 1258
21 0

200
190 170
160
Course
180

Speed
Range Scale: Nautical Miles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Aspect
www.seamanshiptutor.com
Basic Radar Plot 340
350
000 010
020

03
0
33 0

0
Step0407: Complete the triangle
32
by joining W to A

05
31

0
1200 O

06
30
06

0
12
A
290

070
24

W
36
280

080
48

1300
270

090
260

100
250

110
0

12
24

0
0

13
23

CPA Zero

0
0 14
22 0

0 15
TCPA 1258
21 0

200
190 170
160
Course
180

Speed
Range Scale: Nautical Miles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Aspect
www.seamanshiptutor.com
Basic Radar Plot 340
350
000 010
020

03
0
33 0

0
Step0407: Complete the triangle
32
by joining W to A

05
31

0
1200 O

06
30
06

0
12
A
290

070
24

W
36
280

080
48

1300
270

090
260

100
250

110
The line WA represents the
true course and speed of
0

12
24

the target vessel

0
0

13
23

CPA Zero

0
0 14
22 0

0 15
TCPA 1258
21 0

200
190 170
160
Course 311
180

Speed
Range Scale: Nautical Miles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Aspect
www.seamanshiptutor.com
Basic Radar Plot 340
350
000 010
020

03
0
33 0

0
Step0407: Complete the triangle
32
by joining W to A

05
31

0
1200 O

06
30
06

0
12
A
290

070
24

W
36
280

080
48

1300
270

090
260

100
250

110
The line WA represents the
true course and speed of
0

12
24

the target vessel

0
0

13
23

CPA Zero

0
0 14
22 0

0 15
TCPA 1258
21 0

200
190 170
160
Course 311
180

Speed
Range Scale: Nautical Miles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Aspect
www.seamanshiptutor.com
Basic Radar Plot 340
350
000 010
020

03
0
33 0

0 04
32 0

05
31

0
1200 O

06
30
06

0
12
A
290

070
24

W
36
280

080
48

1300
270

090
260

100
250

110
Step 8: Use the length of WA to
determine the target’s speed
0

12
24

0
0

13
23

CPA Zero

0
0 14
22 0

0 15
TCPA 1258
21 0

200
190 170
160
Course 311
180

Speed 9 kts
Range Scale: Nautical Miles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Aspect
www.seamanshiptutor.com
Basic Radar Plot 340
350
000 010
020

03
0
33 0

0 04
32 0

05
31

0
1200 O

06
30
06

0
12
A
290

070
24

W
36
280

080
48

1300
270

090
260

100
250

110
Step 8: Use the length of WA to
determine the target’s speed
0

12
24

0
0

13
23

CPA Zero

0
0 14
22 0

0 15
TCPA 1258
21 0

200
190 170
160
Course 311
180

Speed 9 kts
Range Scale: Nautical Miles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Aspect
www.seamanshiptutor.com
Basic Radar Plot 340
350
000 010
020

03
0
33 0

0 04
32 0

05
31

0
1200 O

06
30
06

0
12
A
290

070
24

W
36
280

080
48

1300 Step 9: Mark the reciprocal of

270

090
the targets last bearing.
260

100
Observe the difference in angle
between this and the targets
250

110
course.
0

12
24

0
0

13
23

CPA Zero

0
0 14
22 0

0 15
TCPA 1258
21
Aspect is where our ship
0

200
160
Course 311
appears to be if viewed from
190 180
170

the target. Speed 9 kts

Range Scale: Nautical Miles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Aspect
www.seamanshiptutor.com Red 76
Basic Radar Plot 340
350
000 010
020

03
0
33 0

0 04
32 0

05
31

0
1200 O

06
30
06

0
12
A
290

070
24

W
36
280

080
48

1300 Step 9: Mark the reciprocal of

270

090
the targets last bearing.
260

100
Observe the difference in angle
between this and the targets
250

110
course.
0

12
24

0
0

13
23

CPA Zero

0
0 14
22 0

0 15
TCPA 1258
21
Aspect is where our ship
0

200
160
Course 311
appears to be if viewed from
190 180
170

the target. Speed 9 kts

Range Scale: Nautical Miles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Aspect
www.seamanshiptutor.com Red 76
Basic Radar Plot 340
350
000 010
020

03
0
33 0

0 04
32 0

05
31

0
1200 O

06
30
06

0
12
Note that in this case the aspect A
290

070
24
is named Red as we would be W
on the target’s Port side. 36
280

080
48

1300
270

090
Correspondingly, we would see
260

100
a red side-light if we were to
look out of the window
250

110
0

12
24

0
0

13
23

If we are on the starboard side, CPA Zero

0
the aspect is named Green
0 14
22 0

0 15
TCPA 1258
21 0

200
190 170
160
Course 311
180

Speed 9 kts
Range Scale: Nautical Miles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Aspect
www.seamanshiptutor.com Red 76
Basic Radar Plot 340
350
000 010
020

03
0
33 0

0 04
32 0

05
31

0
1200 O

06
30
06

0
12
Note that in this case the aspect A
290

070
24
is named Red as we would be W
on the target’s Port side. 36
280

080
48

1300
270

090
Correspondingly, we would see
260

100
a red side-light if we were to
look out of the window
250

110
0

12
24

0
0

13
23

If we are on the starboard side, CPA Zero

0
the aspect is named Green
0 14
22 0

0 15
TCPA 1258
21 0

200
190 170
160
Course 311
180

Speed 9 kts
Range Scale: Nautical Miles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Aspect
www.seamanshiptutor.com Red 76
Basic Radar Plot 340
350
000 010
020

03
0
33 0

0 04
32 0

05
31

0
1200 O

06
30
06

0
12
A
290

070
24

W
36
280

080
48

1300
270

090
260

100
250

110
0

12
24

0
0

13
23

CPA Zero

0
0
This is the information required for a 14
22 0
complete radar report. It is the same
0 15
TCPA 1258
21 0
information we get from the ARPA
200
160
Course 311
190 170
180

Speed 9 kts
Range Scale: Nautical Miles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Aspect
www.seamanshiptutor.com Red 76