APPENDIX 'A'

The Merchant Shipping (Examination of Masters and Mates) Rules, 1985

APPENDIX "E"

[See Rule 12 (4) (c)]

RADAR SIMULATOR COURSE

1. The radar simulator course :

(i) Outline. The Course shall consist of a series of collision avoidance exercise in which ships and land are indicated on a marine radar display, the movements of ships being controlled by a marine radar simulator.

(ii) Equipment.—The simulator will simulate one or two ships each with separate helm engine controls (this type is referred to as "own ship"). In addition it will simulate two or more targets.

In view of the increasing number of high speed surface craft and the expense of trying to adapt existing simulators to take account of this, it is advisable for consideration to be given to the inclusion of a high-speed facility for "own ship" and at least one target when placing an order for a new simulator.

One radar display and one "own ship" control panel will be installed in a room or cubicle which should also have a plotting table, plotting instruments, reflection plotter, plotting charts, etc.

One or two slave radar displays will be required in separate cubicles which should be equipped with plotting facilities similar to these required in the "own ship" control room. Clocks with center seconds hands should be installed at each display position.

(iii) Length of course : The course shall be of one weekds duration to provide for introduction, explanation of the course, demonstration of equipment and a critical review of what the course has achieved in addition to the exercies for collision avoidance and related discussions for each. The length of the course must, however, be related to the number of students and the type of equipment available.

(iv) Plan of work.—The course is designed for mature students, masters and senior officers, many fo whom have extensive experience of using radar. The environment in which the course is conducted must be conducive to learning through participation rather than formal classroom teaching or lectures.

Each officer will play his part in a number of collision avoidance exercises in which he will be required to observe the movement of ships as soon on a radar display and form an appreciation of the collision risks involved and actions taken by those ships to avoid collision. The actions taken by "own ships" to avoid collision will be the responsibility of the students in turn.

Following every exercise there will be a discussion amongst all the officers when the exercise will be analysed and actions criticized.

Discussions may be followed by demonstrations of the effects of any alternative action which could be taken or which was suggested in discussion. Demonstrations to compare other types of display presentation with that used in the exercise may also be held.

Students will be divided into groups of two for each exercise one member of each group being designated master and the other observing officer. Designations will be changed to allow every student one turn at least, in command of "own ship".

(v) The exercises. Exercises should be straiht forward and designed to indicate clearly those factors which have been criticized by the courts the effects of the collision regulations and other factors involved in the use of radar as an aid to avoiding collision. There should be a clear lesson to be learned from every exercise

One or more of the following factors should be included in each exercise so that when an error of judgement occurs such factors will be emphasized.

(a) the effects of incomplete or inaccurate information;

(b) the hazards of making assumptions or acting on seanty information;

(d) the effects of speed and distance on the time available to fully appreciate the developing collision situation, take any necessary action and correct that action if it is fould to be inadequate;

(e) the hazards of failing to comply with those rules of the collision regulations which apply in poor visibility;

(f) the advantage, in some circumstances, of keeping a running plot of a developing situation and the precautions needed if information which can only be obtained from a plot is incomplete or not available;

(g) the dangers of small and cumulative alternations of course and or speed.

2. Each exercise with the discussion that follows and any necessary demonstration should be planned to occupy not more than one half day. No exercise should continue after decision have been taken and the dangerous situation has been resolved.

It is essential that all exercises should be clear and uncomplicated. Most of the serious collisions in which the use made of radar has been criticized have, in retrospect, appeared to have occurred after an approach unhampered by other traffic. Any complications which arose were due to the actions of one or both of the ships which collided. Nearly all these serious collisions occurred after a period of approach which commenced where the two ships were ahead or nearly ahead of each other and steering courses within 30⁰ of being reciprocals. The various errors of judgment made during the approach period are of types which would not occur if the advice offered in the collision regulations is followed.

Exercises based on typical collision cases which also involve application of the collision regulations are instructive, indicate clearly lessons in the safe use of radar and provide a sound base for discussion. Tactical exercises in piloting a ship through congested waters become so confused that they are not readily analysed, do not offer clear lessons in the hazards to be avoided when using radar and do not lead to useful discussion. These types of exercise should be avoided.

It is advantageous to have the first three exercises before any tuition or revision on plotting techniques, etc. is given. During these early exercises students should be encouraged and given the opportunity to use the techniques they use at sea, even to make mistakes.

After the early exercises plotting techniques should be briefly explained and students observing on the slave displays should be encouraged to plot.

The officer in command of "own ship" must have absolute discretion to use the techniques he desires in obtaining radar information and manoeuvring his ship.

Comments and criticism should be reserved until the exercises are completed and it should then preferably, come from members of the class rather than from the lecturer.

3. Discussion.—After each exercise the class should be assembled for discussion. Records of the exercise should be available, at this time, for analysis.

The discussion should be informal, it could be opened by the lecturer with a brief explanation and analysis of the exercise but he should not seek to impose his views. He should by guiding the discussion, encourage students to criticize the action taken by "own ship", generally air their views and listen to the comments of fellow officers.

Discussion can be fostered by creating the right atmosphere; this is more readily achieved round a table on which models can be manoeuvred to illustrate a point being made than in formal classroom surroundings.

When there are suggestions in favour of alternative avoiding action, the effects of such action can be demonstrated on the radar displays with the aid, of the simulator.

Only by free and full discussion of the significant points and lesions illustrate in the exercise can real benefit be obtained from the course.

Experimentation and much effort will be required of the person in charge of the course in order to evolve the best techniques for stimulating and sustaining discussion.