Optimizing Instrument Navigation in Restricted Waters

Abstract

1. INTRODUCTION. The object of open-ocean navigation is basically to find a ship's position. In coastal and confined waters, another dimension is added – the margins for errors are smaller, and actual ship handling must be integrated with the pure navigational disciplines. In restricted waters, the traditional philosophy of position fixing at intervals in terms of a point, e.g. cross-bearings, bearing and distance off a reference object, or latitude/longitude, is no longer a prime objective.

Safer Navigation in the '90s — Integrated Bridge Systems

“…Basically, one glance at the radar display should warn us in time to take corrective measures if we are straying off the selected track. The position fix has lost much of its importance to the technique of continuous x -track monitoring 13 . Position fixing will be of interest for recording the voyage and for the accident investigator, but it will not be a guarantee for a safe transit.…”

“…Before the ship arrives at the wheel over line, the vector will appear on the display. That is, the ' F ' distance 13 , the constant radius part and the new heading will appear starting at the position of own ship. Should there be any obstacles on the path, the start time of the turn, the turn radius or the new heading after the turn can be altered to suit the actual situation.…”

“…That is, the ' F ' distance 13 , the constant radius part and the new heading will appear starting at the position of own ship. The nature of the operation is such that steering and navigation cannot be treated as two separate entities 3 , but must be integrated with each other.…”

“…The position fix has lost much of its importance to the technique of continuous x -track monitoring 13 . Now we cannot wait till the next fix to find out if we are proceeding safely or not.…”