RADAR Plotting

Prepared by 2/M Ramon A. Cofreros

 Sample problem:

 M/V Selene steers on a course of 000o T with a speed of 20 knots.

O/C 000 T
o
At 1400 hours, the target is observed at a bearing of 045o T at a
O/S 20.0 Kts
distance of 11.5 NM. At 1406 hours, the target is observed at a
bearing of 043o T at a distance of 9.0 NM. Radar is set on a 12 NM
range scale,
 Determine the following: • DRM • SRM
• BCPA • TCPA
  • CPA

1. Draw ship course and speed.

2. Plot the bearing and distance of the 1st observation, note the time
and label “r”.
Plot the bearing and distance of the 2nd observation, note the
time and label “m”.
3. Run a line across point “r” to “m” to establish the relative motion
line (RML).
4. Determine the direction of relative motion (DRM) using a pair of
triangles.
5. Determine bearing of closest point of approach (BCPA) by adding
of subtracting 90° across your RML
6. Determine CPA by measuring the distance from your ship to the
intersection of RML and BCPA
7. Determine the speed of relative motion (SRM) by measuring the
distance of “r” to “m” and get the time difference.
8. Determine the time at closest point of approach (TCPA) by
measuring the distance from “m” to CPA
 Sample problem:

 M/V Selene steers on a course of 000o T with a speed of 20 knots.

O/C 000 T
o
At 1400 hours, the target is observed at a bearing of 045o T at a
O/S 20.0 Kts
distance of 11.5 NM. At 1406 hours, the target is observed at a
bearing of 043o T at a distance of 9.0 NM. Radar is set on a 12 NM

r hrs
range scale,

00
14
 Determine the following: • DRM • SRM

m hrs
• BCPA • TCPA

06
 

14
• CPA

1. Draw ship course and speed.

2. Plot the bearing and distance of the 1st observation, note the
time and label “r”.
Plot the bearing and distance of the 2nd observation, note the
time and label “m”.
3. Run a line across point “r” to “m” to establish the relative motion
line (RML).
4. Determine the direction of relative motion (DRM) using a pair of
triangles.
5. Determine bearing of closest point of approach (BCPA) by adding
of subtracting 90° across your RML
6. Determine CPA by measuring the distance from your ship to the
intersection of RML and BCPA
7. Determine the speed of relative motion (SRM) by measuring the
distance of “r” to “m” and get the time difference.
8. Determine the time at closest point of approach (TCPA) by
measuring the distance from “m” to CPA
 Sample problem:

 M/V Selene steers on a course of 000o T with a speed of 20 knots.

O/C 000 T
o
At 1400 hours, the target is observed at a bearing of 045o T at a
O/S 20.0 Kts
distance of 11.5 NM. At 1406 hours, the target is observed at a
s bearing of 043o T at a distance of 9.0 NM. Radar is set on a 12 NM
hr
4 00
1 r range scale,
s  Determine the following: • DRM • SRM
hr
4 06 • BCPA • TCPA
1 m
  • CPA

1. Draw ship course and speed.

2. Plot the bearing and distance of the 1st observation, note the time
and label “r”.
Plot the bearing and distance of the 2nd observation, note the
time and label “m”.
3. Run a line across point “r” to “m” to establish the relative
motion line (RML).
4. Determine the direction of relative motion (DRM) using a pair of
triangles.
L 5. Determine bearing of closest point of approach (BCPA) by adding
RM of subtracting 90° across your RML
6. Determine CPA by measuring the distance from your ship to the
intersection of RML and BCPA
7. Determine the speed of relative motion (SRM) by measuring the
distance of “r” to “m” and get the time difference.
8. Determine the time at closest point of approach (TCPA) by
measuring the distance from “m” to CPA
 Sample problem:

 M/V Selene steers on a course of 000o T with a speed of 20 knots.

O/C 000 T
o
At 1400 hours, the target is observed at a bearing of 045o T at a
O/S 20.0 Kts
distance of 11.5 NM. At 1406 hours, the target is observed at a
s bearing of 043o T at a distance of 9.0 NM. Radar is set on a 12 NM
hr
4 00
1 r range scale,
s  Determine the following: • DRM • SRM
hr
4 06 • BCPA • TCPA
1 m
  • CPA

1. Draw ship course and speed.

2. Plot the bearing and distance of the 1st observation, note the time
and label “r”.
Plot the bearing and distance of the 2nd observation, note the
time and label “m”.
3. Run a line across point “r” to “m” to establish the relative
Triangle 2 4.
motion line (RML).
Determine the direction of relative motion (DRM) using a pair of
triangles.
L 5. Determine bearing of closest point of approach (BCPA)
RM
6. Determine CPA by measuring the distance from your ship
Triangle 1 to the intersection of RML and BCPA
7. Determine the speed of relative motion (SRM) by measuring the
distance of “r” to “m” and get the time difference.
8. Determine the time at closest point of approach (TCPA) by
measuring the distance from “m” to CPA
° T
32
=2
M
DR
 Sample problem:

 M/V Selene steers on a course of 000o T with a speed of 20 knots.

O/C 000 T
o
At 1400 hours, the target is observed at a bearing of 045o T at a
O/S 20.0 Kts
distance of 11.5 NM. At 1406 hours, the target is observed at a
hr
s bearing of 043o T at a distance of 9.0 NM. Radar is set on a 12 NM

Tri
00

BC
4 r range scale,

PA
1

an


=3
s Determine the following: • DRM • SRM
hr

22

g
06 • BCPA • TCPA

o
T
4

le
1 m
  • CPA

1
1. Draw ship course and speed.
2. Plot the bearing and distance of the 1st observation, note the time
Tri
and label “r”.
an
Plot the bearing and distance of the 2nd observation, note the
g

time and label “m”.

le

3. Run a line across point “r” to “m” to establish the relative motion
2

line (RML).
4. Determine the direction of relative motion (DRM) using a pair of
triangles.
BCPA = DRM (+ or – ) 90° 5. Determine bearing of closest point of approach (BCPA) by
L
RM adding of subtracting 90° across your RML
BCPA = 232 + 90° 6. Determine CPA by measuring the distance from your ship to the
intersection of RML and BCPA
7. Determine the speed of relative motion (SRM) by measuring the
BCPA = 322° distance of “r” to “m” and get the time difference.
8. Determine the time at closest point of approach (TCPA) by
T measuring the distance from “m” to CPA
2°
= 23
M
DR
 Sample problem:

 M/V Selene steers on a course of 000o T with a speed of 20 knots.

O/C 000 T
o
At 1400 hours, the target is observed at a bearing of 045o T at a
O/S 20.0 Kts
distance of 11.5 NM. At 1406 hours, the target is observed at a
hr
s bearing of 043o T at a distance of 9.0 NM. Radar is set on a 12 NM
00

BC
4 r range scale,

PA
1


=3
s Determine the following: • DRM • SRM
hr

22
06 • BCPA • TCPA

o
T
4
1 m
  • CPA

1. Draw ship course and speed.

2. Plot the bearing and distance of the 1st observation, note the time
and label “r”.
Plot the bearing and distance of the 2nd observation, note the
time and label “m”.
3. Run a line across point “r” to “m” to establish the relative motion
CPA
line (RML).
4. Determine the direction of relative motion (DRM) using a pair of
1.4 NM triangles.
L 5. Determine bearing of closest point of approach (BCPA) by adding
RM of subtracting 90° across your RML
6. Determine CPA by measuring the distance from your ship to the
intersection of RML and BCPA
7. Determine the speed of relative motion (SRM) by measuring the
distance of “r” to “m” and get the time difference.
8. Determine the time at closest point of approach (TCPA) by
T measuring the distance from “m” to CPA
2°
= 23
M
DR
 Sample problem:

 M/V Selene steers on a course of 000o T with a speed of 20 knots.

O/C 000 T
o
At 1400 hours, the target is observed at a bearing of 045o T at a
O/S 20.0 Kts
distance of 11.5 NM. At 1406 hours, the target is observed at a
s
hr bearing of 043o T at a distance of 9.0 NM. Radar is set on a 12 NM
00
14 r

BC
range scale,

PA
2.5 NM


=3
s Determine the following: • DRM • SRM
hr

22
• BCPA • TCPA

o
06

T
14 m
  • CPA

1. Draw ship course and speed.

2. Plot the bearing and distance of the 1st observation, note the time
and label “r”.
SRM = Plot the bearing and distance of the 2nd observation, note the
time and label “m”.
SRM = 3. Run a line across point “r” to “m” to establish the relative motion
CPA
line (RML).
SRM = 4. Determine the direction of relative motion (DRM) using a pair of
1.4 NM triangles.
L 5. Determine bearing of closest point of approach (BCPA) by adding
RM of subtracting 90° across your RML
6. Determine CPA by measuring the distance from your ship to the
intersection of RML and BCPA
7. Determine the speed of relative motion (SRM) by measuring the
distance of “r” to “m” and get the time difference.
8. Determine the time at closest point of approach (TCPA) by
T measuring the distance from “m” to CPA
2°
= 23
M
DR
 Sample problem:

 M/V Selene steers on a course of 000o T with a speed of 20 knots.

O/C 000 T
o
At 1400 hours, the target is observed at a bearing of 045o T at a
O/S 20.0 Kts
distance of 11.5 NM. At 1406 hours, the target is observed at a
rs bearing of 043o T at a distance of 9.0 NM. Radar is set on a 12 NM
0h

BC
0 range scale,
14 r

PA


=3
s Determine the following: • DRM • SRM
hr

22
06 • BCPA • TCPA

o
T
4
1 m
  • CPA

1. Draw ship course and speed.

8.9 NM
2. Plot the bearing and distance of the 1st observation, note the time
and label “r”.
Plot the bearing and distance of the 2nd observation, note the
time and label “m”.
3. Run a line across point “r” to “m” to establish the relative motion
CPA
line (RML).
4. Determine the direction of relative motion (DRM) using a pair of
1.4 NM TCPA = triangles.
L 5. Determine bearing of closest point of approach (BCPA) by adding
RM TCPA = of subtracting 90° across your RML
6. Determine CPA by measuring the distance from your ship to the
TCPA = intersection of RML and BCPA
7. Determine the speed of relative motion (SRM) by measuring the
distance of “r” to “m” and get the time difference.
TCPA = 8. Determine the time at closest point of approach (TCPA) by
T measuring the distance from “m” to CPA
2°
= 23
M TCPA = hrs.
DR