Bearing (navigation) in the context of "Marine radar"

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⭐ Core Definition: Bearing (navigation)

In navigation, bearing or azimuth is the horizontal angle between the direction of an object and north or another object. The angle value can be specified in various angular units, such as degrees, mils, or grad. More specifically:

  • Absolute bearing refers to the clockwise angle between the magnetic north (magnetic bearing) or true north (true bearing) and an object. For example, an object to due east would have an absolute bearing of 90 degrees. Thus, it is the same as azimuth.
  • Relative bearing refers to the angle between the craft's forward direction (heading) and the location of another object. For example, an object relative bearing of 0 degrees would be immediately in front; an object relative bearing 180 degrees would be behind. Bearings can be measured in mils, points, or degrees. Thus, it is the same as an azimuth difference (modulo +/- 360 degrees).
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πŸ‘‰ Bearing (navigation) in the context of Marine radar

Marine radars are X band or S band radars on ships, used to detect other ships and land hazards, to provide bearing and distance for collision avoidance and navigation at sea. They are electronic navigation instruments that use a rotating antenna to sweep a narrow beam of microwaves around the water surface surrounding the ship to the horizon, detecting targets by microwaves reflected from them, generating a picture of the ship's surroundings on a display. The X-Band and S-Band radar has different characteristics and detection capabilities compared with each other. Most merchant ships carry at least one of each type to ensure adequate target detection and response. For example, the S-band operates better in sea clutter and rain than the X-band, however, the X-band has greater definition and accuracy in clear weather.

Radar is a vital navigation component for safety at sea and near the shore. It allows a 'lookout' to be maintained, being one of the approved available means for compliance with Rule 5, keeping a proper lookout under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. Captains and the bridge teams of ships need to be able to maneuver their ships in close proximity to navigational hazards in the worst of conditions. These include a need to navigate "blind", when there is poor or no visibility at night or due to bad weather such as fog. In addition to vessel-based marine radars, in port or in harbour, shore-based vessel traffic service radar systems are used by harbormasters and coast guard to monitor and regulate ship movements in busy waters.

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Bearing (navigation) in the context of Intersection (aviation)

In aviation, an intersection is a virtual navigational fix that helps aircraft maintain their flight plan. It is usually defined as the intersection (in the geometrical sense) of two VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range) radials. They are usually identified as major airway intersections where aircraft, operating under instrument flight rules, often change direction of flight while en route. According to the Federal Aviation Regulations, some intersections are designated as mandatory reporting points for pilots who are not in radar contact with air traffic control.

Intersections also play an important role in departure and approach procedures. All intersections have an alphabetical or alphanumeric designation. Near major airports, the intersection designation code typically consists of three letters followed by the runway number. Most other intersection designations consist of five-letter combinations that are either pronounceable or chosen for their mnemonic value, since either air traffic control or the flight plan may require the pilot to announce the designation. In the terminal procedure or approach plate example to the right, note that two of the intersections are called DONUT and KOFFE. Many intersections are named because of local points of interest. In the case of Carroll County Airport, there is a popular diner located on the field to which many pilots fly.

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Bearing (navigation) in the context of Rhumb line

In navigation, a rhumb line (also rhumb (/rʌm/) or loxodrome) is an arc crossing all meridians of longitude at the same angle. It is a path of constant azimuth relative to true north, which can be steered by maintaining a course of fixed bearing. When drift is not a factor, accurate tracking of a rhumb line course is independent of speed.

In practical navigation, a distinction is made between this true rhumb line and a magnetic rhumb line, with the latter being a path of constant bearing relative to magnetic north. While a navigator could easily steer a magnetic rhumb line using a magnetic compass, this course would not be true because the magnetic declinationβ€”the angle between true and magnetic northβ€”varies across the Earth's surface.

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Bearing (navigation) in the context of Radio beacon

In navigation, a radio beacon or radiobeacon is a kind of beacon, a device that marks a fixed location and allows direction-finding equipment to find relative bearing. It is a fixed-position radio transmitter which radiates radio waves which are received by navigation instruments on ships, aircraft or vehicles.

The beacon transmits a continuous or periodic radio signal on a specified radio frequency containing limited information (for example, its identification or location). Occasionally, the beacon's transmission includes other information, such as telemetric or meteorological data.

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Bearing (navigation) in the context of Fire lookout

A fire lookout (sometimes also called a fire watcher) is a person assigned the duty to look for fire from atop a building known as a fire lookout tower. These towers are used in remote areas, normally on mountain tops with high elevation and a good view of the surrounding terrain, to spot smoke caused by a wildfire.

Once a possible fire is spotted, "Smoke Reports", or "Lookout Shots" are relayed to the local Emergency Communications Center (ECC), often by radio or phone. A fire lookout can use a device known as an Osborne Fire Finder to obtain the radial in degrees off the tower, and the estimated distance from the tower to the fire.

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Bearing (navigation) in the context of Tactical air navigation system

A tactical air navigation system, commonly referred to by the acronym TACAN, is a navigation system initially designed for naval aircraft to acquire moving landing platforms (i.e., ships) and later expanded for use by other military aircraft. It provides the user with bearing and distance (slant-range or hypotenuse) to a ground or ship-borne station. It is, from an end-user perspective, a more accurate version of the VOR/DME system that provides bearing and range information for civil aviation. The DME portion of the TACAN system is available for civil use; at VORTAC facilities where a VOR is combined with a TACAN, civil aircraft can receive VOR/DME readings. Aircraft equipped with TACAN avionics can use this system for enroute navigation as well as non-precision approaches to landing fields. However, a TACAN-only equipped aircraft cannot receive bearing information from a VOR-only station.

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Bearing (navigation) in the context of Mount Sungay

Mount Sungay, also known as Mount Gonzales, is a mountain in the province of Cavite in the Philippines. Located in eastern Tagaytay, the inactive stratovolcano is the highest point in the province of Cavite, at 709 metres (2,326 feet). The slopes of the mountain are the source of the San Cristobal River that flows from the mountain to Silang, Cavite down to its mouth at Laguna de Bay in Calamba, Laguna.

The mountain's former sharp peak and readily distinguishable shape made it a reliable landmark for bearing checks when sailing in and around Manila Bay during the early days of navigation.

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