Radar Simulator Plotter | Training

This simulator is still in a beta stage. We are still working behind the scenes to ensure it's working as it should. You can always help us achieve that by giving feedback here.

If you are having issues using it embedded into this site, please visit: www.portal.themaritimemaster.com/radar/.

Interactive Radar Plotting Simulator - Master Maritime Navigation

Welcome to our advanced Radar Plotting Simulator, an essential tool for mariners, maritime students, and anyone looking to enhance their understanding of radar navigation and collision avoidance. This interactive simulator allows you to practice realistic scenarios, develop your plotting skills, and gain confidence in interpreting radar data, all within a dynamic and engaging environment.

Why Use This Simulator?

• Practical Skill Development: Gain hands-on experience with fundamental radar principles.
• Collision Avoidance Practice: Simulate various encounter situations to learn effective anti-collision maneuvers.
• Understanding Radar Displays: Familiarize yourself with how targets appear and move on both Relative and True Motion displays.
• Dynamic Controls: Adjust your own ship's heading and speed using intuitive slider controls, simulating helm and throttle inputs.
• Detailed Target Information: Get real-time updates on target bearing, range, speed, heading, CPA (Closest Point of Approach), and TCPA (Time to Closest Point of Approach).
• Visual Aids: Observe target history trails, predicted tracks, and relative motion vectors to better understand movement.
• Preparation for Exams: Reinforce theoretical knowledge with practical application, ideal for preparing for maritime certifications and assessments.

How to Use the Radar Plotting Simulator:

Our simulator provides intuitive controls to manage your vessel, add targets, and observe their movement. Follow these steps to begin your training:

1. Own Ship Controls:

• Heading (Helm Control): Use the horizontal slider (from -179° to 180°) to change your vessel's heading relative to its current direction. A "0" setting means maintaining the current heading. Click "Head True North" to instantly align your vessel's heading to 0° (North). The numerical input box allows for precise heading entry (0-359°).
• Speed (Throttle Control): Use the vertical slider (from 0 to 50 knots) to adjust your vessel's speed. The marks indicate common throttle settings like "Stop," "Half," and "Full." The numerical input box allows for precise speed entry.

2. Simulation Controls:

• Start/Pause Simulation: Click the "Start Simulation" button to begin the movement of your own ship and any added targets. If the simulation is running, this button will change to "Pause Simulation," allowing you to freeze time to analyze the situation.
• Reset/Clear Button: This button's function depends on the simulation state:
  • If the simulation time is greater than 0 and there are targets, it will say "Reset." Clicking it will stop the simulation, return your own ship to its origin, and reset all targets to their initial positions.
  • If the simulation time is 0 (or after a reset), and there are no targets, it will say "Clear." Clicking it will remove all targets from the display. This button is disabled if there are no targets to clear.
• Motion Mode Switch (True Motion / Relative Motion): Toggle this switch to change the radar display mode:
  • Relative Motion (Default): In this mode, your ship (Own Ship) remains fixed at the center of the radar display. All other targets are shown moving relative to your vessel. This is the traditional radar display and is crucial for immediate collision assessment, allowing you to easily visualize collision courses.
  • True Motion: In this mode, both your ship and other targets move across the radar screen according to their actual courses and speeds over ground. Your own ship will move from the center, and the display will periodically "reset" (re-center itself on your ship) when your ship approaches the edge of the screen to keep it visible. True Motion provides a broader tactical picture, showing the actual movement of all vessels.
• Simulation Time: Observe the "Simulation Time" display, which shows the total elapsed time in minutes since the simulation began or was last reset. The simulation updates every **5 minutes** of simulated time.

3. Adding and Managing Targets:

1. Add a Target: Click anywhere inside the circular radar display to add a new target. A "Add Target Details" modal will appear.
2. Target Details (Modal):
   • Heading (0-359°): Enter the true heading for the new target vessel.
   • Speed (knots): Enter the speed in knots for the new target vessel.
   Click "Add Target" to place the target on the radar.
3. Target List: On the left panel, you'll see a list of "Targets" currently in the simulation. Each entry provides a summary:
   • Target ID: A unique identifier (e.g., Target 1).
   • Heading & Speed: The target's true heading and speed.
   • Distance: The current range of the target from your own vessel in Nautical Miles (NM).
   • CPA (Closest Point of Approach): The minimum predicted distance between your vessel and the target. This is a critical indicator of collision risk.
   • TCPA (Time to Closest Point of Approach): The predicted time in minutes until the target reaches its CPA.
4. Collision Risk Alert: Targets with a CPA below a specific threshold (currently 0.5 NM) and a future TCPA will be highlighted in orange (or red if selected) to indicate a potential collision risk.
5. Selecting a Target: Click on a target in the "Targets" list or directly on the target's symbol on the radar display.
6. Selected Target Details: When a target is selected, a dedicated card appears, providing comprehensive real-time information:
   • Current Bearing: The true bearing of the target from your vessel.
   • Current Range: The current distance to the target.
   • Heading: The target's true heading.
   • Speed: The target's speed.
   • CPA & TCPA: Live calculated Closest Point of Approach and Time to Closest Point of Approach for the selected target.

4. Interpreting the Radar Display:

• Radar Scope: The main circular area is the radar display.
• Range Rings: Concentric green circles indicate range intervals in Nautical Miles (NM), typically every 2 NM.
• Bearing Lines: Radial green lines and numerical labels (0°, 15°, 30°, etc.) indicate true bearings from the center of the radar (in Relative Motion mode).
• Own Ship Symbol: Your vessel is represented by a white triangle at the center (in Relative Motion) or moving on the screen (in True Motion). Its orientation indicates its heading.
• Target Symbols: Other vessels are represented by red circles (or yellow if selected).
• Target History/Fixes (Red Trail): As targets move, a red trail of small dots appears behind them. These "fixes" mark the target's past positions and are crucial for understanding the target's relative motion. The longer the trail, the more data points available for manual plotting if desired.
• Target Heading Line (Magenta): A magenta line extending from a target indicates its true course. This is particularly useful in True Motion mode.
• Predicted Tracks: When a TCPA is calculated, the simulator draws predicted tracks: a green line for your own ship and a red line for the target, extending to their respective positions at the Closest Point of Approach. A small white dot marks the CPA point itself.
• Relative Motion Vector (Cyan Dashed Line): In Relative Motion mode, a dashed cyan line extends from the target, indicating its predicted future relative movement. This line points directly towards the CPA.

Disclaimer: This simulator is designed for educational and training purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for certified maritime training or real-world navigation. Always refer to official nautical charts, publications, and regulations for actual navigation and collision avoidance procedures.