Radar technology has been developed to increase vessel tracking and imaging to improve navigation safety in adverse weather.
Manufacturers introduced solid-state radar with no moving parts in Q4 2021 to minimise maintenance from these high-performance bridge systems.
Raymarine unveiled its Cyclone open-array antenna. This is a solid-state and pulse compression radar with maintenance-free components which enables mariners to tackle the harshest conditions and safely navigate busy waterways, says Raymarine.
Its Cyclone comes with 3-, 4- and 6-ft arrays and two high-power output options. Raymarine says these are the lightest open-array radar available and have a wind rating of over 100 knots.
“A fast 60-rpm rotational speed delivers 360° of awareness and accurate tracking of up to 100 distinct targets in real-time, even with the vessel at full speed,” says Raymarine.
There is beam-sharpening technology, CHIRP pulse compression, target separation and long-range resolution functions. Cyclone radar also comes with Raymarine’s RangeFusion technology, which merges short-pulse and near-target ranges with long-pulse, distant target ranges.
There are two power ranges: 55-W Cyclone is equivalent to a 6-kW magnetron radar and Cyclone Pro is 110 W, equivalent to 12-kW magnetron performance.
Garmin launched its GMR Fantom 18x/24x series of solid-state dome radars. These provide long-range target detection using Garmin’s MotionScope technology for target detection and tracking. They have output power of 50 W, double that of existing solid-state dome radars and can detect targets and hazards from 7 m to 48 nautical miles in fog or rain, at a rotational speed of 60 rpm.
A new power-save mode enables users to select when to use full power or to conserve energy. There is also a timed transmit mode enabling masters to specify active and inactive times to reduce power consumption.
GMR Fantom has dual range to view close- and long-range views simultaneously and dual radar support to use two different radar sources on one display.
There is a dynamic sea filter to adjust for sea clutter in calm, medium and rough sea conditions and radar can be overlain on a chartplotter map.
JRC/Alphatron Marine presented its latest solid-state radar technology with low maintenance and high performance at the Europort exhibition in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
This X-band radar comes with a lower-cost X-band amplifier and will be available for delivery in Q1 2022.
Also at Europort 2021, JRC/Alphatron unveiled its new conning software as the first application of its multifunctional information navigation and docking system AlphaMinds.
This conning application is based on an open-bridge design and contains all standard presentations to display the information needed for safe navigation.
JRC/Alphatron will also demonstrate its navigational electronic conning station with a 46-in multi-touchscreen and J-Marine Cloud with operational tasks, smart navigation and voyage management.
Another addition is the expanded JRC NECST online route-planning station with weather data and optimal route planning from Japan Weather Association.
JRC/Alphatron is also introducing a new GNSS receiver to calculate precise positioning, accurate heading, roll and pitch of a vessel. It can use signals from satellites in the GPS, Glonass, BeiDou and Galileo constellations.
St John’s, Newfoundland, Canada-headquartered Rutter Inc has secured a contract to supply radar to icebreakers from the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). Rutter will supply eight sigma S6 Ice Navigator systems by February 2022 to CCG’s icebreaker fleet. It will supply another eight radar in the next three years for more icebreakers.
Rutter’s sigma S6 Ice Navigator connects to a vessel’s existing radar and provides enhanced ice detection, high-resolution imaging and tracking in all weather and low-light conditions.
Sonar linked to ECDIS charts
NAVTOR has integrated FarSounder’s sonar data into its electronic navigational charts for safer navigation and ecosystem protection. Its base software package now includes FarSounder’s Argos 3D forward-looking sonar for detecting more ocean obstacles and preventing groundings. This partnership opens NAVTOR’s e-navigation products to FarSounder customers for improved situational awareness.
Mariners will be able to use ENC chart data and bring automatic identification system and automatic radar plotting aid targets into the chart viewer.
Oil pollution clean-up technology
SurfCleaner has expanded its distributor network for its water cleaning technology with new partners in Italy and Norway. This Swedish company has appointed technical trader Christian Berner in Norway and Italian outfit WTE for sale and service of its pollution-cleaning technology. This can be used for oil-spill clean-up and recovery projects across harbours, ports and coastlines. SurfCleaner’s skimmer can separate oil, diesel, petrol, plastics, sludge and other pollutants from water.
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