Based on recent events such as the ferry and private boat collision, I assume there is no integration of radar, AIS and autopilot to avoid collisions with other vessels or land. Is that correct? I've never used any of these so please excuse if this makes no sense. Seems in these high tech times, these systems could work together to warn/avoid potential catastrophes.
Radar, AIS and autopilot
- Thread starter Jake
- Start date
starcrafttom
Active member
There is for avoiding land. Many of the newer systems will create routes that avoid land and water shallower then what every depth you select. That route can be used to guide your auto pilot. It does not how ever avoid logs boats crab pots seals whales etc etc etc. But with the way cars are going I do wee that coming in the future, 10 to 20 years, and being affordable sometime after my death.
Currently running Garmin 7610xsv with integrated radar and AIS300. I do get collision alarms that I can customize for both radar and AIS if I want. In clear weather I have the alarm off but it's very helpful to see that track of a ferry or freighter appear showing a little sinking boat icon at the point where we will collide if I don't take action. The autopilot is very good but won't do automatic avoidance.
To integrate Radar AIS and Autopilot, will be well beyond any of our pay grades. Even interpretation of radar is hard enough for a well trained navigator under some circumstances.
What Tom refers to is the ability of the chart plotter to make a route between two points on the chart to avoid danger and obstructions. Frankly I don't trust the GPS, so I still tend to do the routing manually, and on many occasions look at paper charts the night before.
As far as logs--generally "no"--but if the log is above water it may be seen on some of the digital radars--such as the 3 or 4 G Navico units. I don't know about the latest Fantom from Garmin and Ray Marine's offerings. The eye is better than those however. It is possible to see some with FLIR.
However, there are many logs in the PNW especially which are just under the surface--and some of these can sink a boat. When we had the Cal 46 in the PNW, we ran it on autopilot most of the time, and were standing watch looking for logs--despite that, we hit several large logs which were submerged. Because of the boat's design and construction (over 1" thick hand laid glass of mat and roving), plus the fairly long keel, with a the prop and spade rudder over a foot shallower than the keel, so no damage as the log was pushed down. A thin fiberglass or cold molded hull can be punctured by these logs.
What Tom refers to is the ability of the chart plotter to make a route between two points on the chart to avoid danger and obstructions. Frankly I don't trust the GPS, so I still tend to do the routing manually, and on many occasions look at paper charts the night before.
As far as logs--generally "no"--but if the log is above water it may be seen on some of the digital radars--such as the 3 or 4 G Navico units. I don't know about the latest Fantom from Garmin and Ray Marine's offerings. The eye is better than those however. It is possible to see some with FLIR.
However, there are many logs in the PNW especially which are just under the surface--and some of these can sink a boat. When we had the Cal 46 in the PNW, we ran it on autopilot most of the time, and were standing watch looking for logs--despite that, we hit several large logs which were submerged. Because of the boat's design and construction (over 1" thick hand laid glass of mat and roving), plus the fairly long keel, with a the prop and spade rudder over a foot shallower than the keel, so no damage as the log was pushed down. A thin fiberglass or cold molded hull can be punctured by these logs.
I use AIS, radar (all the time), and Auto pilot (frequently), and agree with Bob, I would not trust it for routing. I mostly use the AP in a "Go to X" mode, not routing over multiple waypoints. The AIS and radar are not integrated, but both REALLY useful. The AIS is not limited to line of sight, so you can see ships on the other side of an island, which radar cannot do.
One time, I saw a deadhead, (log, floating vertically in the water), with about 3 feet sticking up out of the water. It was about 18 inches in diameter. It had a metal cap on that end of the log - probably what the radar picked up on. (And I saw it visually before I noticed it on the radar.) I thought it was a SUP about half way across the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
I have seen kayaks in thick fog, with the radar. They were about 200 to 300 yards out and I had visibility to about 30 to 50 yards at best. Turned out that 3 of the 5 that I saw were white kayaks to boot. It would be nice if my radar was the latest and greatest, high def, but it is not, just an older RayMarine, but I have used it every time the boat is out and I have learned to see what it sees. It works for me.
It would be nice if it did all the auto stuff, but I really enjoy doing some of the navigation functions myself.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
One time, I saw a deadhead, (log, floating vertically in the water), with about 3 feet sticking up out of the water. It was about 18 inches in diameter. It had a metal cap on that end of the log - probably what the radar picked up on. (And I saw it visually before I noticed it on the radar.) I thought it was a SUP about half way across the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
I have seen kayaks in thick fog, with the radar. They were about 200 to 300 yards out and I had visibility to about 30 to 50 yards at best. Turned out that 3 of the 5 that I saw were white kayaks to boot. It would be nice if my radar was the latest and greatest, high def, but it is not, just an older RayMarine, but I have used it every time the boat is out and I have learned to see what it sees. It works for me.
It would be nice if it did all the auto stuff, but I really enjoy doing some of the navigation functions myself.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Ordutch1975
New member
Supposedly with the new Raymarine units and their FLIR cameras the autopilot can "see" more objects in the path of the boat. I don't think I could ever fully trust an auto pilot system.
Ordutch1975":ahs09wti said:
My understanding of that system is that FLIR camera with the Axiom display, it "warns" about non water hazards. I don't believe that is integrated with the autopilot to steer a course around an obstacle. Let me give one example of where that would be a major problem. A vessel is noted ahead, the auto pilot turns the boat to starboard, but there is another boat right along side--and the pilot steers your boat into the path of the other boat. There are so many complex parameters involved that is why all would have to interface--and it could be done...maybe on Navy Ships? :amgry
FLIR is becoming cheaper--Many of the displays of the less expensive units are small (due to low resolution)--and not much better than the $500 hand held units. (but more convent). If Marie wins the $540 Million Power Ball this week, our Ocean Alexander 100 will have all of those goodies on it. :?
in the 90s I was hired to write the user manual for a new scanning sonar product called the "Sonalarm," which purportedly (I never saw it in operation) could scan at any angle in a 360-degree circle around the boat. The inventors claimed it could not only scan straight down like regular sonar—but also ahead, and to the sides and stern. One of the selling points was that it could see logs and other things at or just below the surface, which couldn't be picked up on radar.
A Google search for "Sonalarm" didn't turn up much except for a 21-year-old article in Boating Magazine.
A Google search for "Sonalarm" didn't turn up much except for a 21-year-old article in Boating Magazine.
starcrafttom
Active member
journey on
New member
Here's 5 different ones: forward scanning sonar.
It's an English review but all of the units are available in the USA.
I have an Interphase forward looking sonar, but then Garmin bought Interphase in 2012 and they no longer make them. Works well, though sometimes it gets confused by turbulence.
Boris
It's an English review but all of the units are available in the USA.
I have an Interphase forward looking sonar, but then Garmin bought Interphase in 2012 and they no longer make them. Works well, though sometimes it gets confused by turbulence.
Boris
Pandion":13uf8j78 said:
Many mid grade fish finders have side view--some require a black box, and extra transducers. My son's came with the Side scan transducer etc for about $700.
The forward scan are primarily for slow speed. They don't go out a long range, but are getting better all of the time. Disadvantage is where to put one on a c Dory which is trailered--since it will be sticking out of the bottom of the boat.