Install a Marine Radar Reflector
A Great Tool That Can Help Prevent Boat Collisions
See and be seen. Install a radar reflector and help avoid boat collisions.
Navigation Rule 5 says in part, "Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate…" Adding to this, Navigation Rule 7 says in part, "Proper use shall be made of radar equipment if fitted and operational… to obtain early warning of risk of collision…" These rules are taken by the Coast Guard to mean radar equipped vessels should actively use their radar equipment to assist in maintaining a proper lookout and avoiding collisions.
Between the expectations of these rules and an increasing reliance of the marine industry using radar as a navigational tool, being seen by radar is important. Modern commercial vessels use advanced collision avoidance systems that work off the vessels' radar set. These systems can acquire and track radar targets, and sound an alert if there is a risk of collision developing. Small craft, especially those with non-metallic hulls built of wood or composites, are difficult to see on a radar screen. Radar reflectors are one way you can improve your radar signature and work to Avoid Boat Collisions.
RADAR is an acronym that stands for Radio Detection and Ranging. A radar set is composed of a transmitter and a receiver. Radio frequency (RF) energy is transmitted out away from the radar equipped boat. Some RF strikes objects within its path and subsequently reflected to the radar receiver. The radar equipment amplifies the return signal and displays it as a position relative to the boat. Wooden or plastic boats do not reflect radio waves well and are hard to see on a radar screen. The curve of the earth and wave height also limit radar returns and detection.
The best way to be seen by radar is to present a large flat metallic surface well above the waterline that will be struck by the emissions broadcast from the radar set. Commercially there are a number of easily installed radar reflectors available on the market. Radar reflectors come in a number of varieties with many sizes and shapes. A visit to the West Marine webpage shows a number of reflector models and information on how to purchase a good one. Radar reflectors should be installed as high as practical on the boat to improve their performance. Commercial fishing vessels built of non-metallic materials are required to have a radar reflector that provides a radar signature at a distance of six miles installed if operated past the boundary line.
Maine Sea Grant conducted a study of radar reflectors and their effectiveness on sea kayaks. The information is relevant for all boaters and the study titled Radar, Reflectors and Sea Kayaks: A Visibility Study is available as a download in PDF format. Results of the study supported the installation of radar reflectors at any scale and that larger reflectors produced larger radar returns. The study provides a comprehensive background on the issues related to radar, collision avoidance, and carries a number of useful recommendations.
Installation of effective radar reflectors support the age old safety premise of "See and Be Seen".
