Instruction manual

PROFICIENCY IN SURVIVAL CRAFT AND RESCUE BOATS OTHER THAN FAST
RESCUE BOATS
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Radar reflector : A radar reflector is a device which is attached to a boat to
make it more visible on radar. Radar reflectors consist of several pieces of metal
which intersect with each other to create a geometric shape which will strongly
reflect radar. There are a number of different styles and designs available, and
several boating safety organizations have tested a range of radar reflectors to see
which models and designs seem to work best, obtaining varying results which seem
to indicate that even with a radar reflector, a boat can sometimes be hard to spot on
radar.
A radar reflector reduces navigational hazards by providing a surface for radar
to bounce from, generating a return which can clearly be read on radar screens. This
will allow larger ships to clearly see small boats in front of them, which can help
captains reduce the risk of collision. Using a radar reflector also makes a craft like a
lifeboat more visible on radar, allowing it to be found more quickly.
Fig. 11.6 Different types of radar reflectors