[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 46, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 46CFR10.305]

[Page 140-142]
 
                           TITLE 46--SHIPPING
 
         CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
 
PART 10_LICENSING OF MARITIME PERSONNEL--Table of Contents
 
            Subpart C_Training Schools with Approved Courses
 
Sec. 10.305  Radar-Observer certificates and qualifying courses.

    (a) A student who takes an approved course of training, which 
includes passing both a radar-theory examination and a practical 
demonstration on a simulator, and who meets the requirements of this 
section is entitled to an appropriate Radar-Observer certificate--
    (1) In a form prescribed by the school and acceptable to the Coast 
Guard; and
    (2) Signed by the head of the school.
    (b) The following Radar-Observer certificates are issued under this 
section:
    (1) Radar Observer (Unlimited).
    (2) Radar Observer (Inland Waters and Gulf-Intracoastal Waterway 
[GIWW]).
    (3) Radar Observer (Rivers).
    (4) Radar Observer (Unlimited: Renewal).
    (5) Radar Observer (Inland Waters and GIWW: Renewal).
    (6) Radar Observer (Rivers: Renewal).
    (c) A school with an approved Radar-Observer course may issue a 
certificate listed in paragraph (b) of this section after the student 
has successfully completed the appropriate curriculum as follows:
    (1) Radar Observer (Unlimited). Classroom instruction--including 
demonstration and practical exercises using simulators--and examination, 
in the following subjects:
    (i) Fundamentals of radar:
    (A) How radar works.
    (B) Factors affecting the performance and accuracy of marine radar.
    (C) Purposes and functions of the main components that constitute a 
typical marine-radar system.
    (ii) Operation and use of radar:
    (A) Purpose and adjustment of controls.
    (B) Detection of malfunctions, false and indirect echoes, and other 
radar phenomena.
    (C) Effects of sea return, weather, and other environmental 
conditions.
    (D) Limitations of radar resulting from design factors.
    (E) Safety precautions associated with use and maintenance of marine 
radar.
    (F) Measurement of ranges and bearings.
    (G) Effect of size, shape, composition, and distance of vessels and 
terrestrial targets on echo.
    (iii) Interpretation and analysis of radar information:
    (A) Radar navigation (including visual techniques)--determining 
positions, and detecting changes in the relative motion, of other 
vessels.
    (B) Collision-avoidance, including visual techniques, appropriate to 
the circumstances and the equipment in use.
    (C) Determining the course and speed of another vessel.
    (D) Determining the time and distance of closest point of approach 
of a crossing, meeting, overtaking, or overtaken vessel.
    (E) Detecting changes of course or speed of another vessel after its 
initial course and speed have been established.
    (F) Applying the Navigational Rules, Chapters 30 and 34 of Title 33 
U.S. Code [Commandant Instruction M16672.2C, as amended, or equivalent], 
and other factors to consider when determining changes of course or 
speed of a vessel to prevent collisions on the basis of radar 
observation.
    (G) Use of radar in maintaining situational awareness.
    (iv) Plotting (by any graphically-correct method):
    (A) Principles and methods of plotting relative and true motion.
    (B) Practical-plotting problems.
    (2) Radar Observer (Inland Waters and GIWW). Classroom instruction--
with emphasis on situations and problems encountered on inland waters 
and

[[Page 141]]

the GIWW, including demonstration and practical exercises using 
simulators--and examination, in the following subjects:
    (i) Fundamentals of radar:
    (A) How radar works.
    (B) Factors affecting the performance and accuracy of marine radar.
    (C) Purpose and functions of the main components that constitute a 
typical marine-radar system.
    (ii) Operation and use of radar:
    (A) Purpose and adjustment of controls.
    (B) Detection of malfunctions, false and indirect echoes, and other 
radar phenomena.
    (C) Effects of sea return, weather, and other environmental 
conditions.
    (D) Limitations of radar resulting from design factors.
    (E) Safety precautions associated with use and maintenance of marine 
radar.
    (F) Measurement of ranges and bearings.
    (G) Effect of size, shape, composition, and distance of vessels and 
terrestrial targets on echo.
    (iii) Interpretation and analysis of radar information:
    (A) Radar navigation (including visual techniques)--determining 
positions, and detecting changes in the relative motion, of other 
vessels.
    (B) Collision-avoidance, including visual techniques, appropriate to 
the circumstances and the equipment in use.
    (C) Determining the course and speed of another vessel.
    (D) Determining the time and distance of closest point of approach 
of a crossing, meeting, overtaking, or overtaken vessel.
    (E) Detecting changes of course or speed of another vessel after its 
initial course and speed have been established.
    (F) Applying the Navigational Rules, and other factors to consider 
when determining changes of course or speed of a vessel to prevent 
collisions on the basis of radar observation.
    (G) Use of radar in maintaining situational awareness.
    (3) Radar Observer (Rivers). Classroom instruction--with emphasis on 
situations and problems encountered on rivers, including demonstration 
and practical exercises using simulators--and examination, in the 
following subjects:
    (i) Fundamentals of radar:
    (A) How radar works.
    (B) Factors affecting the performance and accuracy of marine radar.
    (C) Purpose and functions of the main components that constitute a 
typical marine-radar system.
    (ii) Operation and use of radar:
    (A) Purpose and adjustment of controls.
    (B) Detection of malfunctions, false and indirect echoes, and other 
radar phenomena.
    (C) Effects of sea return, weather, and other environmental 
conditions.
    (D) Limitations of radar resulting from design factors.
    (E) Safety precautions associated with use and maintenance of marine 
radar.
    (F) Measurement of ranges and bearings, recognizing limited use of 
radar bearings in curving, narrow channels.
    (G) Effect of size, shape, composition, and distance of vessels and 
terrestrial targets on echo.
    (iii) Interpretation and analysis of radar information:
    (A) Radar navigation (including visual techniques)--determining 
positions, and detecting changes in the relative motion, of other 
vessels.
    (B) Collision-avoidance, including visual techniques, appropriate to 
the circumstances and the equipment in use.
    (C) Applying the Navigational Rules, and other factors to consider 
when determining changes of course or speed of a vessel to prevent 
collisions on the basis of radar observation.
    (D) Use of radar in maintaining situational awareness.
    (4) Radar Observer (Unlimited: Renewal). Classroom instruction--
including demonstration and practical exercises using simulators--and 
examination, in the following subjects:
    (i) Interpretation and analysis of radar information:
    (A) Radar navigation (including visual techniques)--determining 
positions, and detecting changes in the relative motion, of other 
vessels.
    (B) Collision-avoidance, including visual techniques, appropriate to 
the

[[Page 142]]

circumstances and the equipment in use.
    (C) Determining the course and speed of another vessel.
    (D) Determining the time and distance of closest point of approach 
of a crossing, meeting, overtaking, or overtaken vessel.
    (E) Detecting changes of course or speed of another vessel after its 
initial course and speed have been established.
    (F) Applying the Navigational Rules, and other factors to consider 
when determining changes of course or speed of a vessel to prevent 
collisions on the basis of radar observation.
    (G) Use of radar in maintaining situational awareness.
    (ii) Plotting (by any graphically-correct method):
    (A) Principles and methods of plotting relative and true motion.
    (B) Practical-plotting problems.
    (5) Radar Observer (Inland Waters and GIWW: Renewal). Classroom 
instruction--including demonstration and practical exercises using 
simulators--and examination, in the interpretation and analysis of radar 
information, including:
    (i) Radar navigation (including visual techniques--determining 
positions, and detecting changes in the relative motion, of other 
vessels.
    (ii) Collision-avoidance, including visual techniques, appropriate 
to the circumstances and the equipment in use.
    (iii) Determining the course and speed of another vessel.
    (iv) Determining the time and distance of closest point of approach 
of a crossing, meeting, overtaking, or overtaken vessel.
    (v) Detecting changes of course or speed of another vessel after its 
initial course and speed have been established.
    (vi) Applying the Navigational Rules, and other factors to consider 
when determining changes of course or speed of a vessel to prevent 
collisions on the basis of radar observation.
    (vii) Use of radar in maintaining situational awareness.
    (6) Radar Observer (Rivers: Renewal). Classroom instruction--
including demonstration and practical exercises using simulators--and 
examination, in the interpretation and analysis of radar information, 
including:
    (i) Radar navigation (including visual techniques)--determining 
positions, and detecting changes in the relative motion, of other 
vessels.
    (ii) Collision-avoidance, including visual techniques, appropriate 
to the circumstances and the equipment in use.
    (iii) Applying the Navigational Rules, and other factors to consider 
when determining changes of course or speed of a vessel to prevent 
collisions on the basis of radar observation.
    (iv) Use of radar in maintaining situational awareness.

[CGD 94-041, 62 FR 11303, Mar. 11, 1997]