RADAR AIDS NAVIGATION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 98, 24 February 1947, Page 5

RADAR AIDS NAVIGATION

INTRODUCTION AT PORT ONE OF FIRST IN WORLD Immediate introduction of the latest radar aids to navigation will make the port of Liverpool one of the first in the world to utilise radar on a full-scale basis for piloting ships in and out of port, states a recent overseas message. Ships now at sea and others due in the River Mersey within the next six to eight months will be “seen” from Liverpool fully 25 miles -before they reach port. They will be guaranteed safe navigation into the Mersey under the poorest conditions of visibility short of absolute ‘.‘zero.” Motive of the new port plan is to speed up the turn round of ships in support of the British export drive, and at the same time to widen the margin of safety in the navigation of the Mersey channel and its approaches. The port handles as many as 70 deep-sea ships at the same time. For Cargo Supervision The Liverpool installation- has been specially designed for cargo supervision—-.the movement in and out of big freighters. ' It will work this way:

Observations will be taken from an 80-foot watchtower, to be erected early this year at the seaward end of the north docks system. The tower will house six radar “displays.” The master “display” will keep constant watch out to sea, scanning Liverpool Bay and the port approaches and revealing all shipping within a radius of 25 miles. Others will pilot the movement of the vessels in-five well-defined sections of the navigational channels and give readings on a large scale.

Master Pilot

The Dock Board pilot craft will be fitted with complementary devices, and radiotelephone will be used by pilots aboard inward and outward bound ships to keep in touch with the master pilot in the radar tower.

Traffic will be at a standstill only when visibility is reduced to zero. Due to the effect of tides on moving ships, it has not yet been found possible to direct ships under such conditions in the way that is post sible with aircraft. A Dock Board tender has been equipped with radar for locating drifting and other river obstructions in darkness and during foggy weather.