Boat Gear

[Uisteach]

Has anyone used a SARCA anchor?

Also, same with a Sea-Me radar target enhancer. Anyone with practical experience?

Any thoughts, also, from a technical point of view?

Cheers.

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[AlexL]

Never used a Sea-Me radar reflector, but it seems to be popular as I have seen alot around - Unfortunately 'Not getting run over by a supertanker' is about the only way you know its working! From a technical point of view it would seem to be a very good idea, It also lets you know you've been 'painted' by someones radar which could be useful in reduced viz, or night.
However no matter how good the return you are still relying on the ships crew to correcty use their radar, which is a big IF. Although I guess a good firm echo should be more likely to be picked up by MARPA or similar automatic type systems.
Personally I prefer to use my own radar and be in control of the decision making element of collision avoidance.

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[Marsupial]

Uisteach

Yes I have a sea-me mounted on a pole at the stern above my scanner but well below the centre of effort. It seems to work. It’s wired via a switch to a sounder that bleeps every time it receives a radar signal (so the sounder is off most of the time). The idea is that when on long voyages the sounder alerts you to the presence of another vessel when their radar is received, instantly they will know where you are because you present a large image on their display. BUT it does rely on three things, electricity, the other vessel having a serviceable radar and someone looking at it.

How do I know it works?

Well our position is “discussed” on channel 13 in terms of “has anyone had contact with the large target moving north at 5knots at position . . . . .”, switching the unit off results in chat like “where has the large target last seen at position . . . . moving north at 5 knots gone”. So we have to be careful when we use it, so as not to cause alarm to merchantmen. Apparently on commercial radar displays we look like a containership. The coast guard plane has 1347 rivets on the starboard side – we have counted them on numerous occasions, I think they fly out to see what is making such large plot – they don’t take an interest if the sea me is switched off.

So I think it’s a great invention.

It does not have any affect on my radar. I don’t have a large mass half way up the mast degrading my stability.

I carry a flat packed aluminium radar reflector in the cockpit locker just in case we loose our power.


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[Uisteach]

Thanks guys.

And Marsupial, thanks for the practical insight, I hadn't realised they could also be a source of on board entertainment. Brilliant! D'you try that in the Channel, or between south of the IoM and Holyhead? And the fishing fleets - getting your own back - appearing in the middle of them as a large container vessel! (Just kidding, but a tempting thought.) (But maybe you're in Oz?)

No one tried a SACRA though?

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