52 OCEAN ELECTRONIC NAVIGATIONAL AIDS 



Radar as a collision-prevention device and as an aid to navigation was evident 

 immediately. 



The Coast Guard has determined a set of recommended minimum speci- 

 fications for Radar installation aboard merchant vessels that has served as 

 a mutual starting point and impetus for future study and development of 

 this equipment to further ensure the safety of lives and property at sea. 

 Realizing its possible use in conjunction with other electronic aids to naviga- 

 tion, the Coast Guard felt that favorable consideration should be given to 

 arriving at uniformity of design and standardization and that every effort 

 should be made to provide simplicity of operation with optimum performance. 

 The problem, however, is broad in its scope because of the varying operational 

 requirements of the ship operators and the expense involved. 



In carrying on this work consideration was given to the experience and 

 knowledge gained during the war, to the employment of a merchant marine 

 Radar with present and contemplated navigational aids, and to the possible 

 future effect that such installations would have on the revision of present 

 navigational laws and possible reduction of insurance rates. As a result, 

 three sets of minimum specifications were prepared by the Coast Guard, with 

 the cooperation and assistance of the Navy Department and Radiation 

 Laboratory. The specifications were submitted at a conference of Radar 

 manufacturers and representatives of the maritime industry as a basis of 

 discussion. As a result of this meeting a new and more complete set of 

 recommended specifications was issued. 



Nothing in the revised specifications is to be considered as a limitation upon 

 the number of improvements or innovations which may become desirable as 

 the art of microwave detection and navigation is developed. As in the past, 

 the Coast Guard will revise these suggested specifications to reflect addi- 

 tional knowledge acquired through investigations of new equipment, contact 

 with engineering representatives of manufacturers, contact with shipping 

 interests and conferences with developmental agencies and interested nations. 

 The specifications are purely recommendatory in nature and have no admin- 

 istrative statutory relationships to other merchant vessel equipment required 

 by the Coast Guard. They are promulgated in the public interest and serve 

 only to further that interest. 



The Advisory Minimum Specification Briefs are to be found in the appendix. 



