Designed for those who make their living on the sea or who navigate
offshore for recreation, this comprehensive textbook introduces the
mariner to each navigation and communication system and outlines its
uses and limitations in practical application. An introduction to the
basic theory of radio waves and how they affect system use is followed
by descriptions of the various types of equipment and how they function.
Especially useful for the navigator are discussions of radio direction
finding systems, including radar beacons; hyperbolic radio navigation
systems; satellite navigation systems, including the Global Positioning
System and the Global Navigation Satellite System; hydrosonic systems;
radar; and Automatic Radar Plotting. The sections on communications
cover all systems in application in the marine field, including the
Global Maritime Distress Safety System. Also discussed are shipboard
control systems, including compasses and steering systems, and
integrated bridge systems. This book also provides excellent preparation
for those studying for a license examination or serving aboard ships in
the military.