The Radar Plot

Well, this is my first post on my new blog, and I have to say it is a geat privilege to be allowed amongst such stalwarts as OG and Johnsee.

Why the Radar Plot?

I believe wholeheartedly that pretty much everything we do or have done in our lives can be related to the sea and sailing. We begin our lives on an empty ocean not understanding where we are, where we’re going, nor having an understanding of the dangers in our path. What is our path … from where to where? Is it a voyage specific? A voyage revisited ( for those reincarnates among us) … or perhaps a mere dalliance, a gentle summers cruise whilst killing time until a greater purpose is revealed?

We have no chart, save the oral history of our parents, grandparents and ancestors.

As we travel we accumulate more knowledge as a seaman collects information of dangers and delights from other seamen. We begin to craft our own charts and as we grow older we begin to share those charts with others. Some of those shared charts may be accurate and of immense value … others … well, lets just say “here be monsters!!!”

We develop our skills as we age and begin to use more advanced navigational tools.

And so we get to use radar … but how many of us fail to realise exactly what it is we are observing when we look at the radar screen … are we seeing the true picture? Is attenuation causing us to be a little short-sighted? And what of all those targets? … are they really targets, or simply multiple echoes of the first? What is their true course and speed?

We have to try to plot those targets and avoid a collision … not always with the utmost success.

We wish we could see into the future at times, having, in effect, and over-the-horizon radar … but it aint gonna help us if we can’t read our existing screen and gain an accurate plot.

Anyway, these are just ramblings of a salty dog with a rust encrusted mind … hopefully I will be able to expand further as this blog develops.

All contributions are welcome!!!!