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Nautical radar

The nautical radar is one of the most complex sensors on the offshore platforms. Nautical radar can be used to determine where ships sail in and around wind farms. This is important information for the Coast Guard to maintain shipping safety in the wind farm.

Image: Robert Keupers

Operation of the radar

A radar consists of a beam rotated by a motor, a transceiver (a device that can send and receive signals), and a waveguide through which the signals travel between the transceiver and beam. The radar sends an electromagnetic signal (an invisible wave between 9 and 9.5 GHz). When this signal hits an object, a reflection is created: the echo. The distance of the object can be determined based on the time between sending and receiving the signal. With smart signal processing, the size of the object can also be determined. The radar bar rotates continuously. This way it can always be checked whether there are ships in the wind farm and where they are sailing to.

The largest radar currently on a platform is over 6 meters (the beam), as visible in the photo.
Image: Annette van den Engel
The largest radar currently on a platform is over 6 meters (the beam), as visible in the photo.

Radar view

The radar provides a continuous video stream of the echo image. With the help of smart signal processing, the best possible distinction is made between a ship and a reflection of something else, such as wind turbines or waves. This image can be shared with various customers via the Radar Distribution Layer. The largest customer of nautical radar data is the Coast Guard, which maintains safety in the wind farms. The combination of radar and AIS data gives the Coast Guard a complete picture of shipping movements in and around wind farms. Other parties also use the data, such as the Scheldt radar chain and port companies.

Image: Annette van den Engel
The reflections (echoes) from the radar on the Hollandse Kust Zuid Beta platform are visible in red. In the blue areas (the contours of the Hollandse Kust Zuid wind farm) you see that the wind turbines also give reflections. The image is a screenshot from the radar viewer on June 10, 2024.

Data

Nautical radar data is safety sensitive. Rijkswaterstaat must comply with laws and regulations for using and sharing the data. This is different at sea than on inland waters. Rijkswaterstaat does collect the nautical radar data at sea, but only the Coast Guard can decide whether, with whom and under what conditions the data can be shared.

Specific requests for nautical radar data on the North Sea can be submitted to digitalenoordzee@rws.nl. The Coast Guard is processing this. Depending on the purpose of use, the Coast Guard decides whether there is a basis for data delivery. If that basis exists, the applicant must sign a data supply agreement (GLO). Rijkswaterstaat carries out the request after approval. There may be costs involved.