Radar Observer Endorsement

Although "Radar Observer" may be added to any
Merchant Mariner Credential Officer Endorsement, it is
only required for the following endorsements:
  • Master or Mate of towing vessels.
  • Master or Mate with a tonnage limitation greater
    than 200 tons.
  • Any Master endorsement with an All Oceans route.

To qualify as Radar Observer the applicant must
received profession training in the use and operation of
radar equipment. This training is provided in two parts:
  1. Radar Theory, the setup and operation of the
    basic radar controls, radar navigation and
    systematic observation to determine risk of
    collision.
  2. Rapid Radar Plotting to determine risk of
    collision and collision avoidance maneuvers.
Columbia Pacific Maritime LLC
Call (503) 841-6066 for more information or to schedule a class.

(c) Dennis A. Degner 2006-2011
Issuance Period

All radar observer endorsements are valid for five years
and require a practical demonstration of collision
avoidance plotting skills on a radar or radar simulator
for renewal of the endorsement.

Radar Observer Training

The Radar observer training provided by Columbia
Pacific Maritime uses a hands-on approach and radar
simulations of the lower Columbia River using a Buffalo
Computer Graphics PC Radar Simulator. These class are
taught in a self-paced classroom where students
complete workbook lessons and radar simulator
exercises at their own pace under the supervision of
the approved instructor.

Courses