Radar is out? Stop cursing and grab a plotting sheet.

Ok your entering the fairway at Galveston and your radar goes out, what is plan B?

How about handing the mate a plotting sheet and sending him to the AIS? Before the look of confusion leaves his (or your) face here’s what he needs to do:

1) Remember his grease pencil plotting skills.

2) Identify the critical targets, get their bearing off the gyro repeater along with an approximate range.

3) Find the targets on the AIS, get their actual range / bearing and plot them on your plotting sheet ( or maneuvering board ).

4) Repeat every 6 or 12 minutes.

Updated: February 5, 2026 (Originally published September 10, 2009)

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