Navigation General · Passage Planning — Parallel Indexing
Parallel indexing on radar is a technique used to:
- AMonitor a vessel's cross-track distance off a planned track by reference to a fixed object✓ Correct
- BMeasure wind speed
- CCalculate fuel burn
- DIdentify cloud types
Explanation
Parallel indexing sets a line on the radar parallel to the intended track at the planned passing distance from a fixed radar-conspicuous object. As long as the object's echo tracks along that line, the vessel is holding its planned cross-track distance.
Authority: Bowditch; radar navigation practice
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