1 The Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation, at
its fifty-third session (23 to 27 July 2007), expressed concerns
about sharing between the maritime radar frequency bands
and non-radar services, and noted that some Administrations
are actively developing protection criteria for radar systems
to use as the basis for sharing trials with non-radar systems.
These protection criteria include various parameters that feature
in ITU-R recommendations. However, they are not likely to include
allowances to take account of the "human element" aspects
of maritime radar operation.
2 The aeronautical world has been well aware of
this shortcoming for many years. During any sharing discussions,
a "safety margin" is included which takes account of the
additional protection required to allow for variations in
performance from different radar operators, and various environmental
and other conditions.
3 Recent sea trials had been reported which
used radars required to be carried under SOLAS regulation V/19 on an operational
ship, together with (non-radar) interference sources located
on shore, using realistic small maritime targets and experienced maritime
radar operators. These trials indicated that there were significant
variations in the detection of the targets which can be attributed
to the human element.
4 The Sub-Committee concluded that there was a
need to ensure that a "safety margin" was taken into account to
give additional protection, should sharing with other services
become an active possibility, to ensure that the maritime radar
as a safety service was adequately protected.
5 Member Governments are urged to bring the above
information to the attention of the radio regulatory authorities in
their Administrations.