IMCA Mini RadaScan, Owner'S Manual

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IMCA M 229 25
3. Is the mounting position of the responders important to the performance of
Mini RadaScan?
Yes. Mini RadaScan requires a clear view of a responder in order to operate successfully. Responders
are best mounted with the active face directly facing the sensor. The viewing angle is more important
than the distance between the responder and the sensor. Responder mounting brackets that swivel are
available to ensure optimum responder location and direction.
4. What sea states can Mini RadaScan operate in?
Experience in the North Sea has shown Mini RadaScan working satisfactorily to produce stable DP
position data for prolonged periods in 3 m sea states. Such challenging conditions require optimum
responder placement in relation to the Mini RadaScan sensor.
5. Can multiple vessels use a single Mini RadaScan responder at the same time?
Yes. The characteristics of the responder allow multiple sensors to use it simultaneously.
6. What is the advantage of using coded responder for Mini RadaScan?
The coded responders add their unique identity codes to the reflections that they send back to the
sensor. The codes are used in the sensor’s location measurement and tracking algorithms to ensure
good stability, even in the cluttered radar environments found offshore.
7. Can Mini RadaScan be used in the proximity of personnel? Is it safe?
Yes. Mini RadaScan is a local position reference sensor and only outputs low power transmission of the
order of a few watts. The minimum safe distance is contained within the radome. There is no safety
risk to personnel working on the Mini RadaScan equipped vessel or on the target installation.
8. What type of DP systems can Mini RadaScan be connected to?
The Mini RadaScan was designed specifically as a generic DP position reference sensor. It supports all
the major DP systems and is supplied with numerous selectable DP message formats for configuration
at installation. Refer to technical specification.
9. Can responders be used in hazardous areas?
Yes. All responders are ATEX certified and intrinsically safe for use in hazardous atmospheres.
10. The responders are battery powered. What is the lifetime of the batteries and how are
they replaced?
The responder should only be serviced by a certified technician according to ATEX guidelines in a dry
and non-hazardous area. Battery powered responders should provide 30 days of operation before
requiring a charge whilst the power cell pack (PCP) responders provide one year of operation after
which the PCP needs replacing.
11. Are battery responders suitable for temporary deployment?
Yes. Responders are self-contained and powered by internal batteries. They are available in a robust
transit case for easy transfer to, and rapid deployment in, the required target location. However, if they
are temporarily handed over to the platform by the vessel to support a DP operation, care must be
taken to mount and orientate the responder according to the recommended instructions. Carelessly
mounted responders can result in poor performance of the vessel’s DP system. For this reason, we
recommend permanent installation of the responders on the fixed platform to provide optimum
performance and DP setup.
12. Can Mini RadaScan be installed semi-permanently? What is needed for installation?
The sensor installation is usually considered as permanent and would require a procedure to be moved
around the vessel on a regular basis. Contact Guidance Marine for further details.