Starting a target track

During normal operation, some echoes are clearly more interesting than others. In many situations specific echoes may be regarded as targets. To set up the ST90 system to provide such information, you can start target tracking.

A target track permits the ST90 system to automatically control the tilt and bearing based on the movements of the chosen target. It locks on the target defined by its position, heading and speed. The tracked target is regarded as an object, and it is identified with a circle and two lines. The two lines reflect the size of the current tracking area.

The phrase target is used to identify an echo in the display presentation that you wish to act upon. The echo may be from a material item, a shallow, reef or rock, or from fish, fish schools or mammals. In most cases, the target will move and continuously change its position relative to your own vessel. You must decide which echoes that shall be classified as targets, and whether you shall start manual or automatic target tracking.

The bearing and tilt settings are automatically adjusted to follow the movements of the tracked target. The bearing line is automatically locked on the object to reflects its bearing.

Note:

If you change the tilt or bearing settings manually the priority status is lost. The ST90 system will still attempt to track the target, but the tilt and bearing settings are not adjusted.

By default, a new manually initiated tracked object is automatically given priority status. The priority is identified with a "P". You can only give priority status to one object. If you start tracking a new target the first target will loose its priority. The same applies if you give priority to another marker. The tracking of the first target will however not stop, and the target marker is still shown.

Tip:

Relevant information about the tracked object can be found in the bottom left corner of the view. If you think the text is small and hard to read, double-click on the text field. This will increase the text size.

On the User Settings Setup page, de-select New Manually Initiated Track if you do not want new tracked targets to become priority targets. This page is located in the Installation dialog box. To open the page, select Installation on the Setup menu.

Procedure

  1. Place the cursor over the echo you wish to track.
  2. Press Target Track on the Operating Panel. (Mk1/Mk2)
  3. Press Place Marker on the Operating Panel. (Mk3)

  • or:

    1. Place the cursor over the echo you wish to track.
    2. Right-click to open the shortcut menu.
    3. Select Initiate Track.

    Under certain circumstances the target tracking may not follow the intended echo. This may for example happen if the tracking area is too large. You can start manual tracking by placing multiple markers on a target echo that moves in the view. The physical location of the individual markers and the specific information provided for the latest marker show you the historical path of the chosen target.