Paul Riley
05-29-09, 03:23 PM
I thought it would be interesting to include here all known information on shipping lanes and convoys,with particular attention to co-ordinates if possible.Information such as observed course of shipping (observed for 30mins - 1 hour),and approximate speed.This would appeal to people that want to get straight onto the shipping lanes without much hassle,wasting fuel etc.Some may call it cheating,I think it would allow people to get into action quicker and more efficiently.
Regarding how to record co-ordinates below is the formula I have been using,and I would appreciate it if you could also follow the same formula,as it is rather simple and easy to work with :up:
1 - record initial plot marking as normal
2 - repeat all normal plotting procedure for 30 mins to 1 hour,in order to get good reliable results.
3 - estimate speed (doesnt have to be super accurate at this stage)
4 - confirm course of ship/convoy (again,30mins to 1 hour is still a good time span to get a good fix on the course)
5 - measure the distance from the right edge of the grid square to the first plot marking you made.Place a mark along the bottom edge (starting in the right bottom corner) of the grid the length of that measurement.This is the 'West' or 'W' co-ordinate.
6 - measure the distance from the initial plot mark as it intersects the plot mark along the bottom of the grid.This is the 'North' or 'N' co-ordinate.
7 - You now have the co-ords for the initial plot mark you made,to be used in future patrols.
8 - By extending the known course line from the initial mark for any reasonable distance,say 100km,you are quickly able to start drawing shipping lanes on the map on your next patrol.
Adding the nationality of ships you encountered in the area would also be useful,but this is not crucial.
It would be important to stress that the figures will probably not be 100% accurate from everyone,but should allow us to get within hearing distance of any traffic known to be using the area.Weather effects must be taken into account,causing ships to veer off course at times.But again,should not be too far as to be out of hearing range.Bottom line,its better than having nothing to work on,and simply sailing around aimlessly.
I managed to get several known co-ords during my first shakedown patrol,and they are as follows -
AN84,Merchant,26 N,101 W,course 60,through AN81,7kts
.................................................. ....................................
AN84,Merchant,44.2 N,104.9 W,course 222,6-8 kts
.................................................. ....................................
AN87,Merchant,39.2 N,99.5 W,course 282,7kts
.................................................. ....................................
AN87,Merchant,54.4 N,94.0 W,course 269,5 kts
.................................................. ....................................
AN82,Merchant,74.0 N,13.0 W,course 309,7kts
.................................................. ....................................
As you can see,this could prove to be very useful.Hope to see some of your co-ords next,if you can be bothered that is.Still,not a bad idea eh? :ping:
And dont forget,these co-ords are just for the initial plot mark so you can then extend the course line from it.
Regarding how to record co-ordinates below is the formula I have been using,and I would appreciate it if you could also follow the same formula,as it is rather simple and easy to work with :up:
1 - record initial plot marking as normal
2 - repeat all normal plotting procedure for 30 mins to 1 hour,in order to get good reliable results.
3 - estimate speed (doesnt have to be super accurate at this stage)
4 - confirm course of ship/convoy (again,30mins to 1 hour is still a good time span to get a good fix on the course)
5 - measure the distance from the right edge of the grid square to the first plot marking you made.Place a mark along the bottom edge (starting in the right bottom corner) of the grid the length of that measurement.This is the 'West' or 'W' co-ordinate.
6 - measure the distance from the initial plot mark as it intersects the plot mark along the bottom of the grid.This is the 'North' or 'N' co-ordinate.
7 - You now have the co-ords for the initial plot mark you made,to be used in future patrols.
8 - By extending the known course line from the initial mark for any reasonable distance,say 100km,you are quickly able to start drawing shipping lanes on the map on your next patrol.
Adding the nationality of ships you encountered in the area would also be useful,but this is not crucial.
It would be important to stress that the figures will probably not be 100% accurate from everyone,but should allow us to get within hearing distance of any traffic known to be using the area.Weather effects must be taken into account,causing ships to veer off course at times.But again,should not be too far as to be out of hearing range.Bottom line,its better than having nothing to work on,and simply sailing around aimlessly.
I managed to get several known co-ords during my first shakedown patrol,and they are as follows -
AN84,Merchant,26 N,101 W,course 60,through AN81,7kts
.................................................. ....................................
AN84,Merchant,44.2 N,104.9 W,course 222,6-8 kts
.................................................. ....................................
AN87,Merchant,39.2 N,99.5 W,course 282,7kts
.................................................. ....................................
AN87,Merchant,54.4 N,94.0 W,course 269,5 kts
.................................................. ....................................
AN82,Merchant,74.0 N,13.0 W,course 309,7kts
.................................................. ....................................
As you can see,this could prove to be very useful.Hope to see some of your co-ords next,if you can be bothered that is.Still,not a bad idea eh? :ping:
And dont forget,these co-ords are just for the initial plot mark so you can then extend the course line from it.