finding merchant ships

[railman023]

Hi guys why is it merchant ships show up on the navigation page till you go to that location only to find there is nothing there and where have all the merchants gone in English coastal waters its late September 1939 and i haven't had a sniff of a target for days :x

[blkdimnd]

Go to this thread on the forums for great video tutorials.
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=181538

Watch this tutorial to learn how to intercept a convoy.
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1629510&postcount=28

When you get a contact report, that's where the convoy is that minute. By the time you get to that position, the convoy has moved away. So you need to figure out an intercept point.

[misha1967]

Hi guys why is it merchant ships show up on the navigation page till you go to that location only to find there is nothing there and where have all the merchants gone in English coastal waters its late September 1939 and i haven't had a sniff of a target for days :x

First off, get a rough idea of where the ship is going, because it won't be where it was sighted when you get there. If they're in the open ocean, you can usually get a good idea by drawing a straight line from the back of their "tail" on the map through the center of the box that marks their position. If they're leaving port, use your judgment: Where would they most likely go?

Then set a course for that line, keeping in mind how far along they would have traveled along it by the time you get there. Rule of thumb: Most convoys and ships (cargo ones) travel between 6-10 knots. If you're running that same speed, they will have moved as far as you by the time you get there. MY method if I'm in doubt is to head straight for their "presumed" line of travel and then follow it in their direction as soon as I reach it.

And also keep in mind: Just because it shows up on your map doesn't mean that you have to intercept it. Learn to "let go" of the impossible ones. You're not asked to hit everything that shows up on your map.

[pants_marshall]

good thought i wa the only one that couldnt find any ships :oops:

thank god for some great mods out there aswell :yeah: