Ship spotted "Long Range"

[black1]

When WO calls out this and says long range, what usually is the range, i tend to keep seeing 9,000km or roughly 5miles out. Is this usually the range estimate? I ask this because it is difficult when establishing distance to target without visual by me to start an interception course when not using "map-contact updates". I guess in order to know which way to intercept all I can go on is "constant distance", "moving away" etc and try to plot his course. Please give tips on playing without "map contacts updated", thanks.

[Nefilum]

I think it depends on the weather conditions but yea I usually get the message at around 9km out in good weather. Also day and night prolly plays a factor.

As for plotting long rang contacts, I ping the target with sonar which will give you the estimated range to target. Plot on your map the range and bearing from your sub, wait 5 min or so and do again. Then draw a line between the two points you plotted and you have the ships rough course. From this point you can plot a course to intercept.

This is just how I do it. I use TM and have noticed many times that merchants make a slight course change every 10km or so. So be taking range and bearing often with sonar could be a good idea to make sure the target doesn't move on a bad course for intercept.

Hope that helps

[M. Sarsfield]

I will initially make a course change to go directly at the noise and then ask the sonarman for another reading. I will then zoom time for about 5 minutes and ask for another reading. This gives you a basic N, S, E, W heading. Then, I'll make another course correction to try to intercept the ship(s). Every 5 or 10 minutes I'll ask for another sound reading and make corrections as necessary. When I make maximum visual contact, I try to match course (based on an AOB guess) and do an end-around. If I think that there aren't any escorts, sometimes I will use the sonar ping to get a rough estimate of range. Although, my experience is that it's not very accurate unless it's under 10,000 yards, which is usually in visual range, but handy in poor visibility weather and/or rough seas.

[Slang]

Finding an intercept course is pretty easy once you know how.

First find the bearing the target is on. Either visually, or if beyond visual range via the hydrophone.

With your boat at a complete stop take note of wich way the target bearing changes. Either left or right.

Select a speed setting (I usually use Full or Flank) and start in a direction that you think should be close to an intercept.

Now you need to take note of how the bearing to target is changing over time. Is he still going across your bow, or falling astern?

Adjust your course until the target bearing remains constant over time. When this occurs you are on an intercept course.

I usually find the intercept then adjust so he slowly falls astern. This will put you ahead of the target, giving you time to go to periscope depth and get into a good firing position without being spotted.

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This is a trick I like to use in some circumstances to find target course, without knowing his range.

Get to maximum visual range. You should be able to see the target, but he shouldn't be able to see you.

Roughly match his course as best you can. Observe the target through the TBT, and take note of when he appears to be at a 90 degree AOB. (90 AOB is usually pretty easy to determine, even at long range).

When the AOB is 90 degrees, turn your boat so the target is at either 90 or 270 degrees.

When this happens the targets AOB is 90 and he is directly off your beam. So the 2 of you are running in parallel. Whatever your compass reading says will be the target's course as well.

[black1]

Great tips guys, thanks alot will put to use.