What kind of automatic alarms and indicators does an RCDS support?
RCDS issues automatic indicators when an RNC is being displayed over scale, when a larger scale chart is available and when the chart is on a different reference system from the positioning system. RCDS issues automatic alarms for exceeding an off-track limit, deviating from a route, approaching a critical point, using a chart on a different geodetic datum, approaching a critical point/line/area and for an RCDS malfunction. RCDS allows mariners to enter points, lines and areas to designate other alarm items. A mariner may enter obstructions, navigable limits (rough safety contours), prohibited areas, etc. anywhere on a chart or on any chart. These are monitored by RCDS software and alarms can be triggered even though a particular chart is not being displayed at the time an alarm feature is approached.
