ARPA Operator Certificate

The ARPA operator certificate records training in automatic radar plotting aids, the radar processing that tracks targets and computes closest point of approach and time to CPA. STCW Code Table A-II/1 and the radar and ARPA model courses set the competence standard, and the certificate is part of the radar-observer training a deck officer needs to use ARPA for collision avoidance under the COLREGs. Modern integrated bridge systems fold ARPA into the radar and ECDIS displays.