Helmsman Display

The helmsman display (also known as LR-indicator) in Hydromagic can be used to display the cross track error (XTE) when navigating on planned survey (or dredging) lines. It provides you with information on which direction to steer to follow the planned lines as accurately as possible. This function is also available in Hydromagic Dredging to provide dredge head guidance, for instance, to create trenches.

Activating the helmsman display

The helmsman (or LR-indicator) display can be activated by selecting the 'LR Indicator' option from the 'View' top menu. The display will now be displayed; however, it won't display any useful information until a valid GNSS position is available, and a cross-section or planned survey line has been selected.

Select the "LR-Indicator" option from the "View" menu.

Activating a survey line

Because the cross-track error displayed is calculated from the position of your vessel relative to a line, you must tell the software which planned survey line you want to follow. Please note that in Hydromagic, there is no difference between a planned survey line and a cross-section. Cross sections can be used in volume calculations, cross section displays and as planned survey lines. There are several ways to select a cross-section:

• Right-click on the center of a (cross) section, and select the 'Activate Section' option from the popup menu;
• Select a cross section by using the F11 and F12 function keys;
• Right-click a cross-section in the project explorer and select the 'Set Active' option;

Right click a section and choose the "Activate Section" option to activate.

Using the display to steer

When a valid position is available and a cross-section has been selected, the helmsman display indicates the distance between your vessel and the line, as well as the direction you need to steer:

The helmsman display shows your direction and distance to the selected section.

The value displayed is the distance to the line in the horizontal units selected in the current map projection. When the value is displayed in red, it means you are on the port side (left) of the line, and you have to steer to the starboard side (right). When the value is displayed in green, it means you are on the starboard side (right) of the line, and you have to steer to the port side (left). The line used to calculate the cross-track error (the line that is activated) is highlighted in yellow on the chart display.

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