THE VIEWS OF SHIPS OPERATING COMPANIES ON NAVIGATIONAL SATELLITES

James T. Enzensperger

Peer Reviewed

Abstract:	The idea of having a small "black box" in the corner of the Chart Room that will accurately print out the ship's position on command is certainly intriguing to any ship operator. Despite the steamship industry's historic reliance on only tried and true procedures, the fantastic achievements of satellites and satellite communications systems indicate we cannot ignore or underestimate what this technical know how can do for merchant shipping. I have been asked to give the views of ship operating companies on navigational satellites. This paper is the result of discussions with members of the Pacific American Steamship Association. To discuss the operators' attitude toward navigational satellites, we should review our past experience with shipboard electronic equipment. Today almost all ships have been voluntarily equipped with radar. However despite wide use and some 18 years, radar is really still in the "shake down" period. Reliability is far less than satisfactory, averaging more than one breakdown per voyage. A review of ship collisions indicates that radar interpretation and usage also is less than perfect. Loran is becoming increasingly popular and many of the newer ships are being equipped with Loran C. Unfortunately Loran has the same poor breakdown reputation as radar.
Published in:	NAVIGATION: Journal of the Institute of Navigation, Volume 13, Number 1
Pages:	29 - 30
Cite this article:	Enzensperger, James T., "THE VIEWS OF SHIPS OPERATING COMPANIES ON NAVIGATIONAL SATELLITES", NAVIGATION: Journal of The Institute of Navigation, Vol. 13, No. 1, Spring 1966, pp. 29-30.
Full Paper:	ION Members/Non-Members: 1 Download Credit Sign In