The Impact of using Non-approved PNT Devices at Sea

Jan Safar, Alan Grant, Martin Bransby and Nick Ward

Abstract:	The General Lighthouse Authorities of the United Kingdom and Ireland (GLA) provide marine aids-to-navigation (AtoNs) for the benefit and safety of all mariners within their waters. These AtoNs include traditional lighthouses, buoys and various radionavigation systems. It is recognised that GPS, or more generally, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) have become the primary means of obtaining Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) information at sea. Vessels bound by the IMO SOLAS convention are required to use type approved and standardised bridge equipment; however such a requirement is not applied to the leisure craft user [1]. With the recent increase in popularity of smart phones, tablet computers and applications (apps) for charting and ship navigation, it is possible that such unapproved systems could be used on the bridge of a SOLAS vessel. If we consider the scenario that a crew member brings onboard a smart phone or tablet PC which is perhaps more up to date than the vessel’s own bridge equipment; the temptation to use the non-approved system would be great. The GLA have considered the impact of using non-approved PNT devices in this manner, investigating the resulting accuracy and availability of the position, if such systems are used on the bridge of a ship. This paper reports on the scope of this work, the approach adopted and the trials undertaken. It describes the results and the implications and risks of using such non-approved systems. Several smart phones and a tablet have been assessed, covering different manufacturers and models, in order to give an understanding of the different effects. Each has been tested under dynamic and static conditions and compared against appropriate IMO performance requirements.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 2013 International Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation January 29 - 27, 2013 Catamaran Resort Hotel San Diego, California
Pages:	374 - 385
Cite this article:	Safar, Jan, Grant, Alan, Bransby, Martin, Ward, Nick, "The Impact of using Non-approved PNT Devices at Sea," Proceedings of the 2013 International Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, San Diego, California, January 2013, pp. 374-385.
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