Precision Electronic Navigation in Restricted Waterways

Marc B. Mandler, Myriam W. Smith

Abstract:	The United States Coast Guard (USCG) recently completed a simulator-based experiment investigating the use of electronic navigation systems for piloting of deep-draft vessels in restricted waterways. The experiment was designed to determine: a) the accuracy required of the electronic navigation system for navigation in low visibility; and b) the trade-offs among accuracy, sophistication of the electronic display device, and visibility. The findings of this experiment will assist the USCG in exploiting advances in both system and device technology in its waterway design program. Based on earlier research and currently available commercial devices, a generic electronic navigational device was developed on a personal computer and interfaced with the ship’s bridge simulator at the USCG Academy in New London, Connecticut. The generic device could show both graphic and digital information about ship’s position in the channel. The error in the electronic position was varied to determine its effect on pilot performance. The visibility was varied to determine the contribution of visual aids to electronic navigation. When visibility was zero, pilots relied solely on the electronic device for navigation. Commercial pilots navigated a restricted waterway with a particular device, signal accuracy and visibility. Pilots were generally successful in transiting the channel when there were known errors in electronic position information, even in severely reduced visibility. However, a majority of the pilots had difficulty with a severe turn in zero visibility. The findings suggest that navigation in restricted waterways is possible in reduced visibility with the present technology of electronic navigational aids. More work is planned to determine whether or not the addition of radar features in the display will improve the zero visibility performance.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 46th Annual Meeting of The Institute of Navigation (1990) June 26 - 28, 1990 Atlantic City, NJ
Pages:	81 - 84
Cite this article:	Updated citation: Published in NAVIGATION: Journal of the Institute of Navigation
Full Paper:	ION Members/Non-Members: 1 Download Credit Sign In