Maldo, Rex R.

February 18, 2021

BsMar E III – Bravo

Activity No.1 in Bridge Nav. Equipment for Marine Engineers

1. Describe the purpose of each electronic navigational aids identified.

o Differential GPS - to provide positional corrections to GPS signals. DGPS uses a fixed, known
position to adjust real time GPS signals to eliminate pseudorange errors.
o Loran C - was a medium range hyperbolic radio navigation system, which allowed a receiver to
determine its position by using multilateration principles to compare the difference in reception time
of low frequency radio signals transmitted by a group of fixed, land-based radio beacons.
o RADAR - The early purpose of a radar was to detect the presence of a target and measure its range by
transmitting radio waves. Modern radars not only detect target and measure distances, but they also
have the capability of locating, imaging, and identifying targets.
o AIS - The purpose of AIS is to help identify vessels, assist in target tracking, simplify information,
exchange and provide additional information to boost situational awareness.
o ECDIS - The purpose of ECDIS is to replace paper charts altogether and make them obsolete. ECDIS
works in conjunction with rugged Marines displays and other technologies including GPS (Global
Positioning Systems)
o GMDSS - The main purpose of GMDSS is to prevent unanswered distress calls and delay in Search
and Rescue actions when distress situations occur.
o NAVTEX (NAVigational TEleX) - Provide short range Maritime Safety Information in coastal
waters automatically.
o SEXTANT – to determine the angle between the horizon and a celestial body such as the Sun, the
Moon, or a star, used in celestial navigation to determine latitude and longitude.
o GNSS - to provide positioning but by design other information is available or can be derived from the
measurements gathered by GNSS receivers.
o Glonass - provides reliable positioning, navigation, and timing services to users on a continuous
worldwide basis freely available to all.
o Clinometer - used to measure the angle of elevation, or angle from the ground, in a right - angled
triangle.
o Echo Sounder - used to determine the depth of water by transmitting acoustic waves into water.
o Chronometer - used for determining longitude at sea
o Deadman/Watch Alarm System - is used to monitor the presence of an operator or detect his/her
disability that could result in a marine accident.
2. Determine the fundamental principles, operational characteristics, component configurations, advantages, and
limitations of the different navigational instruments related to determining ship’s position.
 GPS
Global Positioning System, is a global navigation satellite system that provides location, velocity and time
synchronization.
Fundamental Principles

The working/operation of the Global positioning system is based on the ‘trilateration’ mathematical principle. The
position is determined from the distance measurements to satellites.

Operational Characteristics
o Following are some of the characteristics of GPS constellation:
o 24 Satellites
o 6 Orbits
o 4 Satellites per orbit
o Orbit Period = approx 12 hrs
o Orbit Radius = 26600 Km (approx)

Component Configuration

Most GPS receivers consist of three basic components: (1) an antenna, which receives the signal and, in
some cases, has anti-jamming capabilities; (2) a receiver-processor unit, which converts the radio signal to a
useable navigation solution; and (3) a control/display unit, which displays the positioning information

Advantages
o The GPS signal is available anywhere on the globe. Hence user will not deprive of GPS facility
o anywhere.
o There is no charge to utilize the GPS service as US Defence bears cost of GPS system. It
o is maintained and upgraded by US Department of Defence. It is cheaper compare to other
o navigational systems.
o The GPS system gets calibrated by its own and hence it is easy to be used by anyone

Limitations
Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are generally useless in indoor conditions as radio waves will be
blocked by physical barriers, such as walls, and other objects. Also, regular GPS cannot pinpoint locations to
greater than 3-m accuracy.

 Gyrocompass
A gyrocompass is a type of non-magnetic compass which is based on a fast-spinning disc and the
rotation of the Earth to find geographical direction automatically.

Fundamental Principles

makes use of a continuously driven gyroscope to accurately seek the direction of true (geographic) north. It
operates by seeking an equilibrium direction under the combined effects of the force of gravity and the daily
rotation of Earth.

Operational Characteristics

A gyrocompass is a gyroscope having a frame with a mass unbalance giving it a pendulosity at right
angles to the spin axis. In normal operation the spin axis will be nearly horizontal and pointed north, while the
pendulosity is downward.

Component Configuration
A modern gyrocompass unit consists of a master unit, a control cabinet, a power supply
unit a speed unit, and auxiliary electrical transmission and alarm units. The compass card has illumination facility
and its brightness is adjustable.
Advantages
 o It always shows true north
o The gyro will have a number of repeaters
o Gyro input can be fed to RADAR/ARPA/AUTO PILOT/Echo sounder
o Does not use earth’s magnetic field for reference
o It will not deflected by any external force such as magnet, iron etc

Limitations
o It requires a constant source of electrical power. In case of any interruption in its operation for any
length of time, nearly four hours may be required for it to settle back into reliable operation.
o It requires intelligent care, attention and maintenance.
o The accuracy decrease when latitudes above 75o .

 SHIP RADAR
RADAR stands for Radio Detection and Ranging System. It is an electromagnetic system used to detect the distance
and location of an object from the RADAR transmitter. 

Fundamental Principles

The marine radar works on the basic principle of electromagnetic waves. The radar antenna sends the high-speed
electromagnetic waves to establish the location, which is the distance, the velocity and the direction the wave
travelled along with the altitude of the object, moving or stationary.

Operational Characteristics

The main features of the marine radars can be explained as follows: The parabolic radar antenna transmits and
receives electromagnetic waves; as far as a target being displayed is concerned, that is basically the wave that
bounced off a certain object that paints itself on the PPI (Plan Position Indicator)

Component Configuration
There are four basic elements in any functional radar: transmitter, antenna, receiver, and indicator.

Advantages
o RADAR can penetrate mediums such as clouds, fogs, mist and snow. ...
o RADAR signal can penetrate insulators. ...
o It can give the exact position of an object. ...
o It can determine the velocity of a target. ...
o It can measure the distance of an object. ...
o It can tell the difference between stationery and moving targets.

Limitations

o Small vessels, ice, other small floating objects may not be detected by the radar.
o Targets in the blind sector and shadow sector of the radar are not displayed.

 AIS
The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a short-range coastal tracking system currently used on ships. It was
developed to provide identification and positioning information to both vessels and shore stations.

Fundamental Principles
The principle of AIS is to allow automatic exchange of shipboard information from the vessel's sensors – inputted
static and voyage related data – between one vessel and another and between a vessels and a shore station(s).

Operational Characteristics
o TRANSMIT YOUR POSITION. Fitting a Class A or Class B AIS transceiver ensures that you are seen
by other AIS equipped vessels.
o VESSEL PROTECTION. As part of a suitably configured network, AIS enables owners to be alerted to
unauthorised vessel movements.
o PORT MANAGEMENT. ...
o COASTAL SURVEILLANCE.
Component Configuration
 The AIS system consists of one VHF transmitter, two VHF TDMA receivers, one VHF DSC receiver, and a
standard marine electronic communications link to shipboard display and sensor systems. Position and timing
information is normally derived from an integral or external GPS receiver. Other information broadcast by the
AIS is electronically obtained from shipboard equipment through standard marine data connections.

Advantages
Improves your ability to follow the movements of other vessels and for other masters to follow your vessel,
particularly at night. When used with an appropriate graphical display, AIS provides fast, automatic and accurate
information about the risk of collision.
Limitations
o The accuracy of AIS information received is only as good as the accuracy of the AIS information
transmitted
o Position received on the AIS display might not be referenced to the WGS 84 datum
o Over reliance on the AIS can cause complacency on the part of the OOW
o Users must be aware that erroneous information might be transmitted by the AIS from another ship
o Not all ships are fitted with AIS

 ECDIS
An Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) is a geographic information system used for nautical
navigation that complies with International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations as an alternative to paper nautical
charts.
Fundamental Principles
The ECDIS utilises the feature of the Global Positioning System (GPS) to successfully pinpoint the navigational
points. It also has to be noted that the ECDIS adheres to the stipulations set by the International Maritime
Organisation, and thus it adds to the trustworthiness of the electronic chart system.

Component Configuration
An ECDIS includes electronic navigational charts (ENC) and integrates position information from the Global
Positioning System (GPS) and other navigational sensors, such as radar, fathometer and automatic identification
systems (AIS).

Advantages
All information is processed and displayed in real time
It eases the process of passage planning
One can get all necessary navigational information at a glance
Alarms and indications are in place to indicate and highlight dangers
Chart correction is made easier in ECDIS as compared to paper charts

Limitations
o The accuracy of the information received via AIS is only as good as the accuracy of the AIS information
transmitted. The same is applicable for all other equipments interfaced with the ECDIS.
o Position of ships received on ECDIS display might not be referenced to WGS 84 datum
o Over reliance on ECDIS for navigational safety should be avoided until it is confirmed that all the data
transmitted, received and displayed are accurate

3. Explain the significance of being knowledgeable on the different navigational instruments related to
determine ship’s position.
The main reason of marine casualties is the human error in respect of ship`s operation. The human error
of officers in charge of a navigational watch is related to their abilities to handle of navigational equipment.
Navigational devices play a key role to help officers decide what to do for safe navigation. Thus, the abilities to
handle of navigational equipment mean not only operation of devices but also entire understanding of the system
such as interpretation of information obtained from devices, appropriate use of information considering
navigational circumstance.

Initial Condition
1. Choose two (2) Navigational Instruments then provide a process of “diagram of operation” to the identified Electronic
Navigational Instruments stated on this module.
 GPS


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 RADAR