Compass adjustment by GPS (or any other GNSS receiver) and a single visual reference

This paper proposes a proper compass adjustment method using only a GPS (or any other GNSS receiver) and a single visual reference to enhance the efficiency of compass adjustment. During compass adjustment, the ship proceeds on magnetic courses using a gyroscopic or satellite compass and considering...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of navigation 2023-07, Vol.76 (4-5), p.432-452
Main Authors: Moncunill Marimón, Jorge, Martínez de Osés, Francisco Javier, Cabal Álvarez, Rafael
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Compasses
Declination
Global navigation satellite system
Global positioning systems
GPS
Intelligence services
Magnetic compasses
Magnetic fields
Magnetic variations
Satellite navigation systems
Satellites
Ships
Tonnage
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Summary:This paper proposes a proper compass adjustment method using only a GPS (or any other GNSS receiver) and a single visual reference to enhance the efficiency of compass adjustment. During compass adjustment, the ship proceeds on magnetic courses using a gyroscopic or satellite compass and considering magnetic declination. However, non-magnetic compasses are only compulsory for ships of 500 gross tonnage or upwards (SOLAS V/19.2.5.1). Many ships of less than 500 gross tonnage have only a magnetic compass to indicate heading. In these cases, a minimum of five leading lines or a minimum of five bearings of conspicuous and distant points or sun azimuths are necessary to adjust the compass. This makes compass adjustment more laborious and time consuming. To expedite this process, a reliable and practical method was developed to use the courses over ground given by a GNSS receiver and a single visual reference instead of the headings provided by a gyroscopic or satellite compass. The method is valid for all ships, but is primarily intended for those equipped with only a magnetic compass to indicate heading.
ISSN:0373-4633
1469-7785
DOI:10.1017/S0373463323000176