Something Seems Squirrelly With GPS, U.S. Agency Says
In U.S. Maritime Advisory 2020-016, the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) warns mariners to be aware of possible interference to the global GPS signal. At the moment most examples have happened in the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf regions and off the coast of China.
MARAD urges mariners to exercise caution when operating underway and prior to getting underway. The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center (NAVCEN) and NATO Shipping Center websites contain information regarding effective navigation practices for vessels experiencing GPS disruption. Maritime GPS disruptions or anomalies should be reported immediately to the NAVCEN online here or via phone at 703-313-5900, 24-hours a day.
From the Sept. 22 MARAD advisory:
In U.S. Maritime Advisory 2020-016, the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) warns mariners to be aware of possible interference to the global GPS signal. At the moment most examples have happened in the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf regions and off the coast of China.
MARAD urges mariners to exercise caution when operating underway and prior to getting underway. The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center (NAVCEN) and NATO Shipping Center websites contain information regarding effective navigation practices for vessels experiencing GPS disruption. Maritime GPS disruptions or anomalies should be reported immediately to the NAVCEN online here or via phone at 703-313-5900, 24-hours a day.
From the Sept. 22 MARAD advisory:
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Issue: Multiple instances of significant GPS interference have been reported worldwide in the maritime domain. This interference is resulting in lost or inaccurate GPS signals affecting bridge navigation, GPS-based timing, and communications equipment. Satellite communications equipment may also be impacted. Over the last year, areas from which multiple instances have been reported include the eastern and central Mediterranean Sea, the Persian Gulf, and multiple Chinese ports. The U.S. Transportation Command “Message for Industry” at https://go.usa.gov/xdSpq provides additional GPS interference information.
Guidance: Exercise caution when operating underway and prior to getting underway. The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center (NAVCEN) and NATO Shipping Center websites contain information regarding effective navigation practices for vessels experiencing GPS disruption. The information reaffirms safe navigation practices when experiencing GPS disruptions, provides useful details on reporting disruptions, and is intended to generate further discussion within the maritime community about other disruption mitigation practices and procedures. This guidance also recommends reporting such incidents in real time; noting critical information such as the location (latitude/longitude), date, time, and duration of the outage/disruption; and providing photographs or screen shots of equipment failures experienced to facilitate analysis. The NAVCEN information is available at: https://go.usa.gov/xQBaU. |
