Friday, January 11, 2013

New technology to protect UK shipping

Ships using the English Channel will soon be equipped with technology that protects their navigation systems from jammers being used by drugs gangs and criminals.

There has been an escalation of the use of GPS jammers by a range of lawbreakers who use the devices to stop stolen cars and trucks from being tracked by their legitimate owners.

Ships have been sailing blind through the channel, and officials worry about serious accidents occurring as a result.

The UK government is encouraging shipping companies to fit vessels with devices called eLoran receivers, which enable alternative frequencies to be used for navigation. Seven transmitters for the eLoran system will be installed along the coast including on the Thames and Humber Estuaries as well as near Dover.

"Accurate real-time positional information is essential for the safe navigation of ships with modern electronic charts," said Captain Simon Richardson, head of safety management at P&O Ferries said.
"Satellite navigation systems are vulnerable to degradation of signal strength and our ships have also experienced occasional loss of signal."

Between 400 and 500 vessels a day traverse the Channel.

For more of the Telegraph story: telegraph.co.uk

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