Benefits of an integrated navigation system: US Coast Guard cutterJUNIPER leads the way

摘要

USCGC JUNIPER is the first of a new class of US Coast Guard shipsbeing built to replace the aging fleet of buoy tenders. Among the moreadvanced systems is a state-of-the art integrated navigation system(INS). Key components include, an electronic chart display andinformation system (ECDIS), a dynamic positioning system (DPS), and theuse of a local-area network (LAN) that provides information from marineradar, speed log, depth-sounders, gyrocompass, fluxgate compass, GPS,differential GPS, and Loran-C. An overview of the design, installation,and operation the INS onboard USCGC JUNIPER is provided. The benefits ofan INS from the perspective of the Officer-of-the-Watch are discussed.In particular, ECDIS and the DPS offer significantly improved missioncapabilities for coastal navigation in shoal waters, for transits duringperiods of reduced visibility, for servicing aids-to-navigation (buoys),oil spill recovery, and for search and rescue/recovery