Marine Link
Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Navigation

Navigation, derived from the Latin words "navis" (meaning  "ship") and "agere" (meaning "to drive") is the process of accurately determining the position and controlling the movement of a craft or vehicle along a desired course. This is accomplished by finding the navigator's position compared to known locations or patterns.

Early instruments used for determining latitude were the quadrant, (which measured the altitude of the polestar or the noonday sun,) the astrolabe and the sextant. Longitude was originally fixed using chronometers and tables showing yearly positions of celestial bodies. The first mariners to explore the world’s oceans developed standard ways of observing and recording their location, the routes they traveled, wind and water currents, and other useful facts. These records, logs, and journals made it possible find their way home and pass along their observations. Each successful voyage became a part of an expanding collection of reliable maritime information.

Modern navigation systems are part of a tightly coordinated and widely integrated transportation system in which each vessel must be responsible for staying on course, avoiding collisions, minimizing fuel consumption, and keeping on schedule. Modern navigation systems make use of many traditional tools, such as compasses, charts, instruments; but over the past century radio beacons, satellite networks and global positioning systems have been relied upon with increasing frequency to determine a ship’s position.

Ship compasses are usually stabilized by gyroscopes and installed in housing which properly compensates for the vessel’s motion. Charts are another essential navigational tool- position is fixed using charts of known locations in concert with instruments that calculate a vessel’s relative bearing. Dead reckoning is a method which relies on recording the accurate velocity calculated by gyroscopes and computer analysis of the vessel’s acceleration.

Tags: Navigation

Source: Avikus

Avikus Joins Consortium Working on Autonomous Navigation Standards

Autonomous navigation solution provider Avikus, a subsidiary of HD Hyundai, has joined…

© Garnelis / Adobe Stock

US to Evaluate Russian Demands for Black Sea Ceasefire

The United States will evaluate demands made by Russia after Moscow had agreed "in…

An agreement on freedom of navigation in the Black Sea to ensure the protection of civilian vessels and port infrastructure is critical to global food security, says the UN. Credit: Adobe Stock/nmann77

UN: Freedom of Navigation in the Black Sea is Crucial to Global Food Security

An agreement on freedom of navigation in the Black Sea to ensure the protection of…

Source: IMO

UN Agencies Call for Protection of Satellite Navigation

Increasing incidents of interference with aviation, maritime and other satellite…

Orca AI's SeaPod digital watchkeeper was integrated by Seaspan Corporation across its entire fleet. Credit: Orca AI

Seaspan Corporation Integrates Orca AI's SeaPod Across Fleet

Orca AI celebrated a milestone as Seaspan Corporation, a global containership powerhouse…

© Odin AI / Adobe Stock

GTT’s Ascenz Marorka Adds Americas to Fleet Performance Monitoring Tool

Ascenz Marorka, GTT’s smart shipping arm, has expanded its real-time fleet performance…

Mirai II research icebreaker (Credit: Screenshot/Video by JAMSTEC)

JAMSTEC Launches Japan’s First Arctic Research Vessel

The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) has launched Japan’s…

Source: MTI

ABS Approves Framework for Autonomous Navigation Lifecycle Management

ABS has granted approval in principle to Monohakobi Technology Institute (MTI) for…

An ST Engineering vessel equipped with the AUTONOMAST system, conducts autonomous navigation and force protection maneuvers during an Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) capabilities demonstration at Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH).
U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Terry Stennett

Uncrewed Maritime Vessels Must Leverage AI

In September 2024, the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Lisa Franchetti, issued…

(Credit: Anschütz)

Anschütz Rolls Out Navigation and Command System for Autonomous Navy Ops

German navigation specialist Anschütz has developed a navigation and command system…

Source: ABS

ABS Holds Inaugural South America Regional Committee Meeting

Maritime and offshore energy leaders from Brazil, Argentina, Chile and throughout…

The Irish Delegation to IALA with IALA Secretary General and Council President: (L-R) Ronan Boyle,: Yvonne Shields O’Connor, Francis Zachariae, Eamonn Kelly, and William Priestley. Credit: Dept. of Transport (Ireland)

Ireland Elected to the Council of IALA

Ireland has been elected to the Council of IALA, the International Organisation for…

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