Celestial Navigation as the Emergency GNSS Backup: Enhancing Navigational Reliability

Abstract

The development of Global Navigational Satellite Systems (GNSS) has revolutionised navigation on ships. GNSS, together with electronic chart display information system (ECDIS), has made navigation more accurate, efficient, and safer for sailors. However GNSS signals can be affected by various factors such as spoofing, jamming, ionospheric disturbances etc., while no backup means of position fixing in the open sea are available on board ships. Over-reliance on GNSS without the development of an alternative backup will jeopardise safe navigation of ships. However, most of the alternatives available are either complicated or expensive. By changing certain regulations and further development celestial navigation, a reliable and cost-effective backup system can be obtained.