New guidance on selection of satellite positioning systems

The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), representing offshore, marine and underwater engineering companies, has published a new guidance on selecting the right satellite positioning system for offshore applications, warning that in recent years lower priority has been given to system selection than is wise, particularly in respect of dynamic positioning (DP), and explaining that the use of inappropriate systems has led to delays in project execution, vessel downtime and, in some circumstances, damage to assets.

In the introduction to 'Guidance on the Selection of Satellite Positioning Systems for Offshore Applications' (IMCA S 018) the association explains that the costs incurred during any of these incidents have significantly outweighed the procurement of a suitable system from the outset.

The new guidance document has sections devoted to types of GNSS (global navigation satellite systems), i.e. GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Compass, QZSS and IRNSS; augmentation techniques; service providers; considerations for the selection of the ideal system; recommendations; a glossary and references.