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Calls for Satellite Alernative
01 Jan 2005
Concerns over what UK Shipping Minister David Jamieson has called the 'vulnerability' of satellite navigation systems means that a terrestrial alternative is needed, he said. Jamieson made the comments during recent launch of a document setting out the UK and Ireland's strategy for navaids to 2020. He announced that the UK government will work closely with regional lighthouse authorities to adopt asa back-up.
Jeremy de Halpert, Executive Chairman of the UK's main lighthouse authority, Trinity House, said: 'over-reliance on satellite navigation systems is a concern and we must continue to ensure that aids to navigation are in place should these systems fail or fall victim to attack.'
Asked whether carrying Loran-C equipment should be made mandatory, James Taylor, Chief Executive of the Northern Lighthouse Board, said that the lighthouse authorities will 'lobby hard' through the IMO to make it so.
Meanwhile, UK reservations notwithstanding, the European Union's council of ministers meeting last month authorised a ? 2.1 billion deployment phase for the Galileo satellite navigation system, the planned rival to GPS which will also be compatible with the Russian Glonass network.
This will see satellites launched and receiving stations built between 2006 and 2008.
The first of two test satellites is due to be launched towards the end of this year.
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