GPS back-up

Ship management company, EuroShip Services Ltd, has installed eLoran as a back-up to GPS to ensure the safety of its vessels operating off the UK coast. eLoran is a land-based radio navigation system, proven to take over in the event of a GPS outage. GPS signals travel large distances from space, meaning they are weak when they reach Earth. As such, the signals are easily disrupted by solar flares and space weather, as well as GPS jammers which are available cheaply online and are capable of causing complete outages. Loss of GPS can affect not only a vessel’s navigation systems but also the AIS, RADAR and communications systems.