Friday, March 11, 2011

Safer Sea Voyage Made Possible By Electronic Marine Systems

By Aaron Kato


Before the Age of Discoveries, the people in the West and the people in the East didn't know a lot about each other. However, when sea expeditions started, discoveries were done. These maritime voyages gave men a more accurate picture of the world. These travels, nevertheless, were highly tough due to less advanced seafaring instruments. Sea vessels sank because of bad weather. Meanwhile, some got lost and were never found.

Now, with the technological improvements created in recent decades, maritime voyages is less dangerous. Navigation has changed from using manual tools to electronic. These technological changes lessened navigational errors which translated into lesser sea accidents. Nowadays, electronic marine systems, particularly GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) technology, is very common for ships.

What does GPS exactly do? Before, GPS technology was only for military use. Then in the 1980s, civilians were allowed to purchase it. Many car manufactures incorporated it in their cars and perhaps, this is where you saw one. GPS technology with the connected with digital maps lets drivers know where they exactly are and what paths to take to reach their destination.

Similar to how it functions in automobiles, GPS technology also helps seamen ascertain their exact location at sea. GPS and other electronic marine systems reduce the probability of marine accidents as these ship personnel are also able to see if other vessels are within their vicinity.

Electronic marine systems, like GPS, are also beneficial to ship owners. When there was no GPS yet, ship owners had no way of determining where their vessels were at sea. They only knew when the ship left the port of origin and when they were expected at the destination. They had no information where the vessel is during its voyage. Through GPS, the shipping companies can now check where their ship is anytime.

Despite the already sophisticated electronic marine systems present today, continuous improvement is underway. Certainly, in the coming years, voyages at sea will be safer and faster.




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