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Written question asked by Lord West of Spithead (Labour) on Thursday, 11 February 2021, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 25 February 2021. It was answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton (Conservative) on Tuesday, 23 February 2021 on behalf of the Department for Transport.


Merchant Shipping: Navigation

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 5 February (HL12745), whether, in the event of the failure of satellite-based and radio-based navigation provisions, ships’ officers should use navigation methods that were in place before the introduction of those provisions.

Answer

Merchant ships’ navigation officers, under part of their certificates of competency, are provided practical training both ashore and on board to detect and adequately respond to failures of satellite-based and radio-based navigation systems. These responses already include reverting to use of navigation methods other than the satellite and radio-based navigation provisions.

In addition, merchant ships’ navigation watchkeeping procedures contain explicit instructions to routinely employ alternative navigations systems - such as radar for harbour and coastal waters, and celestial navigation for oceans – so as to not rely solely on the satellite and radio-based navigation provisions.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL13330
Session
2019-21
Related items
Merchant Shipping: Navigational Aids
Friday, 5 February 2021
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects
Navigation Merchant shipping Radio
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk