BeiDou approved for operations at sea
IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) has formally adopted BeiDou as a navigation aid.
The Committee, at its 94th session of 17-21 November, recognised the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) - proposed by the People's Republic of China - as a component of the World-Wide Radionavigation System (WWRNS).
The decision was based on the recommendation and assessment made by the Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR) at its first session of 30 June to 4 July 2014. The Sub-Committee had agreed that BDS meets operational requirements 'to assist in the navigation of ships in ocean waters'.
The MSC reminds administrations that they should note that the static and dynamic accuracy of the system is 100 m (95%) - and is therefore not suitable for navigation in harbour entrances and approaches or in other waters in which freedom to manoeuvre is limited.
Also highlighted is the fact that BDS does not provide instantaneous integrity warning of system malfunction. Hence administrations are reminded that Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM) can provide this facility. Also noted is that accuracy and integrity can be greatly enhanced by the use of differential correction techniques using either local- or wide-area augmentations, or both.
IMO invites Member Governments to bring this information to the attention of all concerned . .