USCG Navigation Center: Steering a steady course for safe, secure, efficient waterways
The U.S. Coast Guard’s Navigation Center (NAVCEN) is involved in a number of activities that have an impact on all Americans, even if they don’t realize it.From motorists checking directions with their Global Positioning System (GPS) to boaters to ships coming and going to U.S. ports, the NAVCEN plays an unseen but vital role.With a staff of19 officers, 17 enlisted personnel and 19 civilians, NAVCEN falls under the Director of Marine Transportation Systems (CG-5PW) at USCG Headquarters…
USCG – GPS testing off North Carolina
The USCG Navigation Center (NAVCEN) has issued a special notice stating that, from 3 through 10 February daily from 1600 EST to 2145 EST, the GPS navigation signal in waters off Wilmington, North Carolina may be unreliable due to testing of GPS signals used by shipboard, aviation, and handheld navigation devices. From Feb 03 through Feb 10, 2012, daily from 1600 EST to 2145 EST, the GPS navigation signal may be unreliable due to testing on GPS frequencies used by shipboard navigation, aviation and handheld systems. Systems that rely on GPS, such as E-911, AIS and DSC may be affected at an approximate testing center point of 33 45.00N, 77 00.00W, with an impact radius of approximately 75 NM from center point.