(With extra picture) The Dutch Pilots' Corporation (Nederlands Loodswezen) and Reelektronika have developed an alternative positioning system as a backup for satellite navigation to be applied in the port of Rotterdam.
Normally, when piloting deep-draught vessels in Rotterdam, whereby the pilot comes on board about 35 miles off the coast, the Loodswezen uses a portable, autonomous navigational aid. Natural and deliberate distortions of the satellite signal (jamming and spoofing) make satellite positioning vulnerable. This vulnerability spurred Loodswezen to seek an alternative.
eDLoran
Two years of intensive development and testing off the coast of Hook of Holland have resulted in an electronic navigational aid: eDLoran (enhanced Differential Loran). The harbour master's division of the Port of Rotterdam Authority contributed financially to this.
The basis for the eDLoran system is the LOng RAnge Navigation system or LORAN. If the satellite navigation system experiences failure or disruption, it will fall back on eDLoran.
Accuracy of Less than Five Metres
eDLoran makes use of signals transmitted by towers in England, France and Germany. Based on these signals, a location can be determined with an accuracy of less than five metres. With that, this system meets the HANAS (Port Approach Systems) specification of the government.
Increasing Safety
The port of Rotterdam is one of the busiest ports in the world, with about 32,000 ships annually visiting the port. To ensure nautical safety and a smooth traffic flow, the vast majority of those vessels must have a pilot on board when entering and leaving the port.
With the development of eDLoran, a next step has been taken towards keeping the port of Rotterdam safely and optimally accessible.
Picture: Prototype testing eDLoran
Below an extra picture of the eDLoran system. Please click the pop-out link (the little squares) at the bottom right to view the pictures in their proper dimensions.
