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the International Journal Volume 9

on Marine Navigation Number 4


http://www.transnav.eu and Safety of Sea Transportation December 2015

DOI:10.12716/1001.09.04.10

Magnetic Compass in Modern Maritime Navigation


E.Lushnikov
MaritimeUniversityofSzczecin,Poland

ABSTRACT: This article looks into the role of magnetic compass in providing the navigational safety of the
ship. Existing requirements for the magnetic compass at the presence of satellite navigation are not
economically justified. Therefore, a new rational requirement is proposed for the accuracy and frequency of
deviation compensation work assuring the safety of navigation and costeffectiveness. The proposed method
hasbeenverifiedbyalabexperiment.

1 INTRODUCTION Rapid scientific and technological progress


requires appropriate actions at legal, economic and
Theturnofthe21stcenturyhaswitnesseda scientific education levels. The outdated regulatory
and technological revolution in the global fleet. Entire inconsistencies with the technical realities of today
classes of navigation equipment and systems have lead to unreasonable financial costs of production,
been withdrawn, e.g. Loran A and Loran C, Decca, and have negative impact on scientific research and
Omegaandradiodirectionfinders. educationalprocesses.
A classical method of ship navigation at sea
celestial navigation completely lost its former
importanceintheglobalfleet. 2 VOYAGESTAGES,NAVIGATIONAL TOOLS
The satellite navigation systems GPS, DGPS, ANDMETHODS
GLONAS, EGNOS have solved the problem of the
discreteness of observation and continually raise Thevoyageofamodernshipcanberoughlydivided
their accuracy in comparison to the former satellite intothreestages:
systemTransit. limitedportwaterarea;
coastalandoffshorewaters;
Thewidespreadadoptionofintegratednavigation oceanicroute.
systems on ships, such as ARPA, VTS, AIS largely
relieved navigators from routine work, and in the Thefirstvoyagephaseisthemostintenseinterms
near future we may expect total elimination of of navigators work because of the proximity of
laborious routine work with paper charts thanks to navigationaldangers.Statistically,mostnavigational
theimplementationofECDIS.Alltheseachievements accidents occur in restricted waters of port and its
are the results of enormous progress of satellite and vicinity. Navigation in this case relies mainly on
computertechnologyinrecentyears. visualandradarobservation.

539
The second phase, coastal navigation, uses all returning to port using only a magnetic compass
types of navigational equipment for ships steering whilethegyrocompasswasbroken.
and control. Keeping the vessel on a given course is
carried out with the aid of gyrocompass, while The magnetic compass is a highly reliable and
movementparametersarecontrolledbyallavailable cheap indicator of ships course. It is a very good
means,includingRADARandGPS. solution to the problem of gyrocompass monitoring
anditsbackupdevice.
Thethird,oceanicvoyagephaseisusuallytheleast
stressful, limited to keeping the vessel on the right
track. This phase of navigation makes use of a
gyrocompass, andgyrocompasserrorsaredetected 4 CONTROLANDBACKUPFUNCTIONSOF
by using a magnetic compass. Satellite navigational MODERNMAGNETICCOMPASS
systems GPS (DGPS), GLONASS, EGNOS allow at
any time to monitor the position of the vessel with The control of technical condition and accuracy of a
highaccuracy. gyrocompass can be done by comparing the courses
from two gyros, but such redundancy is expensive
and relies on power supply. A combination of a
gyrocompass and a magnetic compass much more
3 MAINTASKSOFMARINENAVIGATION effectively and in all circumstances guarantees that
thedestinationwillbereachedinduetime.Statistics
The primary tasks of navigation are precise position showthatthemeantimebetweenfailures(MTBF)of
fixing and precise keeping the vessel on a given todaysgyrocompassis30004000hoursandforthis
course. These objectives are to be met quickly and reasonthequestionofredundancyistopical.
reliably.
Positive indicators of quality gyro and magnetic
Theaccuracyofkeepingthevesselonasetcourse compasses are shown in Table 1 in green and the
in the oceanic voyage phase (the longest one) negative indicators are in red. The gyrocompass +
depends on the accuracy of gyrocompass and magnetic compass set allows to combine good
autopilot, as well as the accuracy of determining indicatorsofthetwocompasses.
externalfactors(windanddrift,icefields).
High precision of the gyrocompass is used in
The most typical and common gyrocompasses of regular situations, while high reliability and
thetwentiethcenturywereCourse4andStandard14, autonomyofthemagneticcompasscometothefore
which had nonfixed axis of hydrostatic suspension incaseofgyrocompassfailure.
of pickup. They had low speed test tracking system
(40/sand80/s,respectively).
Table1.Mainindicatorsofthequalityofmoderngyroand
The mean time between failures of the sensitive magneticcompasses
_______________________________________________
element [6, 7] was 1215 thousand hours. The Indicators Viewofcompass
standarderrorwas m 1o . ofcompassquality Gyrocompass Magneticcompass
_______________________________________________
ThepresentlywidespreadgyrocompassStandard 1. Accuracy[0] 0.500.80 1.20to1.30
20 is said to have a manufacturers error [7] for 2. Reliability[h] 30004000 Nostatistics
speeds of 70 knots at latitudes up to 700 not higher 3. Theautonomy Online Offline
than 0,4 sec . An improved performance
0 4. Thevalue[$] 20,00040,000 2.0003.000
5. Requirementsto Service Theannual
tracking system (750/s) allows to reduce random service rules compensationof
errors of radar direction finding systems ARPA in deviation
stormyweather. _______________________________________________

Thegyrocompassusesmicroprocessortechnology Todaythemagneticcompassandgyroareusually
based on mathematical models in the form of combined within an integrated navigation system,
differential equations. The microprocessor performs allowing to maximize the advantages of either
a calculation and compensation of speed deviation, device, bypassing their shortcomings. In such
aswellasinertialdeviationsthatoccurwhenaltering systems, comparison of data is carried out
courseorspeed.Thesameorhigherstandards[6]are automatically.Thesoundandlightsignalsinformthe
metbynewgyrocompasses:SR180MK1,Gyrostar2, user about a difference of true courses from the
5,Meridian.ThebasesystemGMisbuiltonthe permissiblevalue.
solution of gyrocompass SR180 MK1 and magnetic
compass.Itisdecelerated,thatthisthesystem[6]has An example of such system is Naviwarn from
themeantimebetweenfailure40,000hours. Plath.Thesystemswarningbeepcanbeimmediately
shut off and the signal light turns off automatically
The reliability and readiness of GPS and once the fault is corrected. The system Naviwarn,
GLONASS systems is so high that it does not cause based on the gyrocompass NavigatX, can use the
interruptions. Breaks in their operation are so short magnetic compass Jupiter, Mars and Neptun. Such
andrarethattheydonothaveasignificantimpacton system is the same in the gyrocompass Standard20.
theoperationofthevessel. Naviwarn Gyromagnetic sets and systems are
typically found on highend vessels or navy ships,
Modern gyrocompasses, even those with
whiletherankandfileseafarersusuallydonothave
electronic and computer components, are not the
opportunitiestousesuchsystems.
most reliable navigation devices. A survey of 212
skippersshowedthateachofthematleastoncewas Both functions of a magnetic compass (control
and backup) are essential in terms of ensuring the

540
safety of navigation and of economy. To properly 6 ANALYSISOFTHECURRENTSTATEOFTHE
secure the backup function, regulatory requirements DEVIATIONPROBLEM
for the annual compensation of the magnetic
compass deviation were established in the previous It has long been known that the vast majority of
century. The accuracy requirements for deviation vessels(symmetricalvessels)havethecoefficientsof
were established at the level of 30 for the master deviation A and E that practically do not exceed
compass and 50 for a steering compass. In those 0,6 0 andareverystable[1,2,4].
days, the magnetic compass was not qualified as a
spareindicatorofthecourseandsuchhighdemands Uncompensated coefficient D in newlybuilt
wereunderstandable. vessels is always positive and within 30 50. It also
hasaveryhighstability.Afterthefirst correction of
Although the current status of the magnetic factor (D) by means of soft magnetic iron balls or
compassonboardhasfallen,asitisnowregardedas plates it is commensurate with the coefficients A
areservecompass,therequirementshaveremained. and E (lessthan0.60).
The time and cost of compass adjustment are As a rule, at annual compensation of deviation
quitesubstantial,especiallyforlargetonnagevessels. only the least stable factors of deviation B and C
Compassadjustmentmustbeexecutedeveryyear.It arecompensated.Aftertheircompensation,thereare
is appropriate to take a look at the effectiveness of measurements of deviation on eight courses and
relevant requirements and costs under the new recalculationoftheentiretableofdeviation.
conditions.
Modern methods of deviation compensation are
performedinaccordancetocomplexalgorithmsthat
do not permit any variations or allow for specific
5 ANALYSISOFTHECOSTEFFECTIVENESSOF circumstances.
DEVIATIONADJUSTMENT In fact, vessels with more or less the same
coefficients A, D and E are operated without any
Modern satellite systems have increased the compensationyearafteryear.
reliability of navigation and, as a consequence, the
role of magnetic compass has decreased. In this ItturnsoutthattheannualcoefficientsA,EandD
context, it becomes relevant to ask how costs havelowvalueandhighstability.
associatedwithamagneticcompasscanbelowered. Ifthecoefficients BandCdonotcompensateup
Aboveall,itisnecessarytoreducethetimespenton to zero, and restore their values from the existing
thedeterminationofdeviation. tables, you create a situation in which there is no
According to the requirements of classification need to calculate a new table of deviation. with
societies the table of deviation is legitimate during restoredcoefficientsBandCandconstantcoefficients
oneyearafterdeviationadjustment.However,while A, E and D we return to the previous table of
navigating in ice or in stormy conditions the deviation.Itcanbesignedagainandprovidedwitha
deviation can change after a few days of sailing. A new datetobeusedagain.
oneyear term does not guarantee compass accuracy Therefore, when you restore the old table of
inallcircumstances. deviation,allworkcanbesummarizedontwomain
Thereducedroleandimportanceofthemagnetic compass courses (e.g. N and E) instead of twelve
compass inadvertently reflects its use on vessels. At courses of typical adjustment. The number of
thesametime,theregulationsdonotprovideforany required courses is reduced six times. This gain is
exemptions to quality of service of magnetic veryimportant,especiallywhenyoukeepinmindit
compasses, including the quality of deviation can be executed by a gyrocompass without
adjustment. deviationspolygon.Inthissituation,thereisnoneed
to process measurement data and calculate a new
It is known that if high cost of service does not tableofdeviation.
increase efficiency, people tend to avoid such costs
byhookorbycrook.Thisiswhatishappeningnow The old table of deviation therefore can be
in the global fleet in reference to deviation extended for the next period. Instead of one and a
compensation. Pleskacz in his study based on halfhoursandcostsofproceedingtothetestseaarea
observations of 35 vessels from 17 countries around andback, itisbetterspend10 15minutesoftime
the world shows that the spread of deviation in the withnoneedforcalculations.
0
table today is characterized by a m 4,8 . This
clearlyshowshowthesystemhaddegraded.
Navigators have technical skills and theoretical 7 RESTORATIONOFTHEDEVIATIONTABLE
knowledge to compensate the deviation by
themselves, but in most cases and most fleets they If the gyrocompass correction does not exceed half
have not been accustomed to do that and prefer to degree,asitoftenhappensonmodernvessels,itcan
pay, out of ship owners pocket. The navigators be rounded off and regarded as zero. In this case,
passive attitude towards the control and the gyrocompass course (GC) can be set to the true
compensationofdeviationwillpersistuntilasimple courseTCorotherwise:
method is developed that does not require
substantial time, special knowledge, skills and
qualifications. GC = CC + d + = CC +CE (1)

541
where:
CCcompasscoursefrommagneticcompass;
dvariation;
thetablevalueofdeviationofmagneticcompass;
CEthecompasserror.
ThecoefficientCofmagneticcompassdeviationis
compensated at the compass course CC=00. At the
samecompasscoursethegyrocompasscourseofthe
vesselisequaltothecorrectionofmagneticcompass:

GC=CE (2)

IfonthecompasscourseCC=00theconditions(2)
are satisfied, the deviation corresponds exactly to Figure1. The top of magnetic compass KM145. 1.
potentiometer, 2. vertical soft iron, 3. scale of revolving
the tabular value and any correction of the compass roundverticalaxis,4.compensatorsofcoefficientD,5.cap
is not required. Otherwise, going on the same of compass, 6. regulator of coefficients B, C and vertical
compass course CC=00, a regulator C (diametrical forceZ.
magnetcompensator) is setting the new value of
deviation according to condition (2). Under this This option is very often helpful to users of
condition,thegyrocompasscourseGCisequaltoCE. personalcomputers,allowingthemtoregainthelost
ThecoefficientCisrestored. elements of the Windows system, by the periodic
Similarly,atthecompasscourseCC=900thefactor automaticrecordsofsystemsettings.
B can be compensated. At this compass course the Asimplifiedmethodtorestoretherelevanceofan
gyrocompasscourseisequalto: obsolete table of deviation may be used for a
relatively long time (10 years or longer), if no
GC=900+CE (3) significantstructureborneironreplacement,andthe
replacementofenginestakesplaceinthemeantime.
IfforthecompasscourseCC=900 the conditions
Such an approach will help reconcile the cost of
(3) are fulfilled, adjustment is not required.
maintaining the effectiveness of the magnetic
Otherwise, going on the same compass course
compass and its impact, both in terms of economy
CC=900, regulator B (longitudinal magnet
andsafetyofnavigation.
compensator)issettingthenewvalueofdeviation
sothat(3)issatisfied.ThecoefficientBisrestored. Ships navigational service performs a control
magnetic compass deviation, and if necessary,

restores the table of deviation. If the alteration of
Toperformtheseoperations,youshouldclosethe deviation is substantial (due to major repairs,
binnacle, provide the old table of deviation with the reconstruction of the ship), ships technical service
newdateandsignature. mustorderacompassadjusteronboardoftheship.
Absolutely the same procedure for updating the Itisclearthattheintroductionofsuchasystemof
table of deviation may be performed on any one of deviation compensation must be legalized by the
combinations of compass courses: (NE), (NW), (S relevant legal instruments adopted at the national
E),(SW). andinternationallevel.
Panels of modern magnetic compasses MK115, ItisinterestingthatmodernRulesonConvention
MK145 include regulators (Fig.1) of semicircle Equipment of the Ships [5] has a notation that
deviationcoefficientsBandC. The Register does not oversee the timeliness and
quality of the identification and destruction of
The mean error m recovery of deviation to the deviationofmagneticcompasses.Itfollowsthatthe
tablevalueisdeterminedbytheformula: deviation of a magnetic compass is the problem of
theship.
2 2
m = mGC + mCC + md2 (4) The issue of accuracy standards for deviation
compensation is also very important. Traditional
where requirements for the accuracy of deviation
mGC mean errorofgyrocompass; compensation were established in the 20th century.
mCC meanerrorofobservationofcompasscourse; For the master magnetic compass [5] the maximum
md meanerrorofdeclination. value of deviation after its compensation was set to
be 30. The value of deviation for steering compass
Whenusingthismethod,youshouldavoidareas shall not exceed 50. These demands were
ofmagneticanomalies. understandableandreasonableforthosetimeswhen
there was no satellite navigation and the role of the
This simplified procedure for restoring the
magneticcompasswasmorevital.
coefficients of deviation B and C resembles the
computeroptionSystemRestore. Satellite navigation has increased very much the
safety of navigation. The master always has high
precision coordinates, controls the movement of the
vessel, and the accuracy requirements of the

542
magnetic compass no longer play the former role. It of reproduction of the remaining four coefficients is
has preserved remained its backup role (to be used atthelevel0.20.Sucharesultcouldbedescribedas
justincase). excellent.
During satellite navigation, even if the magnetic Inrealconditionsthe error of restoring deviation
compass is not very accurate, there is always a will be substantially higher. The reasons for this, as
possibilityofusingtwopointsfromGPSandgetting canbeseenfromtheformula(4)isthetotalerrorof
a reasonably accurate ground track angle. In gyrocompass mGC andofmagneticdeclination md .
emergencyconditions(failureofgyrocompass)when Today it can be equal to not more than one degree
theGPSisinoperation,therequirementisratherfor m 1,00 and md 1,00 . The mean error of
magnetic compass stability, reliability being less observation compass course from a magnetic
compass can be taken as mCC 0,5 . The mean
0
crucial.
error of deviation recovery under this condition is
Being aware of this fact allows not to meet the m 1,50 .Thisresultcanbeconsideredasgood.
strict and expensive standard for compensation of
deviation of the main compass ( 30). In the new
circumstances, it is sufficient to maintain the same
levelasforthesteeringcompass(50). 8 CONCLUSION
Experimentalverificationoftheproposedmethod
wascarriedoutatthedeviascope,inthepremisesof 1 Regulations of classification societies concerning
Szczecin Maritime University. The results are annualdeviationcompensationareobsolete.They
presentedinTable1. do not pay off and unnecessarily burden ship
owners and seafarers. In the era of satellite
Originally, the compensated deviation is
navigation the requirement of annual deviation
presented on eight courses in the first column. The
compensation to the accuracy level of 30 must be
coefficientsofdeviationA,B,C,D,Earegivenatthe
reformulated.
bottomofthiscolumn.
2 The herein proposed method of updating a table
Uncompensateddeviationunderthenewposition of deviation using the gyrocompass allows to
of deviation magnets and its coefficients are compensate the deviation quickly and simply in
presentedinthesecondcolumnofthetable. anysituation.
3 The easytouse and affordable method
The restored deviation and its coefficients are guarantees the achievement of a positive result
presentedinthethirdcolumnofthetable. andprovidessaveslaborinreferencetodeviation
compensationwork.
Table 2. Return of the table of deviation on the compass
coursesNandS.
_______________________________________________
Compensated Uncompensated Restored
deviation deviation deviation LITERATURE
_______________________________________________
MK0 KK0 0 MK0 KK0 0 MK0 KK0 0
M. Jurdziski. Dewiacja i kompensacja morskich
0 0.5 0.5 0 2.5 2.5 0 0.5 0.5
kompasw magnetycznych. Gdynia, Wysza Szkoa
45 43.5 1.5 45 48 3.0 45 43.25 1.75
Morska.2000r.182s.
90 89.5 0.5 90 93 3.0 90 89.5 0.5
.. Lusznikow, R.K. Dzikowski. Dewiacja kompasu
135 134.50.5 135 136 1.0 135 134 1.0
magnetycznego. Szczecin, Wydawnictwo Naukowe
180 179.50.5 180 177.5 2.5 180 179.5 0.5
AkademiiMorskiej.2012.104s.
225 224 1.0 225 220.5 4.5 225 225 0.0
.. Lushnikov. Deviation of magnetic compass. USA.
270 270 0.0 270 267 3.0 270 270.7 0.75
Arizona.2010.122p.
315 315.50.5 315 314.5 0.5 315 316.5 1.25
_______________________________________________ V.P. Kozuchov, V.V. Voronov, V.V. Grigoriev. Magnetic
A=+0.40 A=+0.10 A=+0.20 compass.Moskov,Transport.1981.214p.
B=+0.40 B=3.10 B=+1.00 Regulations by conventional equipment of sea ships.
C=0.30 C=1.80 C=0.20 Leningrad,Transport1981.272p.
D=+0.60 D=+0.50 D=+0.50 .L. Smirnov. Marine navigation technique. Sanct
E=0.10 E=0.00 E=+0.10
_______________________________________________ Petersburg,ELMOR.2002.224p.
.L. Smirnov, .V. Jalowenko, V.. Perfiliev, V.V.
Comparison of the coefficients A, B, C, D, E in Voronov, V.V. Sizov. The technical means of
navigation.SanctPetersburg,ELMOR.2000.648p.
the first and third columns indicates that the
coefficient B is restored to within 0.60. The accuracy

543

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