Anchoring via

Dynamic Positioning

Dynamic positioning is an automated system that allows a ship to stay in place

without the use of an anchor.

Dynamic positioning relies on pre-determined, satellite-fed information. This is

a system that was developed about 30 years ago and which was primarily used on
research, offshore drilling and oil exploration vessels that needed to have a
means of accurate positioning.

A differential Global Positioning System (GPS) method, provides the vessel with
a degree of accuracy of within about 15 feet, as compared with a regular GPS
system which has an accuracy rate of within 100 feet.

Programmed Readings

Here's how it works: When the ship's Master determines where he wants to
position a vessel, a series of calculations is made and the readings are then
programmed into a satellite console by a Bridge Officer. There after, the
computer receives a series of ongoing positioning information generated by the
computer and subsequently makes any necessary adjustments to individual
equipment -- such as stern or bow thrusters, for example -- in order to keep the
ship true to the Captain's original calculations.
The computer constantly checks to make sure the ship is adhering to the preset
readings. If there are any deviations from these readings, the computer
automatically makes the appropriate changes to compensate for such factors as
wind or tides.

Differential GPS is widely used in port navigation.

In actuality, there are two dynamic positioning methods deployed in today's
market -- the GPS system, which is based on satellite readings; and a second
technique, which relies on readings dispersed from underwater transmitters.

The alternate transmitter method of ship positioning is based on readings from

underwater transmitters; it is an older, though still more precise system.
However, transmitter positioning is more costly and limited in flexibility as
the range of the readings depends upon where the transmitters are installed. In
order to be effective, transmitters actually have to be planted near points
where ships will anchor. You can't drop transmitters as the ship goes along.
Rather, the transmitter system is used in the more stationary oil and research
industries and in ship channels that are narrow and harder to transverse.

Environmental Benefit

Without a need to drop anchor, a ship can hold her position and cause very
little disturbance to the surrounding ecosystem. There is always some impact on
the bottom of the sea, albeit it is minor. With dynamic positioning, this issue
is automatically negated. And, in some highly sensitive areas as the Cayman
Islands -- where boats are actually sent out to advise ships where to anchor --
dynamic positioning is a welcome system.

Another benefit of this positioning system is to passenger tendering operations

because dynamic positioning can keep the ship across the wind and therefore
provides good tendering opportunities on the ship's leeward side. Normally, when
cruise vessels usually anchor, it is the bow anchor which is dropped, meaning
the ship's bow is facing into the wind and resultant wind conditions are
experienced on port and starboard sides, sometimes making for rocky tendering
processes.
It also makes the anchoring process faster to accomplish, as normally it takes
quite a bit of skill and time to drop anchor. In employing dynamic positioning,
however, operations costs increase and certain hardware, such as thrusters, are
affected. In order to use dynamic positioning, the propulsion system must be
running at all times. Also, thrusters have to be made from more durable material
because of the additional wear and tear.

Differential GPS also has a range limitation; because the satellite readings are
beamed from an earth station, a ship must be about 200 miles in proximity of a
land area in order to receive the signals.

Despite the electronic advancement, new technology does not replace old-
fashioned skill. No matter what new equipment is on board a ship, Navigation
Officers must still have the necessary skills to handle these matters.
Additionally, bridge staff should also remember to not only look at the screens,
but look out the window as well.

Meanwhile, manufacturers are making constant tweaks to the system and, this
could open up new and different uses of dynamic positioning on cruise ships in
the future.