The accuracy of charted port positions in the Pacific as defined by satellite determined positions using multiple observations

Abstract

As a by-product of the marine scientific program on the oceanographic cruises of the University of Hawaii's research vessels, positions for 34 dock or anchorage sites in and around the Pacific basin were determined using the Magnavox 702 CA (MX 702/hp) Satellite Navigator as a fixed point positioning device. While it is apparent that not all positions were determined to the same accuracy, a significant number represent improvements of 15 seconds or more in the charted positions of islands, ports and harbors in the Pacific basin. Thus this work may prove to be of considerable benefit by establishing a network of well known and well surveyed Doppler determined positions in the Pacific which may serve as geodetic position references. More fundamentally, this study will contribute to the safety of navigation in making land approaches by providing more modern and accurate positional information than can be obtained from charts.