GPS validation at boat ramps soon
GPS validation system to improve boating safety
Release date: 10/10/11
In an Australian first, skippers throughout WA will soon be able to validate their Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment at local boat ramps and jetties using special markers and displayed coordinates.
The marine safety initiative, implemented by the Department of Transport (DoT) with assistance from Main Roads WA and the Surveying and Spatial Sciences Institute (SSSI), is designed to assist navigation and give skippers confidence in using their GPS system.
DoT General Manager of Coastal Infrastructure Steve Jenkins said WA's vast coastline was sometimes difficult to navigate due to the limited number of reference points, particularly in remote areas.
"This initiative encourages skippers to use their GPS in conjunction with traditional charts to navigate their safe return from sea," Mr Jenkins said.
At 34 maritime facilities extending from Esperance to Derby and including some yacht clubs in the metropolitan area, DoT will position the markers, engraved with a location code, in an area accessible to skippers either on the road, kerb or jetty.
On site signage will show the coordinates for the marker enabling skippers with built in or portable GPS units to validate both the coordinates and display datum of their unit which can then be entered as waypoints.
Where signage is not used to display the coordinates on site, the coordinates and marker locations will be available from www.transport.wa.gov.au/gpscoordinates or on request from DoT offices. Participating metropolitan yacht clubs will provide the coordinates of markers to members on request.
Mr Jenkins said the GPS validation system would be particularly helpful to skippers using digital charts and when navigating exclusion zones or protected areas.
"SSSI surveyors will donate their expert services free of charge to position the markers and provide exact coordinates, while surveyors from Main Roads WA will provide technical assistance to ensure suitable location accuracy," Mr Jenkins said.
"The signage displaying the coordinates will assist skippers in finding the markers which are similar in appearance to 'cats-eyes' commonly used in road marking.
"The implementation of the project, which began with key installations at Woodman Point, Fremantle and Hillarys, is expected to be completed shortly."
Rig
Posts: 2925
Date Joined: 27/12/06
Hillaries
Noticed a cats eye with gps marked on it at hillaries on Friday, it's in the middle on a launching bay that you pull into before reversing down the ramp
quindieselbrad
Posts: 329
Date Joined: 01/09/10
nice, a great idea really!!!!
nice, a great idea really!!!!
Catchn dhuies off the smell of an oily rag :)
allrounder
Posts: 1853
Date Joined: 10/11/08
Can see this leading to alot of screw ups
People need to learn how not to rely on gps not the other way around.How many idiots are going to run into reefs or the walls at night or when half cut and tired from a day on the water because they have the middle of the boat ramp marked as home port.More tax dollars wasted imo.It probably to 6 guys 45 mins to put the sign up like down at a carpark in south perth the other day.Its a joke having some guy stand around for 40 mins talking with a spirit level in his hand to do a 5 second check
If you are not able to navigate you have no right being out there.All that will happen is others will have to risk their lives and vessels to save their ass.
So tell me have you got your info from years on the water or hours on the internet?
carnarvonite
Posts: 8668
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Reference point
Its so you can adjust your GPS so the lats and longs coincide with the ones given on the marker. That way all the navigation points, channel markers,etc will or should be the same on your GPS as they are on the charts not some 50 or so metres off.
Tomcat
Posts: 614
Date Joined: 24/02/11
Agree
Totally agree with allrounder
saltatrix
Posts: 1081
Date Joined: 30/03/08
That way we can bust you when
That way we can bust you when your 5 metres inside the no fishing zone; cynical, yeah I know' lol
Didnt a yacht hit an Island years ago followed by a substantial documentary?
Angling tourism is worth $10 billion to the Australian economy - 90000 jobs; more than any sport; spread the word
Tomcat
Posts: 614
Date Joined: 24/02/11
Zone
Don't fish near any zones
saltatrix
Posts: 1081
Date Joined: 30/03/08
Yes Tomcat that is the
Yes Tomcat that is the logical answer but when legal technicalities come into it maybe its what it takes to charge you?
No excuse for a bung GPS, "you should have verified/aligned your GPS prior to departure." Similar to the RST.
Angling tourism is worth $10 billion to the Australian economy - 90000 jobs; more than any sport; spread the word
Laurie8781
Posts: 37
Date Joined: 27/04/08
How do you adjust your GPS to
How do you adjust your GPS to the new coords? I have a handheld unit and there is no way to adjust the readout....
mrwinta
Posts: 457
Date Joined: 14/01/10
How can you say that a
How can you say that a calibration mark for your gps is a bad thing... My old gps has been out by upto 50 meters before... atleast this is an effort where some of the money from the DoT is getting put back into the boating....
NEVER PUSH YOUR GRANNY WHEN SHE'S SHAVING
allrounder
Posts: 1853
Date Joined: 10/11/08
If you adjust it now all your spots could be out.
The other thing is if the owners of the gps service decide they need a variance for a period of time for a military operation ect.Gps gives you an area then the sounder takes over.Not so long ago there was no such thing as a gps and we and the fish did just fine.
So tell me have you got your info from years on the water or hours on the internet?
wombat78
Posts: 171
Date Joined: 20/04/09
yarda yarda yarda isnt it
yarda yarda yarda isnt it the same as cheacking it at the launch point your leaving from last i checked jetties & boat ramps didnt move & pretty sure they dont with out prior warning i know lets bring out another ticket or training coaurse so another idiot can say hes qualified doing something else ;
quindieselbrad
Posts: 329
Date Joined: 01/09/10
will be interested to see if
will be interested to see if all the marks are now off target or if it is smart enuf to adjust everything? anyone know?
Catchn dhuies off the smell of an oily rag :)
Tomcat
Posts: 614
Date Joined: 24/02/11
Rubbish
Sounds like some guys can't go out without a gps there only an aid if your relying on it to be 50mt out god knows how your going to get home from 20miles out go out for the day without it and see how you go just relying on compass that's if you have one
carnarvonite
Posts: 8668
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Well said
Well said, that more than covers all of it.
How many boats do you see at the boats shows that have all electronics fitted but no compass. IMO it should be mandatory the same as an epirb, flares and radio in offshore waters.
quindieselbrad
Posts: 329
Date Joined: 01/09/10
i use my gps to travel thru
i use my gps to travel thru gaps in reefs and small channels between reefs at night time, yes i would definitely be crapn my pants if the gps failed while doing so..... i understand gps isnt needed during the day because there are plenty of markers and landmarks to aim for :) yes i can navigate at night time too but not every where....i carry a spare battery handheld gps for backup ontop of the compass etc
try exploring a new place at night time without a gps lol
Catchn dhuies off the smell of an oily rag :)
Tomcat
Posts: 614
Date Joined: 24/02/11
Gps
Not sure if all gps are the same but the raystar 125 updates it's self allowing for any deviation put in from waas so it's always they claim within 3mts