Rationale for navigation systems for manganese nodule mining

This paper discusses the requirements of navigation equipment for deep ocean mining. The presentation includes the positional accuracy desired, together with the rationale for establishing these requirements. In order to develop an appreciation of the problem, the environment in which the mining is to take place is descibed and some of the specific equipments and related operational characteristics are identified. Positioning requirements are twofold in that positions of both the surface vessel and the bottom dredge must be established. Required positional accuracy is influenced by such factors as terrain variability, size and frequency of obstructions, survival capabilities of equipments and desired dredge path efficiency. This paper covers test and exploration phases with some extension into the commercial mining phase.