Marine Research Applications of the NAVSTAR-Global Positioning System

The availability of the NAVSTAR-GPS Global Positioning System (GPS), even on a limited basis, can provide significant improvements in operational safety, geodesy, and position accuracy of ocean operations conducted for marine research programs. This paper discusses experiments carried out since 1985, utilizing the C/A code mode of operation on board research vessels of varying sizes at the Institute for Marine and Coastal Studies and other west coast organizations. Accuracy comparisons are made between single-station and differential measurements, and installation and operation problems are discussed.