You’ve seen how EGNOS is assisting safety and efficiency in road and aviation. But what about the maritime sector? A new video has just been produced showing what EGNOS is doing now for craft of all sizes, from ocean-going container ships to leisure boats on the river, and what Galileo promises for the future afloat.

EGNOS maritime applications are already helping to improve navigation, operations, traffic management, seaport operations, inland waterways, offshore exploration and exploitation and fisheries.

To ensure improved efficiency of operations in the maritime and waterborne transport sector, accurate and reliable positioning is absolutely essential. The EGNOS system is Europe’s first satellite navigation system and is a significant asset providing more accurate and reliable positioning services.

Satellite technology has fundamentally changed maritime navigation with the sector being an early adopter of the technology and always quick to embrace new navigational developments.

Whether sailing for pleasure or piloting a super tanker, EGNOS enables better manoeuvring in tight water courses and compliments existing ground-based navigation systems. It helps in congested ports to ease the flow of shipping and improve safety and efficiency through improved accuracy in positioning for docking.

Search and Rescue

Search and Rescue (SAR) services must be able to respond fast to emergencies on water. And for that near real-time location services are critical.

The return link available on the Galileo system will prove to be a life-saver here. The link ensures that the crew on the ship in trouble knows that their distress signal has been received, confirmed and that assistance is on its way. This knowledge has a significant impact on survival.

There are benefits in many more areas too. For example, in environmental protection, enhanced positioning systems provide tools to enable sustainable fisheries.

Want to find out more? Watch the full video ‘EGNOS for Maritime Use: Trusted Precision, Extensive Availability’ to see a wide range of applications and hear views on the future potential in this sector.