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IMCA publishes An Introduction to Inertial Navigation
Published on 28 April 2015
The increased use of inertial navigation systems (INS), particularly in support of offshore survey, installation and inspection tasks, has emphasised the need for a general introduction and outline of the use of inertial navigation technology used offshore.
The International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) has risen to the challenge and published ‘An Introduction to Inertial Navigation Systems’ (IMCA S 022) produced for the association by Gordon Johnson under the direction of the IMCA Offshore Survey Division Management Committee.
Jane Bugler, IMCA’s Technical Director explains:”This new document provides a broad overview of INS technology currently in use in surface and subsurface positioning solutions, giving a general overview of the technologies, the applications and a number of important considerations in their use. This is very much a developing area and, as ever, proper planning, preparation and risk assessment is critical to ensuring the successful use of these systems.
“IMCA S 022 does not attempt to provide the reader with an in-depth understanding of the algorithms behind inertial navigation systems, but covers the main components of such solutions and some of their strengths and weaknesses.”
Sections in the 34-page publication look at INS technology. Application of INS technology for positioning; INS aiding techniques; current limitations of INS solutions; future developments; and there is a useful glossary and definitions section as well as appendix containing details on inertial measurement units (IMU) types, export licensing, and references and further reading.
IMCA S 022 can be downloaded free of charge for members and non-members alike from the IMCA website at www.imca-int.com and printed copies are available at £20.00 for members and £40.00 for non-members from [email protected] and from IMCA at 52 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W 0AJ, UK. Tel: +44 (0)20 7824 5520; Fax: +44 (0)20 7824 5521.
Further information
Further information on IMCA and its work on behalf of its 1000+ member companies in over 60 countries is available from www.imca-int.com and [email protected]. The association has LinkedIn and Facebook groups and its Twitter handle is @IMCAint
About IMCA
- IMCA is an international association with well over a thousand members in more than 60 countries representing offshore, marine and underwater engineering companies. IMCA has four technical divisions, covering marine/specialist vessel operations, offshore diving, hydrographic survey and remote systems and ROVs, plus geographic sections for the Asia-Pacific, Central & North America, Europe & Africa, Middle East & India and South America regions. As well as a core focus on safety, the environment, competence and training, IMCA seeks to promote its members’ common interests, to resolve industry-wide issues and to provide an authoritative voice for its members.
- IMCA Vision & Strategy. As a result of work and collective input in 2013, IMCA has redefined its stated core purpose to be”Improving performance in the marine contracting industry”. To achieve this goal, IMCA’s Vision & Strategy has been devised with two elements in mind: Core activities and ways of working.
- IMCA publishes some 200 guidance notes and technical reports – many are available for free downloading by members and non-members alike. These have been developed over the years and are extensively distributed. They are a definition of what IMCA stands for, including widely recognised diving and ROV codes of practice, DP documentation, marine good practice guidance, the Common Marine Inspection Document (CMID) – now available electronically as eCMID, safety recommendations, outline training syllabi and the IMCA competence scheme guidance. In addition to the range of printed guidance documents, IMCA also produces safety promotional materials, circulates information notes and distributes safety flashes.
About the industry IMCA serves
The marine contracting industry plays a vital global role. Its vessels account for 4% of the world’s maritime fleet. Collectively IMCA members employ some 350,000 people and have an annual turnover of around $150bn. They work in all the world’s major offshore areas, delivering large offshore oil and gas and marine renewables projects around the globe that quite literally fuel the global economy.