Benefits of an integrated navigation system: US Coast Guard cutter JUNIPER leads the way

USCGC JUNIPER is the first of a new class of US Coast Guard ships being built to replace the aging fleet of buoy tenders. Among the more advanced systems is a state-of-the art integrated navigation system (INS). Key components include, an electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS), a dynamic positioning system (DPS), and the use of a local-area network (LAN) that provides information from marine radar, speed log, depth-sounders, gyrocompass, fluxgate compass, GPS, differential GPS, and Loran-C. An overview of the design, installation, and operation the INS onboard USCGC JUNIPER is provided. The benefits of an INS from the perspective of the Officer-of-the-Watch are discussed. In particular, ECDIS and the DPS offer significantly improved mission capabilities for coastal navigation in shoal waters, for transits during periods of reduced visibility, for servicing aids-to-navigation (buoys), oil spill recovery, and for search and rescue/recovery.