NAVIGATION REQUIREMENTS FOR GEOPHYSICAL EXPLORATION *

Marine geophysical work requires accurate navigation on a continuous basis. A repeatability of 150 m CEP (circular error probable) with sequential positioning of 15 m CEP is usually acceptable. Quoted figures for many presently available navigation systems yield nearly the required accuracy. In actual operations, however, such accuracies may not be achieved, and usually the performance actually realized cannot be determined for want of independent measurements for comparison. If more redundancy in navigation measurements were available on an integrated basis, the limitations of individual systems would no longer be so critical and the accuracy of measurements could be assessed in real time. Failures in navigation continue to occur. Such failures usually result from ignorance of the capabilities of the navigation system and limitations and consequent choice of a system which is not appropriate to the demands of a particular survey. The points to be covered in work standards are listed.