Attention all sailors and cruisers! If you’re planning to set sail on or after April 6, beware – your old GPS might send you off course. A major GPS glitch known as the ‘week number rollover’ is about to cause chaos. We’ve issued a special safety alert so you know how to steer clear of this navigational nightmare.
GPS Glitch Hits Older Devices on April 6
On April 6, older GPS systems could start giving wrong positions. The problem stems from a ‘week number rollover’ event that resets GPS timing counters every 19.7 years. As a result, some GPS receivers could show positions and times decades off, making your tricky sea navigation even tougher.
Who’s at Risk?
- If your GPS gear was installed before August 1999, or hasn’t had firmware updates, you’re in the danger zone.
- Newer equipment or devices regularly updated by manufacturers should dodge the issue with minimal risk.
Luke Hallett, Spectrum Policy Coordinator at the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA), warns: “If your GPS is more than 10 years old or hasn’t had firmware updates, you’re definitely at higher risk.”
Act Now or Risk Getting Lost
The MCA urges operators to check their GPS devices before April 6. Without this, your navigation system could malfunction, putting your position and time info out of whack.
Don’t wait until you’re at sea – verify your GPS’s firmware and update where needed.
For full details on the GPS rollover and what to do, visit the MCA’s official page: http://ow.ly/othy30o9cbH
