Media Coverage and Helpful Links Concerning Loran News
LORAN (LOng RAnge Navigation is a terrestrial radio navigation system using low frequency radio transmitters that uses multiple transmitters (multilateration) to determine the location and speed of the receiver. The navigational method provided by LORAN is based on the principle of the time difference between the receipt of signals from a pair of radio transmitters.
For years, OceanGrafix has made their print on demand (POD) charts available with LORAN L.O.P.s (lines of position.) The LORAN system has been aging for some time, and a proposal to upgrade it didn't make it through the U.S. federal budget for 2010. It's interesting to note that even though it may be an antiquated system, LORAN has not had some of the quirks that GPS has experienced. For example, Loran is a land-based system not subject to some of the problems that a GPS-satellite system may encounter.
The US government tried to end LORAN before, but found strong opposition to this decision in the maritime community. Discussions about updating Loran-C to Loran-E resulted, but to no avail.
We've copied a couple of press releases with regard to the termination of LORAN here (see blog info also, below).
News Release
Date: Jan. 7, 2010
Contact: Lt. Cmdr. Bob Manning (202) 372-1560
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Coast Guard's Director of Prevention Policy announced Thursday publication in the Federal Register of plans to cease broadcasting the North American Loran-C signal Feb. 8.
As a result of technological advancements during the last 20 years and the emergence of the U.S. Global Positioning System, Loran-C is no longer required by the armed forces, the transportation sector or the nation's security interests, and is used by only a small segment of the population.
President Barack Obama's fiscal year 2010 budget supported the termination of outdated systems and specifically cited the terrestrial-based North American Loran-C system as such an example. The president did not seek funding for the Loran-C system in fiscal year 2010. Termination was also supported through the enactment of the 2010 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill.
The decision to terminate transmission of the Loran-C signal reflects the president's pledge to eliminate unnecessary federal programs.
The Loran-C system was not established as, nor was it intended to be, a viable systemic backup for GPS. If a single, domestic national system to back up GPS is identified as being necessary, the Department of Homeland Security will complete an analysis of potential backups to GPS. The continued active operation of Loran-C is not necessary to advance this evaluation.
The notice may be viewed online at www.regulations.gov, docket number: USCG-2009-0299. For more information on terminations, reductions and savings contained in the fiscal year 2010 budget, including Loran-C, visit www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/TRS/.
Coast Guard announces decision to end LORAN-C
By Susan Schept - Staff writer NavyTimes.com
Posted: Sunday Jan 10, 2010 18:02:40 EST
The Coast Guard officially published its decision Thursday to discontinue its radio navigation tool, known as LORAN, after 66 years of operation.
The decision to decommission the Long Range Aids to Navigation program was published in the Federal Register. The Coast Guard will begin shutting off the North American signal Feb. 8 and finish the process by Oct. 1. The Coast Guard operates 24 LORAN-C stations.
The 2010 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, signed into law Oct. 28, directed the Coast Guard to discontinue the latest iteration of the program, LORAN-C, as long as certain conditions were met: Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thad Allen had to certify that the loss of the signal would not impact the safety of maritime navigation, and DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano had to certify that the system is not needed as a backup to the satellite-based GPS system, which has made LORAN-C obsolete.
Both certifications were made.
On June 12, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement on the future of the LORAN-C program. The impact statement identified two environmentally preferable alternatives - to take no action or to end or reduce Coast Guard management of the LORAN-C program by decommissioning it and terminating the North American signal. The impact statement was required under the National Environmental Policy Act.
"As supported by the analysis in the [impact statement], this record of decision supports and confirms the government decision to end or reduce the Coast Guard's management of the LORAN-C program," according to a Coast Guard statement released Thursday. The decision "is consistent with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's determination that continued public investment in the LORAN-C program is not in the national best interest."
Allen testified before Congress in 2009 that the signal was never intended to be a backup for GPS. Some lawmakers tried unsuccessfully to reinstate funding, citing a Government Accountability Office report that said delays in launching new satellites could cause GPS service interruptions as early as 2010.
Shutting down LORAN-C will save $36 million in fiscal 2010 and $190 million over five years, according to the Office of Management and Budget.
For an interesting blog on the government's LORAN decision, with many interesting comments and opinions, go HERE
For a full explanation of the history and operation of LORAN (thanks to Wikipedia), go HERE
For an insightful article called The Death of Loran by well-known sea expert Chuck Husick:
http://www.soundingsonline.com/news/dispatches/412/248932
