Navigation and Seamanship (1+1)

2.1.2.5. Advantages and Limitations

Gyrocompass has the following advantages over the magnetic compass.

1. It seeks the true north instead of the magnetic north.
2. It can be used near the earth’s magnetic poles, where the magnetic compass is useless.
3. It is not being influenced by surrounding magnetic or electric materials which might influence the readings of the magnetic compass.
4. Its information can be fed electronically into automatic steering unit or autopilot.
5. It also indicates the ship’s rolling and pitching data needed for instruments used for celestial navigation.
6. Corrections like variation and deviation need not be applied in the readings of gyrocompass and the readings are very accurate.

Limitations

1. It requires a constant source of electrical power. In case of any interruption in its operation for any length of time, nearly four hours may be required for it to settle back into reliable operation.
2. It requires intelligent care, attention and maintenance
3. The accuracy decrease when latitudes above 75^o .