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1. On 02nd January 2022, a GPS rollover event occurred which may cause some GPS units to show the wrong position and the incorrect date of 19 May 2002.

2. Stand-alone GPS receivers and equipment using GPS chips could produce data that is 19.7 years in the past, generating errors in both the GPS position and date. The 19.7 year date error may result in instability in positioning, causing position errors (e.g. failure of GPS position acquisition, etc.). This will affect navigation and communication equipment.

3. While the positional fix can be restored by carrying out a cold start on some units, the incorrect date cannot be resolved by a cold start. To fix this issue, the GPS manufacturers will need to carry out a software update. In some cases, the GPS unit may need to be replaced with a newer model.

4. In this regard, Marshall Islands Administration has issued Marine Safety Advisory No.01-22 advising following to vessel owners/ operators and masters;

a. Vessel owner/ operator to contact their GPS manufacturers to determine if the equipment onboard their vessels will require a service technician to update the software and rectify the GPS equipment issue at the first available opportunity, but no later than 31 March 2022.
b. Vessel masters to make appropriate entries in the GMDSS and Deck Log Book and keep boarding pilots and port State control advised if the discrepancy exists on their vessel.

5. Vessel owner/ operators and masters are advised to be guided by above.

Enclosure:

• RMI Marine Safety Advisory No. 01 of 2022.

Disclaimer:

This Technical Circular and the material contained in it is provided only for the purpose of supplying current information to the reader and not as an advice to be relied upon by any person. While we have taken utmost care to be as factual as possible, readers/ users are advised to verify the exact text and content of the Regulation from the original source/ issuing Authority. 

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