Revista Sextante

Technological Advancements in Naval Navigation Systems and Their Impact on Maritime Safety

Matteo L. Ferretti

Department of Maritime Engineering and Navigation Sciences, Adriatic Institute of Marine Technology, Trieste, Italy

Keywords: maritime safety, naval navigation, satellite positioning, electronic charts, collision avoidance

Abstract

Navigation is the foundation of safe operations at sea, and naval forces depend on it for every transit, patrol, replenishment, and combat manoeuvre. Over the past half century, navigation has moved from celestial observation and paper charts to satellite positioning, digital charting, radar and sensor fusion, automated identification, and integrated bridge systems. This article examines how these technological advancements have influenced maritime safety, with particular attention to naval practice. It reviews the historical development of navigation, explains the principal technologies in use, and analyses their effects on situational awareness, collision avoidance, grounding prevention, and decision making. The study also considers the new risks introduced by technological dependence, including signal interference, spoofing, cyber intrusion, and the erosion of traditional seamanship. The analysis suggests that modern navigation systems substantially reduce the likelihood of navigational accidents when they are properly integrated, regularly verified, and supported by trained personnel, while unmanaged dependence on a single technology can create new points of failure. The article concludes with policy and training recommendations aimed at preserving the safety benefits of technological progress while strengthening resilience.