1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its ninety-fourth session (17 to 21 November 2014),
pursuant to operative paragraph 4 of resolution A.1046(27) on World-Wide Radionavigation System, recognized the
BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), proposed by the People's Republic of China, as
a component of the World-Wide Radionavigation System.
2 The Committee's decision was based on the recommendation and assessment made by the
Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR) at its first
session (30 June to 4 July 2014). The NCSR Sub-Committee assessed the offer of China in
accordance with the requirements of the annex to resolution A.1046(27). The NCSR Sub-Committee had agreed that BDS meets the
operational requirements of the appendix to resolution A.1046(27) to assist in the navigation of ships in ocean waters.
3 Administrations should note that the static and dynamic accuracy of the system is 100
m (95%) and it is therefore not suitable for navigation in harbour entrances and
approaches, and other waters in which freedom to manoeuvre is limited.
4 BDS does not provide instantaneous integrity warning of system malfunction.
Administrations may wish to note that Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM)
can provide this facility. It should also be noted that the accuracy and integrity of
the system can be greatly enhanced by the use of differential correction techniques
using either local or wide area augmentations, or both.
5 Member Governments are invited to bring this information to the attention of all
concerned.