SouthPAN: A New Era of Precision Navigation for Australian Mariners
- Captain Cal Callahan
- 5 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Mariners across Australia and New Zealand are about to benefit from one of the most significant navigation upgrades in decades. AMSA has released a new Marine Notice announcing the arrival of a Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) for our region – a game-changer for positioning accuracy and reliability on small vessels and large ships alike.
The system is called SouthPAN, short for Southern Positioning Augmentation Network, and it brings the sort of precision long harnessed in aviation into the maritime domain.
This is not future talk – early services are already live and free to use for anyone with compatible equipment.
What Is SouthPAN?
SouthPAN is a joint Australian and New Zealand government initiative designed to enhance Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) such as GPS, Galileo and BeiDou. On their own, GNSS constellations typically provide positional accuracy of about ±10 metres. That may sound acceptable, but as every mariner knows, 10 metres is the difference between clearing a sandbar and sitting on it.
SouthPAN bridges that gap by providing correction signals from dedicated satellites, improving:
Accuracy – horizontal precision is several times better than standard GNSS
Availability – improved reliability of position fixes in remote regions
Integrity – real-time monitoring of satellite signal health
For the small-vessel sector, this means safer navigation, more confident inshore work, and better integration with modern electronic charting and autopilot systems.
Why This Matters for Small Commercial Vessels
Many operators are unaware that the accuracy displayed on their chart plotter is not always the accuracy they are actually getting. GNSS drift, multipath errors, ionospheric delay and ageing receivers can all compromise reliability. SouthPAN steps in to correct these errors in real time.
For coxswains and masters working close to reefs, bars, channels, moorings and aquaculture infrastructure, this added precision is invaluable. It also paves the way for more advanced navigation and safety systems to enter the small-vessel market – including future collision avoidance solutions, improved survey accuracy, and more reliable electronic position fixing during low-visibility operations.
How to Access SouthPAN
You don’t need to subscribe to anything – the augmentation signal is free. What you do need is:
A SBAS-enabled GNSS receiver, and
Correct configuration so that the receiver can read SouthPAN messages
Most modern professional-grade receivers already support SBAS, but owners of older equipment should check with their manufacturer. In many cases a firmware update may be all that is required.
If your equipment already supports the WAAS/EGNOS/SBAS family of correction systems, there’s a good chance it may work with SouthPAN.
What’s Coming Next?
The current Early Open Services are live now. Australia and New Zealand are progressing toward:
Full Open Service capability by 2028, and
ICAO-certified Safety-of-Life services, mainly designed for aviation
Although Safety-of-Life certification is aimed at aircraft navigation, the maritime industry will still benefit indirectly through the higher overall integrity of the network.
More Information
AMSA has published Marine Notice 01-2023 explaining the introduction of SBAS in our region.
For technical details, diagrams and coverage maps, mariners can also visit:
This is a major development and one well worth keeping an eye on as the technology matures.
Thoughts from Capt. Cal
The introduction of SouthPAN is a welcome leap forward for Australian maritime safety. With chart plotters, ECDIS, satellite compasses and AIS all relying heavily on positional accuracy, enhanced GNSS correction is exactly the direction the industry needs to move.
For small-vessel operators – particularly coxswains working in tight waterways – SouthPAN provides a new level of confidence, precision and situational awareness.
Reach out with any insights or queries.
Capt. Cal
Sail your own course.