GPS verification signs

Sign locations

GPS verification signs have been installed as either standalone signs or incorporated into boating safety information signs.

MSV and waterway managers have installed 16 GPS verification signs at boat ramps and jetties.

• Lakes Entrance (three locations)
• Marlo Jetty
• Cape Conran
• Sydenham Inlet
• Mallacoota (two locations)
• Hastings
• Ocean Grove
• Inverloch
• Port Welshpool
• Port Albert
• Paynesville
• Patterson River
• Queenscliff

How to use the signs

• Manoeuvre your GPS unit as close to the sign as possible. These signs are located as either stand alone signs or incorporated into boating safety information signs  allowing you to position your vessel close to them.
• As part of your launch preparations, turn on your GPS system to compare the sign coordinates to those displayed on your screen (Keep in mind that a GPS system does take a little time to initialise before displaying accurate co ordinate)
• Ensure that your GPS unit is tracking at least five satellites and is set to the correct coordinate type (LAT/LONG) and datum (WGS84/GDA94).
• Make sure your GPS unit display coordinates match the surveyed coordinates of the sign. Agreement with the coordinates shown on the sign should be possible to within 15 metres or 0.008 minutes.
• Variations as to the information on the sign and what is displayed on the screen may be due to a number of factors such as proximity to the sign, quality of the receiver, placement of the GPS unit.

How to compare sign coordinates to your GPS display

If your navigation equipment displays a significant variance to the position displayed, check that your system is using a base datum of either WGS84 or GDA94. This information should appear during system start up or on a system settings/information screen.

If your system is using the correct datum and still shows an inaccuracy of greater than 0.01 of a minute (see illustration above) you should contact the product manufacturer or retailer for advice.