I know the GPS rollover is important, but if it does cause problems or fails completely, how will it affect the food chain? Isn't the GPS used mostly for the military? Will problems cause a shortage of goods immediatlely?

-- Carol (glear@usa.net), August 18, 1999

Answers

Carol; GPS is the main navagation tool for Merchant Marine traffic. Befor this loran was used. These are low frequency land based radio pulses, which are still in opperation but the system has fallen in disrepair over the last few years. Being a merchant marine officer myself, without GPS to use for navigation. piloting a vessle from point A-point B will increase the dangers of shipping. Trucks move the consumer items to the stores and gas stations , but the trucks get thier loads at the docks. Will have to keep our fingers crossed today..

-- Capt.Dennis (capden@hotmail.com), August 18, 1999.

I am a bit concerned about GPS, whcih could also affect eletricity and banking. I won't go out without a flashlight anymore. Seriously. Plus--do you have your water ready?

-- Mara Wayne (MaraWayne@aol.com), August 18, 1999.

Carol:

All of the above is true [except mostly used by the military]. It is a navigational aid. Most ships use multiple means for navigation. This works well if you are in the middle of the Atlantic. The largest worry is for ships [like tankers] moving in confined waterways [like the inland passage from Alaska, where time is important to judge tides, etc], where GPS is very important. These are ships operated by big companies who don't want another major spill [remember Prince William Sound]. They should be fixed. One worries about the smaller vessels running fuel from places like Bellingham to Anacortes or Seattle to bypass the shutdown pipeline. Two have been detained already for not having charts for the area. Don't know what they have done with their GPS receivers.

Best

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), August 18, 1999.

The biggest problem could be psychological. If there were a major, obvious failure, like a supertanker cracking up on a reef off of the Florida Keys or banks suddenly sending out wire transfers dated in the 70's or electricity going down for a couple of days...the panic could set in...and most people could be trying to prepare for Y2K (which has the potential of being far worse!) at the same time...

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), August 19, 1999.