Gyrocompass
critical
IMO Required
North-seeking gyroscopic compass for heading reference. IMO-required on SOLAS vessels.
5 yr
Class Survey
20 yr
Typical Lifetime
Typical Manufacturers
Raytheon Anschütz
Sperry Marine
Tokyo Keiki
Raytheon
Known Models (3)
Raytheon Anschütz / Wärtsilä (Germany) Standard 22 / Horizon Gyrocompass
Heading Reference
· Gyroscopic Heading Reference
Voltage: 24V DC / 115V AC
type: Gyrocompass (Mechanical / Fibre-Optic)
size_range: ['Standard 22', 'Standard 22 NX', 'Horizon MF']
variant_count_approx: 3
period_start_year: 1990
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Electric
construction: Spinning mass gyro (Standard 22) / Fibre-Optic (Horizon)
Common Failures:
- • Spinning mass gyro bearing wear after 40,000+ hrs (mechanical)
- • Follow-up system motor failure
- • Heading settling time excessive after power interruption
- • Fibre-optic coil degradation from vibration (FOG models)
- • Compass card repeat signal failure
Service: Spinning mass gyro: bearing replacement every 40,000-60,000 hrs. Follow-up system check quarterly. Heading error check vs. celestial/GPS monthly. Annual survey.
Spares: Wärtsilä Voyage (Kiel). Gyro rotor assembly: 6-10 weeks. Follow-up motor: 3-5 weeks.
Sperry Marine / Northrop Grumman (USA) NAVIGAT X MK1/MK2
Heading Reference
· Gyroscopic Heading Reference
Voltage: 24V DC / 115V AC
type: Gyrocompass (Spinning Mass)
size_range: ['NAVIGAT X MK1', 'NAVIGAT X MK2']
variant_count_approx: 2
period_start_year: 2005
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Electric
construction: Spinning mass gyro, digital follow-up
Common Failures:
- • Gyro rotor bearing wear
- • Follow-up motor failure
- • Heading settling time issues
- • Power supply unit failure
Service: Gyro bearing replacement per running hours. Annual heading verification.
Spares: Sperry Marine (Charlottesville/Hamburg). Lead time: 3-6 weeks.
Tokyo Keiki (Japan) TG-8000 / ES-110 Gyrocompass
Heading Reference
· Gyroscopic Heading Reference
Voltage: 24V DC / 100V AC
type: Gyrocompass (Spinning Mass)
size_range: ['TG-8000', 'ES-110']
variant_count_approx: 2
period_start_year: 1995
period_end_year: None
drive_type: Electric
construction: Spinning mass gyro
Common Failures:
- • Gyro bearing wear
- • Follow-up system issues
- • Heading error from improper speed/latitude correction
Service: Standard gyrocompass maintenance. Bearing per running hours.
Spares: Tokyo Keiki (Tokyo, Japan). Lead time: 3-5 weeks Asia.