GPS disruptions reported by boaters in Gulf of Finland raise concerns over navigation safety
Toni Redsven, who lives on his boat year-round, has experienced GPS disruptions multiple times over the past summer, with the latest incident occurring this week while driving to Tallinn with his family. “The disruptions started practically as soon as we crossed the Finnish territorial waters and continued throughout the journey,” Redsven explained.
In July, while sailing in eastern Gulf of Finland near Kotka, his GPS devices failed completely. Fortunately, these disruptions have not caused any dangerous situations, as he always has paper charts on hand. Redsven and his spouse run a YouTube channel named after their boat, m/s Orbiit, where they discuss these GPS issues.
According to a recent report from Yle, GPS disruptions have significantly increased in the Gulf of Finland this early fall. The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) hopes boaters will report any disturbances encountered in all water areas.
Several interviewed boaters confirmed similar GPS issues, such as their vessels appearing in incorrect locations on maps. Bettina Sågbom, a sailing instructor, noted that disruptions often occur in the same areas, particularly around Hangö. “I’ve noticed GPS glitches in the same spot every time I sail there,” she said.
Martti Lehto, research director at the University of Jyväskylä, confirmed the presence of disturbances in Redsven’s video but stated it is unclear whether they result from interference or technical faults, which could stem from satellite issues, equipment placement, or even space weather phenomena.
GPS disturbances have reportedly increased since the onset of the Ukraine war, with Lehto suggesting active interference may be contributing to this rise. Boater Jyri Kuusisalo emphasized a noticeable difference in disruption frequency, particularly near Finland’s eastern border. He suggested that reliance on electronic equipment alone is insufficient, stressing the importance of traditional navigational skills.