Using GPS to Track Offshore Equipment

Offshore operations depend on a wide range of mobile assets—lifting gear, containers, tools, vessels, and safety equipment—all exposed to harsh marine conditions. With equipment constantly moving between rigs, ships, and support bases, tracking becomes difficult.
This article helps offshore project managers, marine logistics teams, and field operations leaders understand how GPS technology boosts visibility and prevents asset loss.

Why GPS Tracking Matters in Offshore Operations

1. Challenging Marine Environments

   Offshore sites experience strong winds, saltwater exposure, limited visibility, and constant motion. Assets frequently shift locations, making manual tracking unreliable.

   Key difficulties

   • Equipment can drift or shift position unexpectedly

   • Visual checks are limited during storms or night operations

   • Paper logs fail in wet, high-pressure environments

   Summary: GPS provides continuous location information despite harsh marine conditions.

   
   

2. High Asset Mobility Across Rigs, Vessels, and Depots

   Offshore equipment is constantly transported by supply vessels, helicopters, cranes, and barges.

   Resulting problems

   • Assets become unaccounted for between transfers

   • Miscommunication leads to misplaced high-value tools

   • Project delays occur when equipment cannot be located

   Technical term (defined simply)

   Geofencing – digital boundaries that trigger alerts when an asset leaves or enters a designated area.

   Summary: GPS tracking ensures full transparency of equipment movements across multiple offshore locations.

   
   

3. Safety and Compliance Requirements

   Offshore operators follow strict safety regulations to ensure the integrity of lifting gear, emergency equipment, and inspection schedules.

   Challenges without GPS

   • No verifiable history of where equipment has been

   • Difficult to match inspection intervals with real usage

   • Slow response to missing or unsafe equipment

   Summary: GPS supports safer operations and more accurate equipment governance.

   
   

4. Cost of Lost or Delayed Equipment

   Losing offshore tools, containers, or components is expensive—not just financially, but logistically.

   Common causes of loss

   • Poor tracking between vessel offloading points

   • Incorrect manifests

   • Equipment left behind during rig transitions

   Summary: GPS-based tracking minimizes loss, improves utilisation, and supports continuous operations.

How GPS Tracking Works in Offshore Environments

1. GPS Satellite Communication

   GPS devices calculate position using signals from multiple satellites. Offshore environments are ideal for GPS because of unobstructed views of the sky.

2. Marine-Grade GPS Trackers

   These trackers come with:

   • Waterproof and corrosion-resistant casings

   • Long-life batteries for remote use

   • Satellite or cellular connectivity options

3. Real-Time Monitoring

   Teams can view offshore equipment on a live map, including:

   • Current location

   • Movement history

   • Speed and direction

   • Alerts for geofence events

4. Integration With Asset Databases

   GPS alone provides location—but value increases when connected to an asset tracking platform.

   Combined benefits

   • Who last used the equipment

   • Condition reports

   • Assignment history

   • Maintenance logs

   Summary: GPS becomes significantly more powerful when paired with operational data.

Practical Example: Tracking Offshore Cargo Containers

A drilling contractor manages 300+ cargo containers shared across multiple rigs and supply vessels.

Without GPS

• Containers go missing for weeks

• Manifests become outdated

• Tracking relies on radio communication

• Demurrage costs increase due to delays

With GPS

• Every container broadcasts its live position

• Movement between rigs and supply bases is documented

• Teams optimise utilisation and redeployment

• Lost containers drop to near zero

Outcome: Increased operational efficiency and reduced equipment loss.

How MapTrack Helps Offshore Operators

MapTrack enhances GPS tracking by providing a complete asset management layer for offshore and marine environments.

1. Unified Visibility for All Offshore Equipment

   MapTrack links GPS locations with:

   • Assignments (who has the asset)

   • Photos and condition reports

   • Checklists for inspections

   • Barcode/QR scanning for rapid verification

2. Mobile-First and Field-Proof

   Designed for harsh field conditions, MapTrack works seamlessly across:

   • Offshore rigs

   • Marine vessels

   • Helidecks

   • Remote depots

3. Strong Accountability With Audit Trails

   Teams gain a full chain-of-custody showing:

   • When an asset moved

   • Who last used it

   • What condition it was in

   • Compliance-related events

   Summary: GPS shows where your equipment is; MapTrack shows who used it, its condition, and whether it's safe for deployment.

FAQ Section

1. Can GPS trackers work reliably offshore?

   Yes. Offshore environments typically provide clear sky visibility, allowing strong GPS signal performance.

2. What equipment is typically tracked offshore?

   Containers, generators, lifting gear, personnel baskets, tools, hoses, buoyancy modules, and more.

3. Does GPS work without cellular coverage?

   Yes—satellite-based GPS trackers can operate in remote ocean areas without mobile networks.

4. How often should GPS trackers update location?

   This depends on operational needs. High-mobility assets may require updates every few minutes; low-mobility assets may update hourly.

5. Do I still need asset management software if I use GPS?

   Yes. GPS gives location only. Asset software provides assignments, condition reporting, checklists, and operational context.

6. How does GPS help with safety compliance?

   It ensures equipment is where it needs to be, prevents missing critical gear, and provides historical logs for audits.

Conclusion & Actionable Takeaways

Offshore operations face unique challenges—harsh environments, constant movement, and high compliance requirements. GPS helps teams:

1. Maintain real-time visibility

2. Reduce equipment loss

3. Improve operational responsiveness

4. Strengthen safety and compliance

5. Simplify coordination between rigs, vessels, and bases

Paired with MapTrack, GPS becomes part of a complete offshore asset control ecosystem that improves accountability and operational efficiency.