Why Do Ships Need to Be Degaussed?

The purpose of degaussing is to counteract the ship's magnetic field and establish a condition such that the magnetic field near the ship is, as nearly as possible, just the same as if the ship were not there. This in turn reduces the possibility of detonation of these magnetic-sensitive ordnances or devices.

What is the purpose of degaussing a ship?

Ship degaussing is the process of making a (steel) ship's hull nonmagnetic by producing an opposing magnetic field. Installing degaussing systems to mask a ship's magnetic signature makes the ship virtually undetectable by magnetic mines, which greatly increases a ship's survivability.

Why is degaussing important?

Degaussing is the process of decreasing or eliminating a remnant magnetic field. Degaussing was originally applied to reduce ships' magnetic signatures during World War II. ... Degaussing is also used to reduce magnetic fields in cathode ray tube monitors and to destroy data held on magnetic storage.