Industry stakeholders have discussed a lot about the pros and cons of paperless navigation concluding that ECDIS does have an edge over the traditional paper chart navigation. IMO, IHO IACS and Flag Administrations have issued guidance setting the baseline for ECDIS proper use. Navigators are advised to consider the following guidance to be prepared and vigilant to monitor problems, assess hazards and consider control measures for the system in order to gain the benefits from electronic navigation
IMO Resolution MSC.232(82): Revised Performance Standards for Electronic Chart Display And Information Systems (ECDIS).
IMO in order to ensure the operational reliability of such equipment and taking into account the technological progress and experience gained has issued the performance standards covering all aspects of the system and providing guidance on:
- Database
- Operational and Functional Requirements
- Interfacing and Integration
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IHO publications for ECDIS: International Hydrographic organization has issued a series of standards and libraries for supporting ECDIS. (as of September 2017).
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IHO ECDIS and ENC STANDARDS |
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Edition in force |
Title |
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S-57 Edition 3.1 (November 2000) |
Transfer Standard for Digital Hydrographic Data |
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S-52 Edition 6.1 (October 2014) |
Chart Content and Display Aspects of ECDIS |
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Annex A to S-52 Edition 4.0 (October 2014) |
Presentation Library for ECDIS |
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S-58 Edition 6.0.0 (May 2017) |
Recommended ENC Validation Checks |
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S-61 Edition 1.0 (January 1999) |
Product Specification for Raster Navigational Chart (RNC) (only if ECDIS software supports RCDS mode) |
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Data Producer Codes |
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S-63 Edition 1.2.0 (January 2015) |
Data Protection scheme |
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S-64 Edition 3.0.2 (July 2017) |
Test Data Sets for ECDIS |
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S-65 Edition 2.1.0 (May 2017) |
ENCs: Production, Maintenance and Distribution Guidance |
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S-11 Part A Edition 3.0.0 (June 2017) |
Guidance for the Preparation and Maintenance of International (INT) Chart and ENC Schemes |
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IMO SN.1/Circ.266/Rev.1: Maintenance Of Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) Software
ECDIS in operation comprises hardware, software and data. It is important for the safety of navigation that the application software within the ECDIS works fully in accordance with the Performance Standards and is capable of displaying all the relevant digital information contained within the Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC). Proper ECDIS software maintenance is an important issue and adequate measures need to be implemented by masters, shipowners and operators in accordance with the International Safety Management (ISM) Code.
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IMO MSC. 1/Circ. 1496: Unified Interpretation on the Appendix to the SOLAS Convention Regarding the Records of Equipment Concerning Nautical Charts and ECDIS. IMO provides guidance on how to include the ECDIS equipment in the official Record of Equipment, in accordance with its use as mean of navigation.
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IMO MSC.1/Circ.1503: ECDIS – Guidance for Good Practice
The circular outlines IMO’s approach of good practice regarding the use of ECDIS on board. Detailed guidance is provided on:
- Chart carriage requirement of SOLAS
- Maintenance of ECDIS software
- Operating anomalies identified within ECDIS
- Differences between raster chart display system (RCDS) and ECDIS
- ECDIS training
- Transitioning from paper chart to ECDIS navigation
- Guidance on training and assessment in the operational use of ECDIS simulators
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IACS Rec. No 95: Recommendation for the Application of SOLAS Regulation V/15 Bridge Design, Equipment Arrangement and Procedures.
This Recommendation sets a set of guidelines for determining compliance with the principles and aims of SOLAS regulation V/15 relating to bridge design, design and arrangement of navigational systems and equipment and bridge procedures when applying the requirements of SOLAS regulations V/19, 22, 24, 25, 27 and 28 at the time of delivery of the newbuilding.
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IMO MSC.1/Circ.1391: Operating Anomalies Identified Within ECDIS
As anomalies in the operation of some ECDIS systems relating to display and alarm behavior in particular system configurations can occur, IMO recommends any anomalies identified by mariners to be reported and investigated by the appropriate authorities.
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Flag Issued Documentation for ECDIS (As of July 2017)
