The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), at its 106th session in November 2022, approved the circular SC.1/Circ.1503/Rev.2 with a view to providing the revision 2 of the ECDIS(Electronic Chart Display and Information System) – Guidance for Good Practice.
ECDIS is a complex, safety-relevant, software-based system with multiple options for display and integration. The ongoing safe and effective use of ECDIS involves many stakeholders including seafarers, equipment manufacturers, chart producers, hardware and software maintenance providers, shipowners and operators, and training providers. It is important that all these stakeholders have a clear and common understanding of their roles and responsibilities in relation to ECDIS.
The Guidance is intended to assist the smooth implementation of ECDIS and its ongoing safe and effective use on board ships. Ship operators, masters and deck officers on ECDIS-fitted ships are encouraged to use this Guidance to improve their understanding and facilitate the safe and effective use of ECDIS.
This ECDIS – Guidance for Good Practice, referred to as “Guidance” hereafter, draws together relevant guidance from seven previous ECDIS circulars into a single, consolidated document.
The Guidance is laid out in eight sections, namely:
- Chart carriage requirement of SOLAS
- Maintenance of ECDIS software
- Onboard ECDIS updates
- 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
- This Guidance is intended to assist the smooth implementation of ECDIS and its ongoing safe and effective use on board ships. Ship operators, masters and deck officers on ECDIS-fitted ships are encouraged to use this Guidance to improve their understanding and facilitate the safe and effective use of ECDIS.
