Tag: ECDIS

UK P&I Club has consolidated a series of three articles on ECDIS The UK P&I Club has consolidated a series of three articles on ECDIS operations into a 16-page booklet entitled 'ECDIS - Navigational and claims issues'.It is available in hard copy from the Club, or as a pdf file from the club's website.While the booklet is not really intended for navigators, it should, the Club believed, be of great value to anyone in shipping who needs to be aware of what ECDIS is and the implications of any ECDIS-associated errors and oversights.While welcoming the new mandatory requirement to have ECDIS as the principal means of navigation on board merchant vessels, the club warned shipowners and managers about potential problems associated with its implementation.Karl Lumbers, a director of Thomas Miller P&I, managers of the UK P&I Club, said: "ECDIS is not an easy ride. There are still thousands of seafarers who will need to be trained and safety management systems will need to be revised."It will in many cases restrict the flexibility owners/managers currently enjoy to switch officers between the different ships in their fleets and we have seen already that Port State Control inspectors will be looking closely at ...

NYK Shipmanagement ECDIS course first to be recognized by top class society ClassNK issued its first approval for maritime training programs to an Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) course offered by NYK Shipmanagement Pte. Ltd. (NYKSM). The approval of the course, which certifies that the course fulfills International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards, follows ClassNK's entry into the training program certification field as part of a broader expansion of the classification society's activities announced earlier this year.ClassNK Executive Vice President Koichi Fujiwara (L) presents NYKSM CEO Tomoyuki Koyama (R) with certificate.In recognition of NYKSM becoming the very first such organization to receive ClassNK certification, ClassNK Executive Vice President Koichi Fujiwara presented NYKSM CEO Tomoyuki Koyama with an official certificate of approval at a special ceremony held in Singapore on 21 September. "This first certification for NYKSM's ECDIS training course is not only a bold first step in ClassNK's growing efforts to support the maritime industry, it is an important step towards training a new generation of highly trained and skilled seafarers, and ensuring a safer future for our entire industry," said Mr. Fujiwara.Requirements for the installation of ECDIS systems will be phased in from 1 July 2012, after which ...

a ECDIS is seen as major step forward in safe ship operation and protection of the environment The mandatory introduction of Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems is seen as a major step forward in safe ship operation and protection of the environmentThe UK P&I Club issues brochure regarding ECDIS- Navigational and claims issues. The attached brochure attempts to provide a user friendly guide to the mystery surrounding electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS). It is in three sections.The first section provides the reader with a general introduction to ECDIS and the legislation that governs its operation. The second section focuses on theoperational aspects of ECDIS considering the requirements of generic and type specific training in further detail.The final section considers the legal effect of failure to meet the statutory ECDIS requirements and the effect on claims where levels of operation or knowledge of ECDIS are considered to be a factor or fundamental link in the chain of causation leading to an incident.For more information, click here.Source: The UK P&I Club

Easy to operate and update, features built-in familiarisation and carries a three-year warranty Kelvin Hughes announced the introduction of ECDIS4, its fourth generation ECDIS which is the latest member of the MantaDigitalTM multifunction workstation family, allowing one display to function as an ECDIS, a radar or a conning display.Kelvin Hughes' fourth generation ECDIS builds on the experience the company has gained since its first ECDIS received type approval in 1999. We believe that this is the easiest ECDIS to operate and with its standard three-year warranty it offers the market the most cost-effective ECDIS solution available, said Bruce Santos, Head of Sales and Marketing at Kelvin Hughes.When supplied as part of an ECDISPLUS bundle - which includes chart data, updates and training - chart updating is reduced to a single mouse click.Built-in scenarios allow operators to familiarise themselves with the system in route planning and route monitoring operational modes. The user interface is common to all modes, is very straightforward to use and simplifies crew training. ECDIS4 is also available as a software package which allows full operation of the MantaDigitalTM system in all its modes, and can be run on any suitable laptop computer for training or product familiarisation.ECDIS4 ...

Appointed as managing director Former Transas' marine training manager, Bjoern Roehlich (33), has been appointed as managing director of Hamburg based MSG Marine Serve GmbH.After establishing a solid base for professional ECDIS training using computer based training, blended training and flag state approved classroom courses worldwide for Transas Marine, Roehlich now aims to broaden the portfolio of MSG Marine Serve."As an independent but officially manufacturer accredited ECDIS training provider, we are able to offer flag state approved generic ECDIS training as well as equipment-specific training. Our mobile simulator and ECDIS classroom enables us to support our clients in the best possible way, wherever, whenever," he explained.He also said that the concept is very timely as most shipowners and operators are faced with the problem of a mix of installed ECDIS equipment. Having Sperry Marine, Transas Marine, JRC, Raytheon Anschütz, or Imtech on different vessels requires the corresponding equipment training for all officers in order to maintain their interchangeability, the company said.At the same time MCA and MPA already require that this previously non-regulated field of equipment-specific training has to be conducted by the ECDIS manufacturer, or an approved agent.With several official ECDIS manufacturer agreements signed, MSG claimed to be able ...

Norwegian company Maris co-operates with Vestfold University College Norwegian company Maris has entered into a co-operation agreement with Vestfold University College (HiVe), also of Norway, for product-specific training on Maris ECDIS900 equipment.The co-operation will see HiVe offering tailor made, product specific hands-on training for the maris ECDIS, covering electronic charts and updates. The agreement will establish closer co-operation on research. HiVe offers a full range of research and development capability. At any given time, about 50 persons are involved in Ph.D projects.Line Øverland, Maris business development manager says: "The Maris ECDIS and client application is a comprehensive software package providing innovative updates and management of ship folios.The increased use of official electronical nautical charts (ENCs) onboard vessels and the implementation of paperless navigation requires deck officers to be confident and familiar with the functionality of the software and the limits to their use of ECDIS."Duy-Tho Do, Dean of HiVe's faculty of technology and maritime sciences, says: "This is a strategic and valued agreement. It shows the Board's commitment to support the government's 'steady course' initiative, and specifically its exhortation that "Norway should be a world-leading maritime nation. The Norwegian maritime industry is to deliver the most innovative and environmentally friendly ...

In addition to advantages, the use of ECDIS is accompanied by potential pitfalls Nobody could ever deny that electronics have provided a huge boon to the shipping industry and its safety. The comforting ability to employ satellites to provide accurate positions, regardless of weather conditions or the distance from land makes shipping more precise and far safer than it was, when a landfall after an ocean passage with no celestial observations was fraught with doubts about the accuracy of the dead reckoning.The arrival of the electronic chart display system (ECDIS) is but the latest stage in this progression, and those who have spent hours correcting their world folios by hand are grateful for the transition. At the same time, just as every technological advance has provided misunderstandings in addition to advantages, the use of ECDIS is accompanied by snares and potential pitfalls for the unwary (and untrained).Just as the "radar assisted" collisions demonstrated the importance of proper theoretical and practical training in the use of the new device, and every advance from ship to ship VHF communication to AIS has seen its share of accidents contributed to by improper use of the equipment, so a number of accidents have shown ...

Up to 500,000 seafarers will require training over the next few years Hamburg-based online simulation training company Safebridge says that it has reached agreement with Raytheon Anschütz to offer online, type-specific ECDIS training based on Raytheon Anschütz's own software.Safebridge was created to meet the demand for ECDIS training contained in the new STCW 2012 and ISM Code regulations. According to Safebridge director Prof Capt Ralph Becker-Heins, it is estimated that up to 500,000 seafarers will require training over the next few years. More critically, around 75,000 seafarers require training in the short-term given that existing installations will become the prime navigation device and the first new build ships in the progressive phase-in period, cruise and other passenger vessels, are required to conform from July 2012.By signing co-operation agreements with manufacturers, to use their ECDIS software for simulation purposes, Safebridge claims to ensure that seafarers have access to training before joining ship and can easily re-train on the specific installed equipment.Source: The Motorship

S pecial edition of Standard Safety explaines legislation re ECDIS The Standard Steamship P&I Club issues the Standard Safety - Understanding the future of navigation special eddition.This special edition of Standard Safety aims to explain the new legislation relating to Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS)In response to the increasing development and use of ECDIS, theInternational Maritime Organisation (IMO) has made amendments tothe International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea Convention(SOLAS) and the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) code to incorporate new requirements for the mandatory carriage of ECDIS under SOLAS (for ships engaged on international voyages only) and, as a complement, mandatory ECDIS training as required under the Manila amendments to the STCW code.To view more information, click here.Source: The Standard Steamship P&I Club

Seafarers will be able to access hands-on training from anywhere in the world Raytheon Anschütz has become the latest navigation systems supplier to agree a deal with online simulation training company Safebridge, which will see Raytheon technology available for study within the Safebridge computer based training system.Raytheon joins fellow ECDIS manufacturers Imtech Marine, Sperry Marine and Transas in joining the online training programme.Safebridge specialises in type-specific simulation training for the maritime industry, and was created to meet the demand for ECDIS training contained in the new STCW 2012 and ISM Code regulations.The training course allows the user to access the equipment in simulation mode over the internet, thus providing familiarisation with the system by practicing real-life scenarios.A 'GuideMe' function is also included, a learning environment where the user is shown, through instruction, the type-specific features of the system in question.Interactive tasks are performed under continual assessment, with users guided as to when and how they may be using it incorrectly.The type-specific familiarisation courses will utilise an LMS (Learning Management System) providing a mixture of guided tutorials, examinations and tests to build confidence and competence in the use of the ECDIS.According to Safebridge director, Professor Captain Ralph Becker-Heins, it is estimated ...