Tag: ECDIS

The Committee on the US Marine Transportation System issued the Maritime Transportation Extreme Weather Task Force report, providing recommendations and identified opportunities for improving industry response and policies in case of extreme weather events and preventing marine casualties from heavy weather.

The official introduction of ECDIS in shipping industry helped solve many problems (paper work load, easy planning and monitoring, real time information availability etc) as well as created some, most of which are related to human behavior and the way ECDIS systems are used. To this effect, IMO issued performance standards for systems and training standards for seafarers. The STCW has been amended encouraging seafarers with bridge watch duties to be trained through the IMO model course 1.27 for Generic ECDIS training and becoming type familiar with the on-board system through a Company established procedure.

MSIU issued an investigation report on the grounding of the Malta-flagged container ship 'Umm Salal', off Selangor, Malaysia, in 6 April 2017. Evidence from the report suggested that the OOW had  to interpret his observations and plan his actions practically on his own, which is considered to be the immediate cause.

The STM Validation Project will launch a new service aiming to reduce crew workload and min the risks of accidents and misunderstanding. The service will send navigational warnings directly to ECDIS via digital communication, shown directly in the on-board ECDIS and deleted when no longer valid.

Commitment to crew competency is vital for the retention of seafarer’s skill sets and employment, at a time when financial pressure impacts safety. Dr. William H. Moore, Senior Vice President of Loss Prevention, The American P&I Club, discusses about Club’s initiatives for addressing crew competency and assurance and supporting Members in identifying and managing holistic risks to safety from both shore-based management and shipboard operational perspectives.

Many maritime accidents are caused by errors of bridge personnel and inadequate bridge procedures. In order to reduce this number, deck department has to be well prepared before a vessel’s departure for a voyage at the sea. These preparations may include many complexities and this is the reason why a bunch of things should be considered and prepared carefully, to ensure a smooth voyage passage and safe navigation.

While the master focused on recovering the boats, L Austral inadvertently entered a 300-metre unauthorised zone, which was not permitted to enter and struck an uncharted rock. The hull was pierced and an empty void space was flooded. The Transport Accident Investigation Commission issued an investigation report.

New equipment combined with the latest technologies on vessels have brought to the front the need for familiarization with ship specific arrangements. Operators should understand the importance of effective bridge procedures, in order to support the conduct of safe navigation and efficient ship operations.

A ship navigation support tool jointly developed by NYK, MTI Co. Ltd., and Japan Radio Co. Ltd. aims to allow users to easily plan routes using the handwriting function of the electronic navigational chart, in addition to managing and sharing operational data using integrated information, such as meteorological and hydrographical forecasts.

The role of the 'lookout' on board ships is currently more important than ever, considering the increasing traffic volumes at sea and the more complex equipment used in bridge systems. A watchkeeper must understand the equipment available and determine the risk of collision.