Training for ECDIS as Primary Means of Navigation

UK MCA issues MIN to ensure that ship specific training is delivered in accordance with ISM / STCW

UK Maritime and Coast Guard Agency (MCA) issued a notice to clarify the training requiredfor Masters and Deck Officers of UK registered vessels which have Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) as their primary means of navigation. This notice is not applicable to Deck Officers revalidating their UK Certificate of Competency (CoC)

According to the notice, The Master and all Navigational Officers of UK Flagged vessels, which have Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) as their primary means of navigation, are required by the Port State Control Committee Instruction 47/2014/15, to have completed both generic and ship specific equipment ECDIS training.

ECDIS Generic Training

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Following detailed consideration by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and in agreement with the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) Technical Committee it has been agreed that anyone who holds a completion certificate for an MCA-approved NARAS/NAEST course (operational or management) issued after 1 January 2005 meets the requirement of ECDIS generic training.

The completion of any one of the following will be recognised as meeting the ECDIS generic training requirements:

MCA-approved Navigation Radar and ARPA Simulator (NARAS)/ Navigation Aids and Equipment and Simulator Training (NAEST) (Operational Level) course completed on or after 1 January 2005; or
MCA-approved NARAS/ NAEST (management level) course completed on or after 1January 2005; or
An ECDIS programme based on the IMO Model ECDIS course (1.27) approved by the MCA; or
ECDIS simulator training course in compliance with the current IMO Model Course 1.27 and approved by an Administration whose CoC we accept for the issue of a Certificate of Equivalent Competency (CEC).

Carriage of any one of the above certificates, together with reference to this notice, should satisfy Port State Control Officers (PSCO) that the holder meets the required ECDIS generic training requirement.

ECDIS Ship Specific Training

ECDIS ship specific equipment training for Deck Officers must relate to the make and model of the equipment fitted onboard the ship which they are currently serving. The decision on how to deliver ship specific training is now the responsibility of the ship owner or operator. They must take into account their responsibilities in accordance with ISM code (specifically sections 6.3 and 6.5) and also the STCW convention, Regulation I/14 – 5

ISM: 6.3 “The Company should establish procedures to ensure that new personnel and personnel transferred to new assignments related to safety and protection of the environment are given proper familiarization with their duties. Instructions which are essential to be provided prior to sailing should be identified, documented and given.”

ISM 6.5 “The Company should establish and maintain procedures for identifying any training which may be required in support of the safety management system and ensure that such training is provided for all personnel concerned.”

STCW Convention regulation I/14 – 5: Every company shall ensure that: Seafarers, on being assigned to any of its ships, are familiarized with their duties and with all ship arrangements, installation, equipment, procedures and ship characteristics that are relevant to their routine or emergency duties.

Source: UK MCA