ELECTRONIC CHARTS non Sate Conia) Volume 1 - Section .1.2 PORT STATE CONTROL COMMITTEE INSTRUCTION 35/2002/02 (rev1) GUIDELINES FOR PSCOs ON ELECTRONIC CHARTS 4. Introduction 1.1 Regulation 20 of Chapter V of SOLAS (Safety of Navigation) requires that: “All ships shall carry adequate and up-to-date charts, sailing directions, lists of lights, notices to mariners, tide tables and all other nautical publications necessary for the intended voyage’, 1.2. From 1-7-2002 Reg. 27 of the new Chapter V will require that: ‘Nautical charts and nautical publications, such as sailing directions, list of lights, notices to mariners, tide tables and all other nautical publications necessary for the intended voyage, shall be adequate and up to date.” Additionally according to Reg. 19.2.1.485: ‘All ships irrespective of size shaif have: nautical charts and nautical publications to plan and display the ship's routeing for the intended voyage and to plot and monitor positions throughout the voyage; an Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) may be accepted as meeting the chart carriage requirements of this subparagraph back up arrangements to meet the functional equi function is partly or fully fulfilled by electronic means.” ments of subparagraph .4, if this Moreover according to Reg. 18.4 “ ...... However for an ECDIS to be accepted as satisfying the chart carriage requirement of Reg. 19.2.1.4, that system shall conform to the relevant performance standards ......” 2. ECDIS Performance Standards 2.1 An Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) which meets the performance standards of IMO Resolution A.817(19) may be accepted by a national administration, as complying with the up-to-date charts required by the current SOLAS, regulation. Manual for Port State Conta Officers 1 Revision 13ELECTRONIC CHARTS snr Sat Conral Volume 4 - Section 0.1.2 2.2 These standards were published in November 1995 and subsequently amended in December 1998 to permit ECDIS to operate, under certain conditions, in a Raster Chart Display System (RCDS) mode. (See Appendix | for an IMO Safety of Navigation Circular on differences between raster and vector electronic chart systems and cert limitations of raster charts against vector charts), 2.3 An ECDIS can operate in several different modes but only two modes are recognised at present: * Using the ECDIS with official Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) that have been prescribed by a national hydrographic office and meet the standards set down in the international Hydrographic Office's (IHO) Special Publication No. 57. * Using the ECDIS in RCDS mode with Raster Navigational Charts (RNCs). 24 _ Allother non-ECDIS electronic charts are classified as Electronic Chart Systems (ECS). Whilst they may be used as an aid to navigation they can not be used to meet a mandatory carriage requirement for charts. An ECS classification may come about because the system does not comply with the ECDIS performance standards and/or uses chart data from an unofficial source 3. Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) 3.1. ENCs are an example of vector charts in which every feature within the chart has been mathematically defined and the relationship between the feature and other surrounding features established. Vector electronic charts therefore have ‘intelligence’ and can, for example, warn a navigator if his intended track will take him into water that is inappropriate for the drat of his vessel. They are compiled from a database of individual items (‘objects’) of digitised chart data that can be displayed as a seamless chart. When used in an electronic navigation system, the data can then be reassembled to display either the entire chart image or a user-selected combination of data. ENCs are intelligent in that systems using ther can be programmed to give warning of impending danger in relation to the vesse'’s position and movement. 3.2 Although the use of ECDIS with ENCs is a superior mode of operation, ENCs cover only a limited area. This is largely due to their comolexity and cost. It is generally accepted that it will be several more years before coverage is extensive, Manval fr Poa State Convo! Oficers 2 Revision 13ELECTRONIC CHARTS Sate Coe Volume 1 - Section D.1.2 4. Raster Navigational Charts (RNCs) 4.1 Unlike vector charts, raster navigational charts (such as the UK Hydrographic Office’s ARCS system) are simply electronic facsimiles of existing paper charts. 4.2. RNCs also conform to IHO specifications and are produced by digitally scanning a paper chart. The image may be either the finished chart itself or the stable colour bases used in the multi-colour printing process. The resulting digital fle may then be displayed in an electronic navigation system where the vessef's position, generally derived from electronic position fixing systems, can be shown. Since the displayed data are merely a digital photocopy of the original paper chart, the image has no ‘intelligence’ and, other than visually, cannot be interrogated. 4.3. Inaddition the amended IMO performance standards require that when ECDIS is used in RCDS mode, the system must also be used ‘in conjunction with an appropriate portfolio of up-to-date aper charts’. (See Appendix Il for MOU guidance on appropriate charts based on chart scales). 44 _ Unlike ENCs there has been a number of years’ experience with the operation of RCDS using official RNCs. 4.5 Electronic charts that do not meet the IMO definition of an ECDIS, as defined in the performance standards, or operated in other than the two modes described in paragraph 2.3 do not meet the current SOLAS requirements. 5. Compliance with SOLAS — Inspection on board 5.1 PSCOs need to take a pragmatic and logical approach in deciding whether the system is being used for primary navigation or as an additional aid to navigation 5.2 To assess whether a ship is using electronic charts in accordance with SOLAS requirements, the PSCO should consider the following points: 1 _ Does the ship have documentation indicating that the system complies with Res A.817(19)? In the absence of such documentation the PSCO should seek confirmation from the Flag State that the system does meet the statutory requirements. It should be noted that most of the electronic chart systems (ECS) presently on the market are not subject to SOLAS requirements. In these cases a full Set of updated paper charts must be on board. 2 Ifthe system is being used for primary navigation it should be established whether ECDIS is used in the ENC mode or RCDS mode or in both modes. ‘Marval fr Port State Control Ofcers 3 Revision 13,ELECTRONIC CHARTS fn Por Sate Cont! Volume 1 - Section D.1.2 ENC mode 5.3 If the system is being used in the ENC mode the PSCO should consider the following points: 1 Are there written procedures aboard the vessel for using ECDIS? 2 Are the master and deck watchkeeping officers able to produce appropriate documentation that generic and type-specific ECDIS familizrisation has been undertaken? 3 Is the ENC used for the intended vovage the latest edition issued by an authorised hydrographic office and in conformity with HO Transfer Standard for Digital Hydrographic Data (S-57)? .4 Is the navigational purpose (i.e. the userband) of the ENC appropriate for the intended voyage? (eg Overview, General, Coastal, Approach, Harbour, Berthing). 5s the information contained in the SENC updated for the intended voyage according to regulation V/20 of SOLAS 74? This includes excerpts from Sailing Directions, List of Radio Signals, and List of Lights? The system keeps a record of updates (issuing dates) including time of application to the SENC. The system displays updates for the review of contents and to ascertain inclusion into the SENC. Updates might also be checked on CDs 6 Does the numerical data displayed on the system agree with data from the position sensor, the gyro and the speed log? 7 Does the data displayed on the system agree with the radar. For example’ 1.__ if the radar image is overlaid on the ECDIS, the chart and radar image should agree in scale, content, and orientation 2 the heading of the chart display and overlying radar image should agree 3 the numerical data of ARPA targets should agree with the graphic display on the connected radar. Note: interconnection of system with ARPA is not mandatory, 4 ifthe system is capable of displaying courses on the radar both images should agree. Manual for Port State Control Ofcers 4 Revision 19ELECTRONIC CHARTS srt Sate Conta Volume 1 - Section D.1.2 5.4 _ECDIS must have approved back-up arrangements to ensure a safe transfer of the ECDIS functions in the event of ECDIS failure and to provide safe navigation for the remaining part of the voyage. Such arrangements could be: 1 Afully compliant duplicate ECDIS (Secondary System) which should, for equipment installed after 1 January 1999: * display the relevant hydrographic and geographic environment necessary for safe navigation in graphic form, ‘be able to take over route planning and route monitoring from the primary system ‘+ provide at least the information equivalent to the primary system be able to voyage record ie. Keep a record of the actual track of the ship including positions and corresponding time, ‘+ have a back-up power supply Separated from the primary system, be connected to systems providing continuous position-fixing capability 2 An appropriate portfolio of up-to-date paper charts (as required when operating in RCDS mode). Because of the limitations of REDS mode an appropriate portfolio of up-to-date paper charts has to be used if ECDIS needs to be operated in RCDS mode during the intended voyage. The master complies with this provision if an appropriate portfolio of up-to-date paper charts is used as the back up arrangement for ECDIS. In case of other back up arrangements, e.g. double installation of ECDIS, the ship should carry appropriate paper charts for those areas which are only covered by RNC data 5.5 It must be possible to operate ECDIS including all equipment necessary for its normal functioning with an emergency source of electrical power according to SOLAS 42/1I-1 RCDS mode 5.6 Ifthe system is being used in the RCDS mode the PSCO should consider the following points: 1 When operating in the RCDS mode, ECDIS equipment can only be used together with an appropriate portfolio of updated charts, 2 _ Are there written procedures available aboard the vessel for using ECDIS in RCDS mode? 3 Are the master and deck watchkeeping officers be able to produce appropriate documentation that generic and type-specific ECDIS familiarisation been undertaken? Manual for Port State Contol Offers 5 Revision 12ELECTRONIC CHARTS ta Por Sate Con! Volume 1 - Section D.1.2 4 Are RNC’s used in RCDS of the latest edition originated by an authorised hydrographic office and in conformity with |HO standards? 5 _ Is information contained in the SRNC adequate and updated (for that part of the intended voyage not covered by ENC)? 6 __ The system keeps a record of updates (issuing dates) including time of application to the SRNC 7 __Adisplay of updates for the review of contents and to ascertain inclusion in the SRNC is shown by the system. 8 Does the data displayed on the system agree with the radar. For example: 1 ifthe radar image is displayed in ECDIS, the chart and radar image should agree in scale, content, and orientation. 2 the heading of the chart display and overlying radar image should agree 3 the numerical data of ARPA targets should agree with the graphic display on the connected radar. Note: interconnection of system with ARPA is not mandatory, 4 ifthe system is capable of displaying courses on the radar both images should agree. 5.7 The operation of ECDIS in the RCDS mode requires back up arrangements to ensure a safe take-over of its functions in the event of RCDS failure and to provide safe navigation for the remaining part of the voyage. Such arrangements could be: 4A fully compliant duplicate ECDIS operating in the RCDS mode (Secondary System), which should ‘+ display the relevant hydrographic and geographic environment necessary for safe navigation in graphic form, be able to take over route planning and route monitoring from the primary system, provide at least the information equivalent to the primary system, be able to voyage record, i.e. keep a record of the actual track of the ship including positions and corresponding time, have a back-up power supply separated from the primary system, be connected to systems providing continuous position-fixing capability Manual fr Poa State Contra! Ofcers 6 Revision 13ELECTRONIC CHARTS fanFon Sate fone! Volume 1 - Section 0.1.2 OR 2 Anelectronic chart system using official RNCs In both cases an appropriate set of up-to-date paper charts must also be provided 5.8 _ It must be possible to operate ECDIS including all equipment necessary for its normal functioning with an emergency source of electrical power according to SOLAS 42iilet Appropriate folio of charts 5.9 IMO has not issued any guidance on what is an ‘appropriate’ folio of paper charts. However the folio should at least ensure that the vessel can navigate to a safe haven in the event of total electronic chart failure (see also appendix Il of these guidelines) Manual for Por Sate Control Offeers 7 Revision 13ELECTRONIC CHARTS on Port Sate Conal Volume 1 - Section D.1.2 Appendix | - Differences Between RCDS and ECDIS ‘The following Safety of Navigation circular was produced by IMO to bring to the mariners’ attention differences between raster and vector electronic chart systems and certain limitations of raster charts against vector charts, DIFFERENCES BETWEEN RCDS AND ECDIS 4 mode: The Maritime Safety Committee, at its seventieth session (7 to 11 December 1998), adopted amendments to the performance standards for Electronic Chart Display and information Systems (ECDIS) to include the use of Raster Chart Display Systems (RCDS) ‘These amendments permit ECDIS equipment to operate in two modes: 1 the ECDIS mode when ENC data is used; and 2 the RCDS mode when ENC data is not available, However, the REDS mode does not have the full functionality of ECDIS, and can only be used together with an appropriate portfolio of up-to-date paper charts. The mariners’ attention is therefore drawn to the following limitations of the RCDS 1 unlike ECDIS where there are no chart boundaries, RDS is a chart-based system similar to a portfolio of paper charts; 2 Raster navigational chart (RNC) data, itself, will not trigger automatic alarms (e.g. anti-grounding). However, some alarms can be generated by the RCDS from userinserted information. These can include: - clearing lines - ship safety contour lines - isolated dangers - danger areas 3 horizontal datums and chart projections may differ between RNCs. Mariners should understand how the chart horizontal datum relates to the datum of the position fixing system. In some instances, this may appear as a shift in position. This difference may be most noticeable at grid intersections and during route monitoring; 4 chart features cannot be simplified or removed to suit a particular navigational circumstance or task at hand. This could affect the Manval fr Pod State Control Ofcers 8 Revision 13,ELECTRONIC CHARTS ‘Section D.1.2 superimposition of radar/ARPA; 5 without selecting different scale charts, the look-ahead capability may be somewhat limited. This may lead to some inconvenience wen determining range and bearing or the identity of distant objects; 6 orientation of the RCDS display to other than chart-up may affect the readability of chart text and symbols (e.g, course-up, route-up): 7 itmay not be possible to interrogate RNC features to gain additional information about charted objects; 8 _ itis not possible to display a ship's safety contour or safety depth and highlight it on the display, unless these features are manually entered during route planning; 9 depending on the source of the RNC, different colours may be used to show similar chart information, There may also be differences in colours used during day and night-time; 10 an RNC should be displayed at the scale of the paper chart. Excessive zooming in ot zooming out can seriously degrade RCDS capability, for example, by degrading the legibility of the chart image; and 11 mariners should be aware that in confined waters, the accuracy of chart data (I., paper charts, ENC or RNC data) may be less than that of the position-fixing system in use. This may be the case when using differential GNSS. ECDIS provides an indication in the ENC which allows a determination of the quality of the data 3 Member Governments are requested to bring this information to the attention of the relevant authorities and all seafarers for guidance and action, as appropriate. Manual for Port State Control Officers 8 Revision 13,ELECTRONIC CHARTS ‘snort Sate Contra Volume f - Section D.1.2 Appendix Il - Non ~ mandatory MOU guidance on an adequate portfolio of paper charts In deciding what may constitute an adequate portfolio of paper charts to support ECDIS ‘when operating in RCDS mode, the following non-mandatory guidance is given on the scale of chart appropriate for a particular stage of passage appraisal and execution, + General route appraisal or oceanic passage execution: medium-scale charts in the range 1:750,000 to 1:1500,000" * General route appraisal or passage execution in open seas: medium scale charts, in the range 1:100,000 to 1:500,000, and + General route appraisal or passage execution in congested coastal waters or port approaches: charts with a scale larger than 1:100,000. * Section 100 part 1 IHO Chart Specifcations ofthe IHO meium ane lage scale chart, Manual for Pet State Control Oficers 10 Revision 13ELECTRONIC CHARTS sn Por Sate Cont] Volume 1 - Section 0.4.2 Appendix Ill - Definitions and Abbreviations ECDIS - Electronic Chart Display & Information System - A navigation information system which with adequate back-up arrangements can be accepted as complying with the up-to-date chart required by regulation V/20 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, by displaying selected information from a system electronic navigational chart (SENC) with positional information from navigation sensors to assist the mariner in route planning and route monitoring, and if required additional navigation-related information, ENC - Electronic Navigational Chart - The database, standardised as to content, structure and format for use with ECDIS on the authority of government authorised hydrographic offices. The ENC contains all the chart information for safe navigation and may contain supplementary information in addition to that contained in the paper chart (eg. sailing directions) which may be considered necessary for safe navigation, RCDS - Raster Chart Display System - A navigation information system displaying RNCs with positional information from navigation sensors to assist the mariner in route planning and route monitoring and, if required, display additional navigational-related information RNG - Raster Navigational Chart - A facsimile of a paper chart originated by, or distributed on the authority of, a government-authorised hydrographic office. RNC is used in these standards to mean a single chart or collection of charts. SENC - System Electronic Navigational Chart - A database resulting from the transformation of the ENC by the ECDIS for appropriate use, updates to the ENC by appropriate means and other data added by the mariner. Itis the database that is actually assessed by the ECDIS for the display generation and other navigational functions, and is the equivalent to an up-to-date paper chart. The SENC may also contain information from other sources. ‘System Raster Navigational Chart - A database resulting from the transformation of the RNG by the RCDS to include updates to the RNC by appropriate means. Manual for Por State Control Oficers 1" Revision 13