TOPIC 3

CHARTS
Lesson 1: Requirements for charts in
navigation

Lesson 2: Paper charts and electronic

navigational charts

Lesson 3: Chart scale

Lesson 4: Chart classification by scale

 Lesson 1: Requirements for charts in navigation
Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the lesson, the students shall be able to:

1. Explain the purpose of nautical chart in navigation.
2. Determine the requirements for the carriage of charts used in navigation.
3. Explain the development on the use of electronic navigational chart.
4. Compare and contrast paper charts and electronic navigational charts with
regards to their limitations.
5. Determine the natural scale of the chart and its classification given the
said natural scale.
6. Determine the length on the chart of a given distance based on a given
scale and vice versa.
A Nautical Chart represents part of the spherical earth on a
plane surface. It shows water depth, the shoreline of
adjacent land, prominent topographic features, natural
features of the seabed, aids to navigation, navigational
hazards, location of natural human-made aids to navigation,
information on tides and currents, local details of the Earth’s
magnetic field, human-made structures such as harbors,
buildings, and bridges, and other navigational information.

It is a work area on which the navigator plots courses,

ascertains positions, and views the relationship of the ship
to the surrounding area. It assists navigators in avoiding
dangers and arriving safely at their destination.
Nautical charts are essential tools for marine navigation;
many countries require vessels, especially commercial
ships, to carry them. Nautical charting may take the
form of charts printed on paper (raster navigational
charts) or computerized electronic navigational charts.

Should a marine accident occur, the nautical chart in use

at the time takes on legal significance. In cases of
grounding, collision, and other accidents, charts become
critical records for reconstructing the event and
assigning liability. Charts used in reconstructing the
incident can also have tremendous training value.
Electronic Charts consisting of a digital data base
and a display system are commonly in use today
and are replacing paper charts aboard many
vessels. An electronic chart is not simply a digital
version of a paper chart; it introduces a new
navigation methodology with capabilities and
limitations very different from paper charts. The
electronic chart is the legal equivalent of the paper
chart if it meets certain International Maritime
Organization specifications.
Carriage requirements for navigational charts and
publications

In accordance with Regulation 27 of Chapter V of SOLAS,

nautical charts and nautical publications, such as sailing
directions, lists of lights, notices to mariners, tide tables and all
other nautical publications necessary for the intended voyage,
must be adequate and up to date. Electronic versions of nautical
publications, such as the above can be carried as an alternative
to hard copy nautical publications, however, such electronic
nautical publications must be adequate for the intended voyage
and up to date.
Until 1 July 2012 (and until 2018 for other ships, as per the
implementation timetable set out in SOLAS), passenger ships, tankers
and cargo ships of 500 gross tonnage and upwards engaged on
international voyages, have three options to meet their SOLAS
obligations for the carriage of nautical charts and publications:

1. Adequate and up to date paper charts necessary for the intended

voyage; or

2. Type approved ECDIS operating with ENCs and a second IMO

compliant ECDIS as an adequate and independent back-up; or

3. A type approved ECDIS operating with ENC and with adequate and
up to date paper charts to serve as a back-up necessary to complete
the intended voyage.
 •Electronic Navigational Chart Requirements and Standards

• Official ENCs must follow several international legal standards. The

1974 IMO SOLAS Convention lays down the basic regulatory framework for
using ENCs and ECDIS. Since then, numerous International Maritime
Organization (IMO) Resolutions have created a more thorough set of
performance standards. As the capabilities and importance of electronic
navigation grew over the years, the International Hydrographic Organization
(IHO) also developed further detailed standards on ENCs in several
publications.
• In 2002, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) made a major
amendment to Chapter V of the International Convention for the Safety of
Life At Sea (SOLAS). Under the revised Chapter V, the most relevant
regulations are Regulation 2-Legal definition of vector charts, Regulation 19-
Describes carriage requirements for shipborne navigational systems and
equipment and Regulation 27-Requirements for crews to keep charts and
publications up to date.
Carriage Requirement

• Passenger Vessels > 500 GT

New Build – By July 2012
Existing Build – By 2014 (Built before 1 July 2012)

• Tankers > 3000 GT

New Build – By July 2012
Existing Build – By 2015
• Cargo Vessels > 10000 GT
New Build – By July 2013
Existing Build – By 2018 (Built before 1 July 2013)
• Cargo Vessels > 3000 GT
New Build – By July 2014
• Cargo Vessels > 50000 GT
Existing Build – By 2016
• Cargo Vessels > 20000 GT
Existing Build – By 2017
• Lesson 2: Paper charts
and Electronic
Navigational Charts

Paper Charts or Nautical

charts
A nautical chart is one of the most
fundamental tools available to the mariner.
It is a map that depicts the configuration of
the shoreline and seafloor. It provides
water depths, locations of dangers to
navigation, locations and characteristics of
aids to navigation, anchorages, and other
features.
Nautical charts provide hydrographical, nautical and
topographical information to the Mariner. The amount of
information provided on a nautical chart depends on its scale.
The larger the scale, the more information is provided. A large
scale chart at a scale of 1:30.000 provides very detailed
information about a specific area. Inversely, small scale nautical
charts, such as those at 1:2.000.000, provide little detailed
information and are most appropriate for general route planning.

Chart corrections are often made to the largest scale charts. This
is one of many reasons for using large scale charts wherever
appropriate.
Printing

Paper nautical charts are issued regularly.

Information on new charts, new editions and updated
reprints can be found in "Chart Corrections" two or
three months prior to the publication.
The following terms are used when referring to the issue of charts:

New chart

The first publication of a nautical chart which will either

• embrace an area not previously charted to the scale shown

• embrace an area different from any existing chart

A new chart is e.g. issued if a significant change to the draught of ships

transiting an area requires it. A new chart can either replace an existing chart
or supplement the current portfolio of charts.
New edition

New issue of an existing chart containing

amendments significant to navigation which will
normally have been derived from newly received
information such as new hydrographic survey data. It
will include changes additional to those previously
promulgated in “Chart Corrections” and will render the
existing edition obsolete.
Updated reprint

New print of the current edition of a chart

incorporating no amendments of navigational
significance other than those previously promulgated in
“Chart Corrections”. It may, however, contain
amendments from other sources provided they are not
essential to navigation. Previous printings of the current
edition of the cart always remain in force.
 Electronic
Navigational
Chart (ENC)
Electronic Navigation represents the most striking change in the modern
history of sailing. As recent as the turn of the century, navigation
primarily relied on paper charts. Planning, executing and monitoring a
voyage consumed most of the time and attention of a crew. However, the
introduction of modern digital navigational tools automated much of the
work and changed the nature of transoceanic travel. As a result, the
Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) that an Electronic Chart and
Display System relies on have largely replaced paper charts.

Over time, professional navigational officers have grown accustomed to

these tools. However, it's comparatively recent that the law mandated
hobbyists and small sailors to use ECDIS and ENCs. Not to mention, new
sailors will also need to learn what an ENC is.
Basics of Electronic Navigational Charts
Electronic navigational charts are one of the two key
elements of electronic navigation. An ECDIS functions as
the hardware, while an ENC contains the dataset of
relevant information for a voyage. Together, these two
components create a powerful digital navigation
solution. However, they bring much more to the table
than eliminating paper waste and storage via basic
digitization. Using electronic navigational charts
together with ECDIS provides a crew with an array of
advantages in planning, monitoring, and executing
voyages.
Any modern navigational officer is well aware of
the power of the ECDIS. It displays hazard
warnings and alarms, enables simplified course
modification and automatically identifies safe
routes. You'll achieve these things by inputting
accurate values into the ECDIS, such as the draft
depth of the ship. Then, it automatically
combines this input with oceanic data to create
an accurate picture of areas where your ship can
sail safely.
This is where the ENC comes into play. While you can fill
your ECDIS with precise values on your ship, this is
useless without accurate oceanic data. Electronic
navigational charts provide your ECDIS with the
external, journey-specific data to function properly.
 What is Electronic Chart
Display and Information
System (ECDIS)?

•The Electronic Chart Display and

Information System (ECDIS) is a
development in the navigational
chart system used in naval vessels
and ships. With the use of the
electronic chart system, it has
become easier for a ship’s
navigating crew to pinpoint
locations and attain directions.
Video 1:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEL2sB27bT0
Video 2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6d6TifI2hA
ECDIS complies with IMO Regulation V/19 & V/27 of SOLAS
convention as amended, by displaying selected information from
a System Electronic Navigational Chart (SENC). ECDIS
equipment complying with SOLAS requirements can be used as
an alternative to paper charts.

Besides enhancing navigational safety, ECDIS greatly eases the

navigator’s workload with its automatic capabilities such as route
planning, route monitoring, automatic ETA computation and ENC
updating. In addition, ECDIS provides many other sophisticated
navigation and safety features, including continuous data
recording for later analysis.
ECDIS is basically a navigational information system,
interfaced with other navigational equipment such as the
GPS, Gyro, RADAR, ARPA, Echo Sounder etc.

ECDIS also incorporates and displays information

contained in other nautical publications such as Tide
Tables and Sailing Directions and incorporates additional
maritime information such as radar information, weather,
ice conditions and automatic vessel identification.
Types of ECDIS charts
1. Raster Chart (RNC): RNCs are a direct copy or a scan of the paper
charts. It looks identical to a paper chart as all the information shown
is directly printed. The chart only grows larger or smaller as per the
zooming and when rotated, everything rotates.
2. Vector Chart (ENC): ENCs are computer-generated charts. The
details on an ENC can be turned on and off depending on the
requirement of the user. Objects on the ENC can be clicked for more
details on the same. Depths can also be monitored to obtain a
warning with regard to grounding. When zooming, the features grow
large or small but the text remains the same.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbZQbdeDFuQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M58jtrIgsGU
 What is an
Electronic
Navigational
Chart
(ENC)?
Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC), also known as
vector charts, are data sets to support all types of
nautical navigation. Originally, large commercial
vessels adopted them for the sake of SOLAS
compliance, efficiency, and safety benefits. In the
modern nautical landscape, smaller ships and
recreational sailors also make use of ENCs in
electronic chart system (ECS) programs. Electronic
navigational charts are the main type of charts that
an ECDIS relies on, although there are others, such
as Raster Charts.
In their complementary role to ECDIS hardware, an ENC provides a diverse
array of information and automation features. These include, but are not
limited to:

• Possible dangers
• Routes
• Maritime limits
• Aids to navigation
• Depths
• Nature of the seabed
• Elevations
• Configuration and characteristics of the coast
Vector charts enable sailors to create customized
displays, depth alerts and more via a the ECDIS.
The user can gain a broader visualization by
collapsing elements, or access more detailed
information about an area by selecting it. These
quality of life features make navigation a much
simpler, less strenuous process. As a result,
electronic navigational charts are entirely
indispensable to the modern sailor.
ENC (Electronic Navigational Chart) Layers

• Display Base (No information can be deleted)

• Standard Display
• Full Display
• Custom Display
Limitations of ECDIS
1.The accuracy of the information received via AIS is
only as good as the accuracy of the AIS information
transmitted. The same is applicable for all other
equipments interfaced with the ECDIS.
2.Position of ships received on ECDIS display might not
be referenced to WGS 84 datum.
3.Over-reliance on ECDIS for navigational safety should
be avoided until it is confirmed that all the data
transmitted, received and displayed are accurate.
4. Users must be aware that any erroneous information is
detrimental to the safety of own as well as other vessels.

5. Some sensors might lack integrity with regard to

accuracy and those that have not been tested.

Not all ships are fitted with ECDIS and hence one cannot be
sure of technical ability with regard to positioning as well as
navigation; the kind that ECDIS provides.
It is never prudent for the OOW to depend
solely on the information on the ECDIS. It
is only an aid to navigation and never
replaces the human quotient which brings
in the skill and expertise with experience
that an ECDIS can never provide.
Comparison Between Paper and Electronic Charts
The biggest single advantage of electronic charts over paper
systems to the professional navigator is the ease of correction.
Both raster and vector systems allow for automatic electronic
correction of the charts onboard, with no real work on the part of
the navigator. This means that the corrections are inserted
exactly as intended by the marine cartographer. The potential
labor reductions for a ship with a worldwide portfolio of 2000–
3000 charts are also significant. It is estimated that there are
10,000–15,000 manual corrections which need to be made by
the navigator in a typical year for a worldwide paper portfolio of
this size.
The electronic corrections also lend themselves to electronic
transmission so that corrections can be passed immediately
to the ship, even while at sea. This is a vast improvement on
the traditional paper-based system where corrections often
took months to reach a ship by post, although paper chart
small corrections can now be transmitted electronically and
printed out onboard. The electronic systems also allow the
electronic transmission of whole new charts. This could be
either because of unexpected passage changes at sea or the
issue of a new chart edition when it would usually be
impractical to get the chart to the ship at sea in a paper-
based system.
Another significant advantage is the ability to easily add
extra information, overlaid on top of the electronic chart.
This can include routes, notes, links to extra material
(pictures, videos and text documents), tidal currents
and lines of safety. Moreover this information can be
saved as both a permanent record and also brought
back from storage for reusing when a vessel undertakes
a second transit of the same area in the same direction.
The paper chart requires much laborious preparation
and rubbing out on every occasion it is used. It will wear
out in time and need replacement.
The improvement over the paper system means that the
ship’s position is continuously plotted rather than sampled at
intervals convenient to the navigator and the possibility of
human plotting error is eliminated. There is usually an option
to stabilize the chart display on the vessel’s position so the
chart always shows the area around the current position,
that is the chart moves past the ship. In these cases, the
ship does not have to be at the center of the display, but can
be offset to show a feature of land or to see further ahead
than astern. There is also a provision to put in the vessel’s
length and breadth so that a scaled ship shape can be
displayed when the chart scale in use is appropriate.
Currently, the main disadvantage of the
electronic chart is screen size, although large
displays of more than 40 inches are becoming
affordable. The minimum size of display for an
approved ECDIS is 21 inches, which provides
about a sixth of the coverage area of the
traditional paper chart. This is why zooming and
panning facilities are useful, together with the
ability to have different windows on the chart
area open and available for easy viewing.
The other main disadvantage is the reliance on
electronic equipment and the need for a power
supply. Hence, there is a requirement for
emergency power supplies and a backup chart
system that may be a duplicate system and/or a
minimal number of paper charts intended to get a
vessel to a pilot station.