State that IMO, in 2009, recognizing the advantages of ECDIS for

10.04 navigation, adopted further amendments to SOLAS regulation

V/19, to make mandatory the carriage of ECDIS.
State that the 2009 amendments entered into force on 1 January
2011, making ECDIS mandatory for new ships built after set dates
and also phasing- in the requirement for existing ships.

Advantages of ECDIS over paper charts

1. All information is processed and displayed in real-time

2. It eases the process of passage planning
3. One can get all necessary navigational information at a glance
4. Alarms and indications are in place to indicate and highlight dangers
5. Chart correction is made easier in ECDIS as compared to paper charts
6. Charts can be tailored as per the requirement of the voyage
7. Other navigational equipment such as the AIS, ARPA etc can be overlayed
and integrated
8. Charts can be oriented as per requirement
9. With the facility to zoom in and out, features can be examined as per
necessity
10. One can obtain a more accurate ETA
11. Charts can be interrogated for detailed information
12. All in all, it enhances the safety of navigation

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
Pictorial Mode of representation:

Additional

Additional Indformation for knowledge:

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.

ECDIS covered under the following

1. SOLAS Chapter 5
2. Port State Control Requirements
3. IMO Performance Standards for ECDIS
4. S 52 Standard (Display Standard)
5. S 57 Standard (Compilation Standard)
6. S 63 Standard (IHO Data Protection/Encryption Standard)
ENC (Electronic Navigational Chart) Layers

 Display Base (No information can be deleted)

 Standard Display
 Full Display
 Custom Display

Minimum Interface Requirement

 Position Sensor
 Heading Sensor
 Speed Sensor

ECDIS Compliance- Requirements

 Approved ECDIS with approved backup

 Type approved hardware
 Type approved software
 Approved installation
 Official Chart Services
 Training of Officers

Chart Updating

Updates to the ECDIS charts may reach the ship in various ways, depending upon
the capabilities of the service provider and the onboard communication facilities.

 On data distribution media (DVD)

 As an email attachment (SATCOM)
 As a broadcast message via SATCOM plus additional communication
hardware
 As an internet download

Voyage Recording

 Minute by minute recording for the past 12 hours of the voyage

 Record of 4 hourly intervals of voyage track for a period of 6 months

Dual Fuel: Dual Fuel is the use of RNCs when ENCs are not available with
approved paper chart backup.

Alarms and/or Indication in ECDIS

Alarms

1. Exceeding cross-track limits

2. Crossing selected safety contour
3. Deviation from the route
4. Critical Point Approach
5. Different datum from the positioning system
Alarms or Indication

1. Largest scale for alarm (present chart too small a scale)

2. Area with special conditions
3. Malfunction of ECDIS

Indication

1. The chart over scale (zoomed too close)

2. Larger scale ENC available
3. Different reference units
4. Route crosses safety contour
5. Route crosses specific area activated for alarms
6. System test failure

For ease of understanding, Indications may be either visual or audible whereas

Alarms must be audible and may be visual as well.

Power Supply

 It should be possible to operate ECDIS and all equipment necessary for its
normal functioning when supplied by an emergency source of electrical power
 Changing from one source of power supply to another or any interruption of
supply for a period of upto 45 seconds should not require the equipment to be
manually re-initialized

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
6. 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.

IMO Performance Standards for ECDIS

1. The primary function of ECDIS is to contribute to safe navigation

 2. ECDIS with adequate backup arrangements may be accepted as complying
with the up to date charts required by Regulation V/20 of the 1974 SOLAS
Convention
3. In addition to the general requirements for shipborne radio equipment forming
part of the GMDSS and for electronics navigational aids contained in IMO
Resolution A.694 (17), ECDIS should meet the requirements of this
performance standard
4. ECDIS should be capable of displaying all chart information necessary for
safe and efficient navigation originated by and distributed on the authority of
government authorized hydrographic offices
5. ECDIS should facilitate simple and reliable updating of the electronic
navigational chart
6. ECDIS should reduce the navigational workload compared to using the paper
chart. It should enable the mariner to execute in a convenient and timely
manner all route planning, monitoring and positioning currently performed on
paper charts. It should be capable of continuously plotting the ship’s position
7. ECDIS should have at least the same reliability and availability of presentation
as the paper chart published by the Government-authorized hydrographic
offices.
8. ECDIS should provide appropriate alarms or indications with respect to the
information displayed or malfunction of the equipment

ECDIS Training

There are many institutes that conduct the ECDIS course IMO 1.27. It is usually a 5
days extensive course for which candidates must have completed a year at sea as a
Deck Cadet. Every institution has a different price range for the course and that must
be checked on the institute’s website itself.

The institute must also be checked for approval from the respective governing body
of a country (e.g. DG Shipping for India). With more and more ships inculcating
ECDIS into their system, the knowledge, skill and understanding of ECDIS should be
emphasized.

This 40 hours generic ECDIS course is run as per the guidelines of IMO Model
course 1.27 (revised in 2012) and gives the officers knowledge and practice on the
operational use of Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS)
equipment in accordance with the requirements of the STCW convention - 78 as
amended ...

What training is required for ECDIS?

Those attending the course should have conducted a generic 5 day IMO 1.27 ECDIS
course. They should have experience in performing chartwork and should be able to
practice all usual tasks concerning standard navigational procedures and equipment.

The same is achieved via simulators during the tenure of the course. Almost all
institutes also put possession of a ROC ARPA certificate of proficiency as a
prerequisite for entry into the ECDIS course.
The concept of ECDIS is something that is gaining more and more popularity in
today’s times. By adopting this electronic system of marking and charting
navigational routes, it has become easier to avoid any unwanted accidents as the
ship is dependent on modern technology rather than humanitarian aid.

Inspite of some criticism from a few industry players, it can be easily said that ECDIS
as an electronic Chart System is something that allows shipping companies and ship
owners a lot of mental freedom when it comes to the safety of the vessel in the
seawater by making ship navigation faster, simpler and sleeker.