1. Introduction 17
1.1 ECDIS – a Complex Navigation Tool 18
1.2 History and Development 18
1.3 ECDIS Display 20
1.4 What is an ECS? 21
1.5 The Potential Benefits of ECDIS 21
1.6 The Potential Disadvantages of ECDIS 22
1.7 The ECDIS Mindset 23
2. Functionality Requirements 25
2.1 “ECDIS” – General Term versus Operation Mode 26
2.2 ECDIS Performance Standards 26
2.2.1 Appendix 6 to Resolution MSC.232 (82): Back-up Requirements 28
2.2.2 Appendix 7 to Resolution MSC.232 (82): RCDS Mode of Operation 29
2.2.3 Power Supply 30
2.3 Upgrading of ECDIS Software 30
2.4 Official Vector Chart Data 31
2.5 Type Approval 32
2.6 Summary Table for “Real” ECDIS Criteria 34
3. Requirements 37
3.1 SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 19 38
3.2 ECDIS Fitted on Board – More than the Equipment 39
3.3 SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 27 41
3.4 Flag State Requirements for ECDIS Carriage 42
4. ECDIS Training 45
4.1 Necessity of ECDIS Training 46
4.2 Legal Training Requirements 48
4.2.1 The STCW Manila Amendments 48
4.2.2 Certification in Accordance with the Manila Amendments 2010 49
4.2.3 International Safety Management – Code (ISM-Code) 50
4.3 Additional Training Requirements 51
4.4 Types of ECDIS Training 52
4.4.1 The IMO Model Course 1.27 (Generic Training) 52
4.4.2 Type Specific Training / Familiarisation with Ship-borne ECDIS 53
4.5 ECDIS Training and Port-State Control 54
4.6 ECDIS Training Providers 55
5. Chart Data 59
5.1 Official and Unofficial Chart Data 60
5.2 Raster Charts 61
5.2.1 Characteristics of a Raster Chart 61
5.2.2 Raster Navigational Chart - RNC 63
5.3 Vector Charts 64
5.3.1 Vector Chart Objects 65
5.3.2 Characteristics of a Vector Chart 69
5.3.3 Chart Production and Fidelity 70
5.4 Electronic Navigational Chart - ENC 71
5.4.1 S-57 Standard: ENC Data Format 72
5.4.2 S-52 Standard: Presentation Library 72
5.4.3 S-100 and S-101 Standard 72
5.4.4 ENC Navigational Purpose 73
5.4.5 ENC Coverage 74
5.4.6 ENC Identification 75
5.5 Active Vector Chart Functions 75
5.5.1 Information Query or Pick Report 75
5.5.2 Continuous Safety Watch or Safety Frame 77
5.6 Mode of Operation 81
6. Chart Presentation
83
6.1 Automatic Chart Loading 84
6.2 Mode of Presentation 85
6.2.1 Chart Orientation 85
6.2.2 Own Ship Movement 85
6.2.3 True or Relative Vector 87
6.2.4 Overscaling and Underscaling 88
6.3 Chart Symbols 90
6.4 Display Filter 91
6.4.1 Base Display 91
6.4.2 Standard Display 91
6.4.3 All Display 92
6.4.4 Custom Display 92
6.5 SCAMIN 93
6.6 Primary / Secondary Display 93
6.7 Depth Shades 94
6.7.1 Safety Contour and Two Depths Shades 94
6.7.2 Four Depth Shades 98
6.8 Safety Depth 100
6.9 Summary on Safety Settings 103
6.10 Colours and Brightness 104
6.11 Presentation of Radar and AIS Information 106
6.11.1 ARPA Targets 106
6.11.2 Radar Overlay 108
6.11.3 AIS Targets 109
6.11.4 Target Data Overview 110
6.12 Presentation of Other Navigational Information 111
6.12.1 Weather Charts 111
6.12.2 Tidal Height 112
6.12.3 Current Flow 113
6.12.4 Ice Charts 115
6.12.5 Temporary and Preliminary Notices to Mariners (T&PNMs) 116
6.12.6 Bathymetric Inlays 117
6.12.7 Piracy Maps 118
7. Own Chart Entries 121
7.1 Electronic Bearing Line & Variable Range Marker 122
7.2 Line of Position / Position Fix 122
7.3 User Charts Additions 124
7.3.1 Objects Associated with Chart 125
7.3.2 Objects Non-Associated with Chart 126
7.4 Event Marker / MOB Marker 126
8. Chart Engines/ System ENC (SENC) 129
8.1 Chart Engines / Kernel 130
8.2 System Electronic Navigational Chart (SENC) 132
9. Chart Logistics, Licensing and Maintenance 137
9.1 WEND / RENC 138
9.2 ENC Distribution Process 138
9.3 IHO Data Protection Scheme 140
9.3.1 Parties Involved in the Protection Scheme 140
9.3.2 Data compression 141
9.3.3 Data Encryption 141
9.3.4 Data Licensing 144
9.3.5 Data Authentication / Integrity Check 146
9.4 ENC Distribution in SENC Format 149
9.5 Chart Licensing Options 149
9.5.1 Direct Licensing 149
9.5.2 Pay as you Sail 151
9.5.3 Licence-free ENCs 152
9.6 Chart Updating 152
9.6.1 Temporary and Preliminary Notices / Navtex Warnings 153
7
9.6.2 Cumulative Versus Sequential Update Strategy 154
9.7 ENC and Update Installation - Summing Up 155
10. Sensor Configuration and Management 159
10.1 Critical Role of Sensors in ECDIS 160
10.2 Sensors Connected 160
10.2.1 Sensor Selection 161
10.2.2 Sensor Alarms 162
10.2.3 ECDIS-Sensor Network 163
10.2.4 Functional Principle, Data Output, and Accuracy of Important Sensors 164
10.3 Sensor References: CCRP and Units 165
10.3.1 Consistent Common Reference Point 165
10.3.2 Sensor Units 166
10.4 Own-Ship Presentation 166
10.4.1 Own-Ship Symbol 167
10.4.2 Heading and Stern Line 167
10.4.3 Own-Ship Vector 167
10.4.4 Predicted Vector / Curved Vector 168
10.4.5 Track History / Past Track 169
10.4.6 Past Position Dots 169
11. Voyage Plan Handling 171
11.1 Voyage Plan Principles 172
11.1.1 Guidelines for Voyage Planning 172
11.1.2 Voyage Plan Appearance on ECDIS 173
11.1.3 Waypoint Parameters 174
11.2 Voyage Plan Creation and Modification 177
11.2.1 Constructing a Draft Route 178
11.2.2 Visual Route Check 178
11.2.3 Automated Route Check 180
11.2.4 Geometric Error 182
11.2.5 Saving the Voyage Plan 183
11.3 ETA Calculations 183
11.4 Voyage Plan States 185
11.4.1 Stored State 185
11.4.2 Loaded State 185
11.4.3 Activated State 186
11.5 Voyage Plan Monitoring 187
11.6 Data Exchange for Track and Speed control 189
12. R ecorder Playback 191
13 Alerts and Warnings 195
13.1 Types of Alerts and their Indication 196
13.2 IMO Required Alarms and Indications 197
13.2.1 Chart Alarms and Indications 197
13.2.2 Route Planning Indications 198
13.2.3 Route Monitoring Alarms and Indications 198
13.2.4 Equipment Alarm and Indication 199
14. Effective Navigation with ECDIS 201
14.1 Potential Errors in Displayed Data 202
14.1.1 Errors Due to Quality of Hydrographic Data / Zone of Confidence 202
14.1.2 Errors in Indication of Own-ship Position 204
14.2 Potential Errors of Interpretation 206
14.3 Potential Errors of the System 207
14.3.1 Overview of Potential System Errors 207
14.3.2 Anomalies of Using ECDIS 208
15. Case Studies 211
15.1 Stranding of MV LT Cortesia 212
15.1.1 Preposition 212
15.1.2 Occurrence Summary 212
15.1.3 Analysis of the Use of the Available Electronic Navigational Equipment 214
15.2 Other Case Studies 215
15.2.1 Grounding of MV CFL PERFORMER 215
15.2.2 Grounding of CSL THAMES in the Sound of Mull 215
16. Annexes 217
A. Abbreviations 218
B. Short Reference List of Modules According to the IMO Model Course 1.27
and Sections of this Book 222
C. List of Figures and Tables 232
D. Overview of Flag State Regulations 236
D.1 Australia: Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) 236
D.2 Antigua & Barbuda: Department of Marine Services & Merchant Shipping 237
D.3 Bahamas: The Bahamas Maritime Authority 238
D.4 Bermuda: Government of Bermuda, Department of maritime Administration 239
D.5 Cayman Islands: Cayman Registry, a Division of Cayman Maritime 240
D.6 Cyprus: Ministry of Communications and Works, Department of
Merchant Shipping 241
D.7 Germany: BSH – Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie 241
D.8 India: Directorate General of Shipping 242
D.9 Ireland: Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport 242
D.10 Isle of Man: Department of Economic Development 243
D.11 Marshall Islands: Office of the Maritime Administrator 243
D.12 New Zealand: Maritime New Zealand 244
D.13 Panama: Panama Maritime Authority 244
D.14 Singapore: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) 245