Friday, 23rd July 2010
IHO ECDIS publication
The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) has published a publication providing guidance on the use of electronic chart and display information systems (ECDIS) and electronic navigational charts (ENC).
ECDIS and ENC's will become mandatory equipment in certain ships from 2012 and until 2018.
The requirements for the carriage of nautical charts are laid down in SOLAS Chapter V:
A revised version of SOLAS V/ 19 will come into force on 1 January 2011:
2.1 All ships irrespective of size shall have:
2.1.4 Nautical charts and nautical publications to plan and display the ship's route for the intended voyage and to plot and monitor positions throughout the voyage. An electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) is also accepted as meeting the chart carriage requirements of this subparagraph. Ships to which paragraph 2.10 applies shall comply with the carriage requirements for ECDIS detailed therein;"
2.1.5 back-up arrangements to meet the functional requirements of subparagraph 2.1.4, if this function is partly or fully fulfilled by electronic means*;
*Paper nautical charts sufficient to meet the requirements of sub-paragraph .4 and regulation 27 may be used as a back-up arrangement for ECDIS. Other back-up arrangements for ECDIS are acceptable (see Appendix 6 to resolution MSC.232 (82), as amended).
The publication provides valuable background information for users of both ECDIS and ENC.
Please click here for a copy of the IHO publication - Facts about Electronic Charts and Carriage Requirements
Source: BIMCO
17 March 2010 The UKHO have advised the Chamber of Shipping of a potential problem relating to ECDIS displays and shoal soundings. Some isolated soundings may not be displayed in either base or standard display modes.
Obviously this may give rise to a potentially dangerous situation. Mariners can circumvent the problem by inspecting their route in 'all data' mode where the problem does not occur.
Please click here for a copy of the circular issued by the Chamber of Shipping.
23 September 2009 In keeping with the decision of the 86th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) to adopt proposals making the carriage of electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS) mandatory on SOLAS vessels from 2012. The IMO NAV Sub-Committee has issued guidance on the transfer from paper charts to ECDIS.
Subjects covered include:
Transition management and training;
- an assessment of issues involved
- crew participation, and
- familiarization training for ships' crew.
IHO Catalogue of chart coverage;
Additional information;
Click here for the IMO Sub-Committee guidance note.
The amended SOLAS regulation V/19 requirement for fitting ECDIS applies to passenger ships and cargo ships engaged on international voyages as follows:
Type of ship | Size limitation (≥) | New ships (keel laid) | Existing ships
|
Passenger | 500gt | 1 July 2012 | Not later than the first survey* on or after 1 July 2014 |
Tankers | 3,000gt | 1 July 2012 | Not later than the first survey* on or after 1 July 2015 |
Others | 50,000gt | 1 July 2013 | Not later than the first survey* on or after 1 July 2016 |
| 20,000gt | 1 July 2013 | Not later than the first survey* on or after 1 July 2017 |
| 10,000gt | 1 July 2013 | Not later than the first survey* on or after 1 July 2018. No retrofitting requirements to existing ships less than 10,000gt |
| 3,000gt | 1 July 2014 | No retrofitting requirements to existing ships less than 10,000gt |
*'First survey' means the first annual survey, the first periodical survey or the first renewal survey whichever is due first after the date.
For passenger ships, this is the first renewal survey for "Passenger ship safety survey", and for a cargo ships this means either "Cargo ship safety equipment survey" or "Cargo ship safety survey (combined survey - if the ship has chosen to combine all SOLAS certificates in one).
It should be noted that for both passenger ships and cargo ships, if a ship is under construction, where the keel is laid before, but the ship is delivered after the date specified in the relevant regulation, the initial survey is the "first survey".
8 August 2007: Formed to promote consistent quality and interpretation of IMO standards for Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC’s), the IC-ENC have published a comprehensive guide to electronic charts and chart carriage requirements.
Written in a question and answer format, subjects covered include:
- Facts about electronic charts and carriage requirements
- Compendium of Flag State ECDIS requirements
- Training requirements
- Technical details of electronic charts
- References and glossary of terms
ENC’s used in Electronic Chart Displaying Information Systems (ECDIS) satisfy SOLAS requirements for the carriage of navigational chart s on board. Regional differences in the interpretation of quality standards can lead to slight variations in systems which are approved.
It is the goal of the IC-ENC to promote the use of ECDIS in the interest of safer navigation by creating a consistent, quality-assured ENC-database and to support the provision of reliable and user-friendly services for the mariner.