THE FUTURE OF e-NAVIGATION - ECDIS

ECDIS
An Electronic Chart Display and
Information System (ECDIS) is a computerbased navigation system that complies with
IMO Regulations.
It can be used as an alternative to paper
navigation charts.
It Integrates a variety of real-time
information.
It is an automated decision aid capable of
continuously determining a vessels position in
relation to land, charted objects, navigation
aids and unseen hazards.
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THE FUTURE OF e-NAVIGATION - ECDIS

IMO RESOLUTION FOR MANDATORY ECDIS
A scaled implementation of ECDIS will see it become a mandatory fit on a range of
vessels by 2018

New Ships
(Keel laying date)

2012-07-01: Passenger Ships

2012-07-01: Oil Tankers
2013-07-01: Other ships
2014-07-01: Other ships

(> 500GT)
(>3000 GT)
(> 10 000 GT)
(>3000 GT)

Existing Ships
(Not later than 1st survey on/after)
2014-07-01: Passenger Ships
(> 500GT)
2015-07-01: Oil tankers
(> 3000 GT)
2016-07-01: Other Ships
(> 50 000 GT)
2017-07-01: Other Ships
(>20 000 GT)
2018-07-01: Other Ships
(> 10 000 GT)
no retro-fitting for ships < 10 000 GT

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ECDIS THE FUTURE OF e-NAVIGATION

ECDIS consists of following type of
charts,
RASTER Charts
Digital version of Paper charts, made
by scanning process.

VECTOR Charts ENC

Represents individual chart features
with points, lines & polygons. Information
are in layers, hence can be
displayed selectively.
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ECDIS THE FUTURE OF e-NAVIGATION

Components of ECDIS.
1. SENC Information A database
in the manufacturers internal
ECDIS format. Equivalent of an
updated paper chart
2. Navigation related information
inputs from various navigational
equipment such as echosounder,
log, gyro, autopilot, GMDSS
equipment
3. Position Systems Receiver
GPS and DGPS
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ECDIS THE FUTURE OF e-NAVIGATION

CAN SHIPS SAIL WITHOUT PAPER CHARTS ?
YES! provided;
1.

The ECDIS onboard is type approved for

primary navigation system.

2.

Second ECDIS system is provided as a back

up and connected to an independent source
of power supply.

3.

Both the ECDIS onboard possess a full

complement of ENCs for the intended
voyage.

4.

The officers using the ECDIS System are

suitably trained in ECDIS Operations.

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ECDIS THE FUTURE OF e-NAVIGATION

BENEFITS OF ECDIS
Allows the Master to focus on making the
decisions in a timely and a controlled manner.
The most efficient way of updating charts.
Improves visual representation
Combines a number of navigation
technologies, including ARPA and AIS, giving
navigators an integrated presentation of vital
navigational information.
Automates the tracking and presentation of
present course and heading in (approximately)
real-time.
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ECDIS THE FUTURE OF e-NAVIGATION

Caution !!!!!!!
ECDIS is a complex tool. If used improperly by inadequately trained personnel it can lead
to disastrous consequences.

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ECDIS THE FUTURE OF e-NAVIGATION

CASE STUDY CFL PERFORMER
CFL Performer, ran aground on Haisborough Sand off the
east coast of England at 1619 hrs on 12 May 2008
CFL Performer was on a loaded passage
and was grounded about 29 minutes
after the OOW had adjusted course to
follow the passage plan shown on
ECDIS.
ECDIS was the primary source of
Navigation
The planned route took
the vessel across Haisborough Sand,
where the charted depth of water was considerably less than
the vessels draught
It is clear that this route was not adequately checked for
navigational hazards either when planned or during passage
Bridge watch keeping officers had not been trained on ECDIS
Many of the systems features which could have prevented
this accident were not utilized
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CASE STUDY CFL PERFORMER

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CASE STUDY CFL PERFORMER

Vessels AIS track over Haisborough Sand

Aground in
Position
52 54.123 N,
001 43.695 E

1617 @ 6.9
kts

1615 @ 9.3 kts

1609 @ 11 kts
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CHART DISPLAY INFORMATION - HAZARDS

For example on this Paper chart \ ARCS scale 1:37500 hazards

seen

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CHART DISPLAY INFORMATION - HAZARDS

In this example of ENC Scale 1:90,000 no hazard

information is visible on the display
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CHART DISPLAY INFORMATION - HAZARDS

In this example of same ENC Scale 1:45,000

hazard information is visible on the display
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ECDIS TRAINING

An estimated 500,000 Mariners will require ECDIS training in the near

future
Training is part of the companys program including risk assessment,
model course training and ship specific training

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ECDIS THE FUTURE OF e-NAVIGATION

Some of the functions susceptible to operator induced error
Display Mode ( Base, standard, extended standard)
Display Selection
Scale Selection
Accuracy Patterns
Contour Selection
Route Planning & Route Monitoring
Alarm Setting and Look Ahead
Scamin (Scale minimum)

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DISPLAY MODES ON ECDIS

Base

Standard

Other
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ECDIS THE FUTURE OF e-NAVIGATION

SELECTION OF INFORMATION LAYERS
ON ECDIS BY OPERATOR
Standard display selected

All information display

selected

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ECDIS THE FUTURE OF e-NAVIGATION

SELECTION OF SCALE

Chart scale is optimised

OVERSCALE alarm is
activated and chart is
shaded
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ECDIS THE FUTURE OF e-NAVIGATION

CLUTTER ON CHART DUE TO
SELECTION OF WRONG LAYER
(Accuracy pattern)

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ECDIS THE FUTURE OF e-NAVIGATION

Examples of S-57 Settings by Operator
1

for Anti Grounding Alarm activation

Deep Contour 30m
Safety Contour 14m
Shallow Contour
Safety depth
18m

Deep Contour 20m

Safety Contour 14m
Shallow Contour
Safety Depth
18m

10m

5m

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ECDIS THE FUTURE OF e-NAVIGATION

Route planning
ECDIS

calculates chart alarms using

user defined off track or channel limits
for the route selected.
Danger areas within the channel
limits are shaded red if the safety
contour or selected danger areas are
crossed.
A plan does not have to be free of warnings or
alarms to allow it to be saved and monitored.
The leg that is not within the set safety parameters is
shaded red
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ECDIS THE FUTURE OF e-NAVIGATION

Setting of Look Ahead Zone by Operator

Spot the difference when

Alarm setting is unchecked

See Alarm Settings which

have to be correctly set to
ensure ECDIS alerts the
operator when in danger only
if the option is checked
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ECDIS THE FUTURE OF e-NAVIGATION

SCAMIN (Scale Minimum)
SCAMIN is a powerful tool and mariners should be aware that they could significantly reduce
the amount of information displayed.
With SCAMIN applied caution should be exercised because some spatial objects may not be
included within SCAMIN, these are:
Objects covering the earth's surface (e.g. coastlines),
Objects used for presentation of the Display Base,
Meta objects that ensure consistency of ENC information.

SCAMIN

OFF

ON

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ECDIS THE FUTURE OF e-NAVIGATION

Chart Symbols & Presentation displays

Traditional
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Simplified
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ECDIS THE FUTURE OF e-NAVIGATION

Conclusion
ECDIS provides a number of additional planning functions and
features
ECDIS makes voyage planning easier however it is still possible
to make errors, these errors are likely to be of a different type
compared to paper charts.
Voyage plan must be discussed with the Bridge Team in advance
so that they are prepared for the intended voyage.
Officers should be cautioned not to put too much trust on the
display.
It is essential that officers remember to cross check the
information displayed by all other means available; especially by
looking out the window and watching the radar!
Properly trained navigation officers should determine what is
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appropriate
in terms
alarms STUDIES
and navigation parameters