What is an ECDIS?

An electronic chart display system is the general term for all equipment that is capable of displaying a vessel's position on a chart image on a screen. There are two main classes of electronic chart display systems. ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System) that meet IMO/SOLAS chart carriage requirements, and ECS (Electronic Chart System), which can be used to assist navigation, but do not meet IMO/SOLAS chart carriage requirements.

The requirements for an ECDIS are specified by the IMO and an ECDIS must be type-approved as meeting those standards by an approved testing authority, such as the BSH.

In addition, an ECDIS is only an ECDIS, when it is using official electronic nautical charts (ENCs) that have been produced by an authorised body, such as a hydrographic office. 

The use of an ECDIS in conjunction with ENCs and appropriate back up arrangements, is the only legal option for so-called paperless navigation.

Is there a mandatory requirement to carry ECDIS?

Yes, although the exact timing depends on the class of vessel. For example, in December 2006 the Marine Safety Committee (MSC) of the IMO specified that all HSC craft built after 2008 must be fitted with ECDIS and existing HSC craft, built prior to 2008, must be retrofitted with an ECDIS by 2010. Similar requirements exist for other classes of vessels, with the vast majority of SOLAS vessels required to be built with or retrofit ECDIS between 2012 an 2018. 

What is an adequate independent backup arrangement?

IMO Performance Standards require that a vessel whose primary navigation aide is an ECDIS must have an adequate independent back up arrangement that ensures that a failure of the ECDIS does not create a safety critical situation, and that the remaining voyage can be completed safely.

What classifies as an "adequate independent backup" is largely determined by the flag state of the vessel concerned. However, there are two broad approaches adopted by most flag states:

A second ECDIS, connected to an independent power supply and a separate GPS position, or an appropriate and up-to-date folio of official paper charts sufficient for the intended voyage.

What to do in areas without ENC coverage?

This is largely a question for the vessel flag-state. In some cases, the use of raster charts, such as ARCS, may be considered sufficient, in other cases, up-to-date paper charts may be required.

However, since up-to-date paper charts, sufficient for a voyage, are also considered an adquate ECDIS backup by most flag states, it would appear that covering the gaps with paper charts is the easiest solution.

How does use of ECDIS affect Port State control?

The issue is not clear-cut because ships arriving at a port may be subject to Port State control done by local officials based on Flag State regulations and international agreements. However, in most areas, nations have formed regional groups to try and ensure consistent application of Port State controls within a given geographic area.

For example, in Europe, the Port State control should act in accordance with the Paris Memorandum of Understanding, which has the following guidelines for local officials to check whether a ship is using its ECDIS in accordance with SOLAS requirements:

• The ship has documentation indicating that the system complies with IMO Performance Standards for ECDIS. In the absence of such documentation, the PSCO should seek confirmation from the Flag State that the system does meet the statutory requirements;
• The system is being used for primary navigation. It should be established if ECDIS is used in the ENC mode or RCDS (raster) mode or in both modes;
• There are written procedures onboard the vessel for using the ECDIS;
• The master and watch-keeping officers are able to produce appropriate documentation that generic and type-specific ECDIS familiarisation has been undertaken;
• The charts used for the intended voyage are the latest official editions;
• The charts in use are updated
• There are approved back up arrangements available to ensure a safe transfer of the ECDIS functions in the event of a failure and to provide safe navigation for the remaining part of the voyage.

Is there a need for ECDIS training?

Yes. An ECDIS is a highly sophisticated system which requires proper training before it can be used safely for navigation.

What are the requirements for ECDIS training?

The STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping) and ISM (International Safety Management) codes require shipowners to ensure that mariners on their vessels are competent to carry out the duties they are expected to perform. In the case of ECDIS the expectation from most flag and port states is that the watch-keeping mariners aboard will be certified as having completed:

• An IMO approved generic ECDIS training on the operational use of ECDIS (IMO course 1.27), and
• Type specific ECDIS training approved by the manufacturer of the specific ECDIS aboard.

What is an ECS?

An ECS is an electronic navigation system that displays vessel position and relevant digital nautical chart data and information, but does not meet all the IMO requirements for ECDIS and is not intended to satisfy SOLAS Chapter V requirements.

All navigation systems, which are not tested against ECDIS Performance Standards, can be generically designated as ECS. An ECS may be able to use either ENCs, RNCs or other chart data produced privately and could have functionality similar to ECDIS, but cannot be used as the primary means of navigation.

Where a vessel is using an ECS, paper charts remains the official basis for navigation aboard and the vessel must retain and use a full folio of up to date paper charts sufficient for the safe conduct of the voyage.

Although an ECS cannot be used as the primary means of navigation, the STCW and ISM codes still require the the shipowner to ensure that watch-keeping mariners aboars are properly trained to operate the equipment.

Because of the non-regulated aspect of ECS systems, they are often used as supplementary systems for soecific functions, such as workboat operations, portable pilot units, etc.

End FAQ