The Advantages of Navigating with ECDIS

Marine Operations The advantages of navigating with ECDIS and best practices to counter the inherent limitations

INTRODUCTION A nautical chart is one of the most fundamental tools available to the mariner. It is a map that depicts the configuration of the shoreline and seafloor. It provides water depths, locations of dangers to navigation, locations and characteristics of aids to navigation, anchorages, and other

By Captain features.

Prashant Kumar The nautical chart is essential for safe navigation. Mariners use charts to plan voyages and navigate ships safely and economically. Ships have long been required to carry 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. The advent of electronic charts in the 1990s provided ships with additional information, including real time information which could be displayed on screens on Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS). ECDIS carriage became mandatory on January 2011 through SOLAS regulation V/19 which requires newly built cargo ships of 3,000 gross tonnage and upwards engaged on international voyages to be fitted with ECDIS. The undeniable safety benefits of navigating with ECDIS were recognized through Formal Safety Assessments submitted to the Organization and experience gained by the voluntary use of ECDIS for many years. ECDIS is a complex, safety-relevant, software-based system with multiple options for display and integration. The ongoing safe and effective use of ECDIS involves many stakeholders including seafarers, equipment manufacturers, chart producers, hardware and software maintenance providers, ship owners and operators, and training providers. It is important that all these stakeholders have a clear and common understanding of their roles and responsibilities in relation to ECDIS. DISCUSSION & RECOMMENDATIONS Like with any new system, ECDIS has its fair share of positives and negatives. However, with the passage of time and evolution of the system, ECDIS has been accepted across the board as a reliable and, in many ways, a better alternative to the old system of paper charts. The installation of ECDIS allowed for the digitalization and integration of several procedures i.e. the introduction of an electronic passage plan and overlaying of weather data and forecasts. This type of integration eliminates cumbersome and repetitive administrative tasks, reduces fatigue of the OOW and ultimately enhances safety of navigation. While appreciating the improvements and advantages, an attempt is made here to simultaneously examine practical workarounds on the more pressing challenges thrown at us by ECDIS. ECDIS has brought in a sort of revolution in the task of position fixing and monitoring. The OOW does not have to constantly move between the chart room and wheel house to carry out position fixing and route monitoring/collision avoidance. The unified template of ECDIS, integrated as part of the larger Integrated Bridge System consoles, helps the watchkeeper to maintain orientation to the outward direction while being provided with the luxury of continuous real time position fixing. Flexibility in chart availability and chart correction increasingly becoming real time has resulted in significant cost savings in the long run, especially with respect to logistical challenges in arranging paper charts delivery and subsequent notices for correction. Digitalization and connectivity has led to a reduced carbon footprint by avoiding deviations and saving valuable resources through elimination of paper use. With Radar overlay juxtaposed with continuous feed from critical instruments, the ECDIS screen is now a single window into the actions of Collision avoidance, Anti grounding, Look ahead and position fixing. However, in this single window concept lies a hidden risk of the OOW getting too comfortable with the system and neglecting the prime objective of lookout by visual means which should be consciously and regularly practised as the first source of information for decision making.

Limitations of the information on the chart particularly relating to CATZOC and bathymetric data have to be kept in mind while carrying out passage planning, Under Keel Clearance calculations and route monitoring, especially with the Look Ahead feature. Adequate risk management and training is required. Alarm fatigue is the proverbial elephant in the room when discussing OOW challenges on bridge. With increased features and higher processing capabilities, ECDIS can also become a significant contributor to Alarm fatigue. Alarm management procedures are established in order to ensure safe navigation. One of the important features of the paper chart was the inability of the user to take away any information from the chart. The user was only permitted to add on to whatever was given. In the race to provide customization and clutter free interface on the relatively small ECDIS screen, manufacturers often permit the removal of critical information, which if not available at the right time can lead to loss of situational awareness on the part of the watchkeeper, leading to catastrophic results. A constant check on the availability and accuracy of the feed from various critical instruments will have to be monitored for effective performance. Continuous familiarization, training, feedback of navigational audits and inspections will lead to a better understanding and efficient use of ECDIS. Specific mention is required of the system’s limitations and the need to become familiar with the approved manual for troubleshooting. It is a given that the hardware along with the software has to be periodically upgraded or else the software may become too heavy for the existing hardware to cope with and can lead to system failure with the incorporation of newer features. ECDIS maintenance is therefore incorporated into the vessels’ Planned Maintenance System according to the maker’s recommendations. With an increase in automation and constant digital handshake via the Internet, cyber security systems are required to ensure that a critical system like ECDIS does not fall prey to malicious cyber attacks. An excellent study contributing to the enhancement of ECDIS operation was published by MAIB & DMAIB in September 2021, titled “Application and usability of ECDIS, a MAIB and DMAIB collaborative study on ECDIS use from the perspective of practitioners”.

CONCLUSION For any mariner used to the paper chart system, migration to a totally paperless ECDIS was a huge but ultimately beneficial change. In the same breath it has to be mentioned that modern watchkeepers have to keep up their guard against overdependence on this wonderful aid to navigation. Over the last few years of its adoption ECDIS has proven itself more than worthy to take on the role of the lead equipment on the bridge for the watchkeeper. ECDIS leads to safer navigation if configured, understood and used properly.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

1.https://www.gov.uk/government/news/collaborative-study-on-the-application-andusability-of-ecdis-published “Application and usability of ECDIS, a MAIB and DMAIB collaborative study on ECDIS use from the perspective of practitioners” 2.https://www.marineinsight.com/marine-navigation/pros-and-cons-of-ecdis-orpaperless-navigation-of-ships/ 3. https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/nautical_chart.html 4. https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Safety/Pages/ElectronicCharts.aspx