The ECDIS (electronic navigation chart) needs to meet a minimum level of reliability as per IMO RESOLUTION A.232 (82) performance standards for ECDIS.
The standard’s requirements give ECDIS guidelines to work and serve as an alternative to the paper nautical charts.
The flag states to consider ECDIS as the functional equivalent to paper nautical charts required by Chapter V Regulation 19 of the 1974 convention of the Safety of life at sea (solas v/19 as amended).
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List of Requirements for ECDIS :
- The primary function of the ECDIS is to contribute to safe navigation.
- ECDIS should be capable of displaying all chart information necessary for the safe and efficient navigation originated by, and distributed on the authority of, the government authorized Hydrography offices.
- ECDIS should facilitate reliable and straightforward updating of the electronic navigational chart.
- ECDIS should reduce the navigational workload compared to the use of the paper chart. It should enable the planning of the voyage and be capable of continuously plotting ship’s position
- The ECDIS display may also be used to display radar; radar tracked target information, AIS, and other appropriate data layers to assist in route monitoring.
- ECDIS should have the same reliability and availability of presentation as the paper chart published by governments.
- ECDIS should provide appropriate alarms or indications concerning the information displayed or malfunction of the equipment.
- When the chart information is not available in the proper form, ECDIS equipment must operate with Raster Chart display system (RCDS) MODE
- The system should include a timely transfer to the back-up system during critical navigation situations and allow the vessel to be safely navigated until the termination of the voyage.
ECDIS Back up requirements
What is the purpose of ECDIS back up?
The purpose of an ECDIS back-up system is to ensure that safe navigation is not compromised in the event of ECDIS failure.
This should include a timely transfer to the back-up system during critical navigation situations.
The back-up system shall allow the vessel to be navigated safely until the termination of the voyage.
List of Back up requirements for ECDIS
- Facilities enabling a safe take-over of ECDIS functions in order to ensure that an ECDIS failure does not result in a critical situation.
- A means to provide for safe navigation for the remaining part of the voyage in case of ECDIS failure.
- For ships using ECDIS as their primary means of navigation, additional and independent ECDIS shall be provided as a back-up. The back-up ECDIS should be connected to a separate power supply and connected to systems providing continuous Position-fixing capability.
- When the ECDIS operates as Raster chart display system RCDS mode using RNC data due to lack of coverage by electronic navigations chart (ENC), AN APPROPRIATE FOLIO OF update paper charts must be maintained fo areas where only raster chart coverage is available.
- For ships using ECDIS as an aid to navigation, the ship must carry and maintain an appropriate folio of update paper chart.
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