Feature 4 | ELECTRONIC CHARTING SYSTEMS
with marine radar and AIS equipment. Where AIS is integrated, it is possible to enter and transmit AIS messages. T e few craſt equipped to date with the
system include the recently launched fi shery research vessel Alba na Mara, designed and built by Macduff Ship Design, which has a dual Mini ECDIS chart plotter installation. Other companies have systems that
they claim comply with the Mini ECDIS standard, but these have not so far been submitted under the self-certification process and registered. Transas Marine UK, for instance, claims that the trawler version of its NaviFisher navigation software, NF300, was the fi rst to meet the MCA’s Mini ECDIS specifi cation.
Pilot ECDIS A third example of a ‘special needs’ ECDIS is Pilot Mate-NP, a portable ECDIS for pilots produced by Norwegian company Maris, well known as a distributor of electronic navigational charts (ENCs). Following a 2004 grounding and capsize
accident in which 18 seamen died, the Norwegian Coastal Administration (NCA) stated a need for only official electronic charts to be used in navigation, along with an effi cient mechanism for chart updating. In addressing this, the NCA decided to equip all its pilots with an electronic chart system that would utilise offi cial ENCs and provide email chart updates. It awarded Maris the contract to develop and provide 270 systems for its pilots and issued a specifi cation based on that for ECDIS. T e resulting small, handy system, which
uses Wheelmark certifi ed Maris ECDIS900 soſt ware, interfaces to a display on the ship and can be set up within a few minutes of the pilot arriving onboard. Battery power provides up to seven hours of service between charges. Among its other functions, Pilot Mate-NP
compresses chart correction data enabling charts to be updated in minutes by e-mail. Pilot specifi c information features are catered for by a marine data system developed by Maris. Pilots can access individual pilot databases as well as weather forecasts, GRIB fi les and current and tidal data.
Uptake In addition to its use in Norway as standard pilot equipment, several Pilot Mate-NP
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Go ahead for ECDIS
PC Maritime has welcomed the news from IMO that the installation of ECDIS is set to become mandatory within a relatively short period of time. With a timetable in place, owners, managers, equipment suppliers, and very importantly, the training establishments, can start their own planning. The dates by which ECDIS must be fi tted need to be considered against the preparations that owners and managers must go through fi rst. These include: choice of supplier, development of safety procedures and assessments, installations, training, and familiarisation. What the industry does not need is a last-minute rush to fi t equipment; bridge teams - from masters to cadets – need to receive proper training and to become familiar with ECDIS systems.
PC Maritime believes that adopting ECDIS in two stages over one to three years is a manageable, effi cient, and cost-effective way forward for those companies which elect not to fi t dual ECDIS from the outset. This can be tackled in two stages: stage one is to fi t single ECDIS - gain the benefi ts, complete the training, develop safety management procedures, and assess cost and safety benefi ts; while stage two is to fi t second back-up ECDIS when ready to go paperless.
systems are used by pilots in the UK, where the system has won UKHO approval. Unfortunately, in contrast, there has so
far been minimal uptake for Mini ECDIS by the UK fi shing community. Regretting this, Kingfisher manager, Neil Murray, points out that hard-pressed fi shermen fi nd it diffi cult to invest in any equipment that is not mandatory or grant supported. He would like to see grants made
available to stimulate some initial adoption, and believes that legislation mandating the use of offi cial charts only would help the Mini ECDIS cause. He argues that Mini ECDIS should not be allowed to fade away, saying: ‘We consider it’s a safety issue; this system can genuinely improve safety. For one thing, Mini ECDIS is a dedicated system and does not rely on the use of, say, laptop computers that are used for other purposes as well, something that could compromise system reliability.’ He adds that fi shermen use non-approved
systems and charts at their own risk whereas, if only official ENCs are used, the chart producing authority has liability. Dr Steve Taylor, managing director
of Geomatix, who was an IT advisor to Seafi sh during the Mini ECDIS project, says that high prices of offi cial S-57 charts have daunted fi shermen. Producing and selling charts that cover sea areas on a
cellular basis, at some £25 per chart at one point, meant very substantial outlays for fi shermen who typically range over large areas of sea. Many have naturally preferred cheap
unoffi cial and even pirated chart soſt ware used on inexpensive PCs or unapproved electronic chart system (ECS). Mr Taylor concedes that the UKHO has addressed this point to an extent with its latest S-57 charts which are more aff ordable. Matters should improve still further with the introduction of S-100 charts to supersede the present S-57 series. T e IHO’s new standard for ENC will cater for an expanded range of maritime features and customer groups. Mr Taylor further points out that: ‘Users
can install unapproved charts, some of which are very good but lack offi cial weight, in approved Mini ECIDS hardware, but the moment they do that, in the eyes of the authorities the system stops being a legitimate Mini ECDIS system.’ From the foregoing, it is clear that
standard maritime ECDIS is not a ‘one size fi ts all’ solution and that there is a defi nite requirement for ‘special needs’ ECDIS systems. Given acquiescence, better still recognition, by IMO and IHO; such systems are likely to become fully accepted and valuable extensions to the ECDIS concept. SBI
Ship & Boat International September/October 2008
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