ECDIS Passage Planning and Watchkeeping - 2024 Edition

This publication equips navigators with a thorough knowledge of ECDIS, contributing towards safer navigation and a more effective bridge team. It encourages operators to practise using every function and technique available on ECDIS, such as new automatic functions for creating 'no-go' alarms, 3D ENC functionality and use of VHF. A revised introduction chapter details the latest IMO Performance Standards for ECDIS equipment.

The 2024–25 edition also includes a new chapter on Port State Control, Audits and Verifying Compliance. The verification checks are split according to ECDIS and Passage Planning verification, with the latter following the APEM structure. Each area of inspection is covered, with guidance included on how to conduct the checks.

Updated ECDIS screenshots, expanded NAVTEX content and illustrations such as the PSC flowchart aid readers' understanding of best practice techniques.

Definitions

Abbreviations

ECDIS Passage Planning and Watchkeeping

1 ECDIS and Passage Planning Requirements

Introduction

1.1 ECDIS Requirements

1.2 ECDIS Standards

1.2.1 IMO Standards

1.2.2 IHO Standards

1.3 ECDIS Training

1.4 The Components of ECDIS

1.5 APEM Passage Planning

1.6 Effective Planning on ECDIS

2 Configuration of ECDIS Settings

Introduction

2.1 Configuration of ECDIS Sensors

2.1.1 CCRP and Technical Set-up

2.1.2 Sensor Settings

2.1.3 ECDIS Alert Management

2.2 Depth Contours and Safety Settings

2.3 Safety Settings Calculations

2.3.1 Datums and Vertical Clearance

2.3.2 Safety Contour and Safety Depth

2.4 Cross Track Distance (XTD)/Safety Corridor

2.5 Detection Area

2.6 Navigational Hazards

2.7 Isolated Dangers

2.8 Areas for which Special Conditions Exist

2.9 Chart Display Settings

2.9.1 System Units

2.9.2 ENC Loading Options

2.9.3 Display Category

2.9.4 Two/Four Colour Shading

2.9.5 Further Display Settings

2.9.6 SCAMIN and SCAMAX

2.9.7 Symbols

2.9.8 Standardisation of Symbols, Terms and Abbreviations (S-Mode)

2.9.9 Palette

2.9.10 Chart Legend

2.9.11 Environmental Data

2.10 Ship Display Parameters

2.11 Route Display Parameters

2.11.1 Route Alarms

2.11.2 Other Display Options

3 Appraisal/Information Gathering

Introduction

3.1 Overview of Appraisal Research

3.2 Destination

3.3 Meteorology

3.3.1 Passage Planning on ECDIS in Ice Regions

3.4 Datums

3.5 ENC Scales and Usage Bands

3.5.1 HD ENCs

3.5.2 Example of Usage Bands

3.5.3 ENC Review

3.6 ENC Management and Installation

3.7 ENC Updates

3.7.1 Chart Subscription Expiry

3.8 CATZOC Review

3.9 Pick Reports

3.10 Other Considerations

4 Planning the Voyage

Introduction

4.1 Display Configuration

4.1.1 NAVTEX

4.1.2 Admiralty Information Overlay (AIO)

4.2 Route Creation

4.2.1 New Route

4.2.2 Adding Waypoints

4.2.3 Adjusting Waypoints

4.2.4 Route Table

4.3 Mariner-added Objects

4.4 Manual ENC Updates

4.5 Route Check

4.5.1 Configuration of the Route Check

4.5.2 Conducting the Route Check

4.5.3 Manual (Visual) Check

4.6 Route Management and the Voyage Plan

4.7 Master?s Approval and Bridge Team Briefing

5 Execution

6 Monitoring

Introduction

6.1 ECDIS Handover

6.2 Position Monitoring and Verification of the GNSS

6.2.1 Verification Methods

6.2.2 Position Verification Frequency

6.2.3 Position Verification Summary

6.3 Other Watchkeeping Considerations

6.3.1 Waypoint Passing Criteria

6.3.2 ECDIS and Track Control Systems

6.3.3 Magnetic Compass

6.3.4 ECDIS Safety Settings and Change of Orders

6.3.5 Alarms and Alerts

6.4 Managing the ETA

6.5 ARPA and AIS Overlay

6.5.1 Radar Information

6.5.2 Chart Radar

6.5.3 AIS Integration with ECDIS

6.5.4 AIS Aids to Navigation (AIS AtoNs)

6.6 Anchor Watch Monitoring

6.7 ECDIS Additional Functionality

6.7.1 SAR Patterns

6.7.2 Man Overboard (MOB)

6.7.3 3D Charts

6.7.4 VHF

6.8 Logbook, ECDIS Voyage Recording and Playback

6.9 Sensor Failure

6.9.1 Heading and Speed Failure

6.9.2 GNSS Failure

6.9.3 Other Sensor Failure

6.10 ECDIS Failure

6.10.1 Software and Hardware Failure

6.11 Cyber Security

6.11.1 Security Drill - ECDIS Cyber Security

6.12 Pilotage Considerations

6.13 Effective Monitoring

7 Preparation for PSC, Audits and Inspections

Introduction

7.1 Overview of ECDIS and Passage Planning Checks

7.1.1 Summary of ECDIS Verifications

7.1.2 Summary of Passage Planning Verifications

7.1.3 Port State Control and Audits

7.2 ECDIS System Requirements

7.3 ECDIS Backup Requirements

7.4 ENC Requirements

7.5 ECDIS Operator Requirements

7.6 Voyage Appraisal Requirements

7.7 Voyage Planning Requirements

7.8 Voyage Execution Requirements

7.9 Voyage Monitoring Requirements

7.10 Verification Summary Checklist

Annexes

A ECDIS Checklists

ECDIS Operator Familiarisation Checklist

ECDIS Appraisal and Planning Checklist

ECDIS Pre-sailing Checklist

ECDIS Safety Settings Checklist

ECDIS Handover Checklist

ECDIS Failure Checklist

GNSS Failure Checklist

Anchorage Checklist

B IMO: ?ECDIS ? Guidance for Good Practice?

C ECDIS-related Extracts from U.S. Chart No. 1

Positions, Distances, Directions, Compass

Natural Features

Cultural Features

Landmarks

Ports

Tides, Currents

Depths

Nature of the Seabed

Rocks, Wrecks, Obstructions and Aquaculture

Offshore Installations

Tracks, Routes

Areas, Limits

Lights

Buoys, Beacons

Fog Signals

Radar, Radio, Satellite Navigation Systems

Services

D Display Options

E S-63 Error Codes and Explanations

F Objects Associated with the Question Mark Symbol

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