ECDIS Procedures Guide - 2024-2025 Edition

It is vital that all ships carrying ECDIS have installed and understood the latest updates and requirements. This title provides a framework, as well as supporting background information and checklists, to aid officers in fulfilling STCW requirements.

The 2024-2025 edition has been significantly updated throughout, reflecting all the latest software, hardware, documentation, PSC/audit skill gaps and procedures for best practice.

New chapters on correct hardware setup, correct software setup, CPD scenarios and solutions have been added, as well as updates including:

• the latest standards of equipment and software updates, including the timeline of S-100 in use at sea
• ECDIS documentation and compliance in line with the latest IMO circulars and marine general orders
• known chartering issues, support and solutions such as CATZOC inaccuracies, EPNMs and ENC symbology
• new features such as ?Decision Support Tools? to optimise ECDIS procedures for 2024
• PSC/inspection administration and records including the latest data recording improvements
• the transition from NAVTEX to NAVDAT
• the top 25 ECDIS questions used at inspection and incident case studies
• ECDIS safety checklists for 2024.

Volume 2 of the Guide is available for download. It features Type Specific ECDIS Quick Reference Guides to help the navigator identify the functional differences between systems and become familiarised with the specific system on board their ship. These Guides reflect the standards required on board, concentrating on the typical ECDIS configurations of sensors at sea. This volume also includes Type Specific familiarisation checklists to be filled in by ECDIS operators, as well as annotated screenshots highlighting key ECDIS menu functions.

As the 6th Generation of ECDIS software enters its second year, a ?periodically unattended bridge? appears to be within reach. The latest ECDIS not only plans and follows a route automatically, it adapts to the shipping situation, applies COLREGs and remains within safe water limits. In 2024 the first manufacturer received full DNV approval for integrating these functions into the ECDIS software. Other manufacturers are awaiting approval for ?official? use at sea, however the functions are already available in the latest version of their ECDIS software. This follows the success of the periodically unattended machinery space and paves the way to fully autonomous shipping.

Feedback from seafarers indicates that STCW Generic ECDIS training does not meet the increasing capability of 6th Generation ECDIS software. Type Specific training is periodically revised to be kept up to date. However, this Guide remains an invaluable educational resource for ECDIS operators, and for updating the SMS and ship procedures. ECDIS was originally designed to replace the paper chart, however its current purpose is multi-layered. To stay safe in this rapidly changing industry, robust procedures must be maintained.

Mark Broster

FRIN, AFNI, FInstLM, FIMarEST, HCMM

The Evolution of ECDIS
Foreword
About ECDIS Ltd
Updates to the 2024?2025 ECDIS Procedures Guide
Definitions
[Part 1] ECDIS Documentation, Compliance and Latest Standards 1
1 Latest Standards of Equipment and Software Updates 3
1.1 Latest Software Required on Board
1.2 Latest Standards for ECDIS Equipment
1.3 GNSS Options and Known Jamming Areas
1.4 The Transition to S-100
1.5 The Transition to S-Mode
2 ECDIS Documentation and Compliance 23
2.1 List of Latest Circulars and Marine General Orders
2.2 ISM ECDIS Audit Template 2025 and Risk Assessment Calculations
2.3 Assessing ECDIS Software Suitability
2.4 List of Integrated Equipment
2.5 Warranty, Maintenance and Performance Test Procedures
2.6 Manufacturer?s User Guide Requirements
2.7 STCW Mandated Training Certificates
2.8 IMO 1.27 Generic Training
2.9 Type Specific and Familiarisation Training
2.10 Latest ECDIS Functions Checklist for Legacy Training
[Part 2] Preparing ECDIS for Use 53
3 Correct Hardware Setup and Defect Problem Solving 55
3.1 Minimum Bridge Setup Requirements for Single and Dual Approved ECDIS
3.2 Service Mode/Engineer Access Codes
3.3 Installation Settings and Passwords
3.4 Minimum Sensor Requirements
3.5 COM Setup
3.6 Bridge Alert Management (BAM) and Central Alert Management (CAM)
3.7 Planning Stations and Legal Implications of Use
3.8 Potential Issues with Integrated Bridge System Keyboards
3.9 Backup Requirements and Power Failure
3.10 Reported Hardware Defects and Solutions
4 Correct Software Setup and Defect Problem Solving 71
4.1 Safely Displaying Measuring and Depth Units
4.2 Common Consistent Reference Point (CCRP)
4.3 User Alarm Choices
4.4 IMO Recommended Configuration of Alarms and Indicators
4.5 System Configuration and Maintenance
4.6 Impact of Incorrect System/Local Time Setup
4.7 System Sensor and Local Sensor
4.8 Known Manufacturer Software Limitations and Solutions
4.9 Scan Route Failings
4.10 SMS Compliant Software Updates
4.11 Reported Software Defects and Solutions
5 Known Charting Issues, Support and Solutions 89
5.1 Licences and Permits
5.2 Global Expansion of Pay As You Sail (PAYS)
5.3 Polar Navigation
5.4 Overview of Current ENC Coverage and Notable Gaps
5.5 ENC Chart Symbology
5.6 ENC Scales, Known Issues and Support
5.7 Chart Disparity Between National ENCs on Passage
5.8 Scale 6 Berthing Charts
5.9 High Density (HD) ENCs
5.10 Datum Warnings
5.11 Raster Chart Display System (RCDS) Mode
5.12 Display Accuracy
5.13 SCAMIN/SCAMAX
5.14 Surveys and Chart Data
5.15 CATZOC ? Understanding the Underlying Data and Using it Safely
5.16 Admiralty Information Overlay (AIO)
5.17 Electronic Preliminary Notices to Mariners (EPNM)
5.18 Automatically Plotted T&P Status by Country in 2024
5.19 Updating Charts
5.20 Chart Spot-Checks
[Part 3] Optimum Standards of Navigation at Sea 125
6 Optimum ECDIS Procedures for Safe Navigation 127
6.1 Appraisal
6.2 Planning ? General Considerations
6.3 Planning ? Open Ocean
6.4 Planning ? Coastal
6.5 Planning ? Confined Waters
6.6 Planning ? Blind Pilotage
6.7 Execution
6.8 Monitoring
6.9 Verifying the Position in ECDIS
6.10 Navigating in DR/EP Mode
6.11 Variation and Deviation
6.12 Monitoring Performance of Sensors
6.13 ECDIS Safety Functions
6.14 Anchor Watch Functions
6.15 Performance Indicator Monitoring (PIM)
6.16 AIS Filtering
6.17 Man Overboard (MOB)
6.18 Automatic Integration of COLREGs into ECDIS
7 PSC/Inspection Administration and Records
7.1 IMO Required ECDIS Data Recording
7.2 Backup Procedure
7.3 Records and Documentation
7.4 ECDIS Screen Capture
7.5 Shore Support and Remote Navigation Audit Option
[Part 4] ECDIS Vulnerabilities and Failings at Sea 195
8 Equipment and Sensor Vulnerabilities and Solutions 197
8.1 Practical Cyber Security Procedures
8.2 Monitoring GNSS for Jamming/Spoofing
8.3 NAVTEX Vulnerabilities and the New NAVDAT Solution
8.4 SATCOM Vulnerabilities to Hacking
8.5 Transferring Non-Secure Data to ECDIS and Auxiliary Equipment
8.6 Virus Protection Options
8.7 Operating System/Software Update Concerns
9 Observations/Non-Conformities and Incidents at Sea 209
9.1 Top 25 Inspection Considerations in 2024?2025
9.2 ECDIS Observations
9.3 Training Shortfalls Highlighted by Inspections
9.4 ECDIS Non-Conformities and Detentions ? PSC
9.5 Responsibility for Safe Navigation
[Part 5] Onboard CPD Package and Checklists 225
10 CPD Scenarios to Compensate for Training Shortfalls 227
10.1 ECDIS Skill Gaps
10.2 Scenario 1 ? ENC Chart Symbology
10.3 Scenario 2 ? Chart Spot Checks
10.4 Scenario 3 ? Pre-ECDIS PSC Inspections
10.5 Scenario 4 ? Sensor Setup
10.6 Scenario 5 ? Navigating in DR Mode
10.7 Scenario 6 ? Fixing
10.8 Scenario 7 ? Admiralty Information Overlay (AIO)
10.9 Scenario 8 ? CATZOC
10.10 Scenario 9 ? Bridge Alert Management (BAM)
10.11 Scenario 10 ? Playback Options
10.12 Scenario 11 ? Bridge Equipment Failures
10.13 Scenario 12 ? MOB/SAR
10.14 Scenario 13 ? ECDIS Safety Functions
10.15 Scenario 14 ? Planning
10.16 Scenario 15 ? Anchor Watches and Guard Zones
11 ECDIS Safety Checklists for 2024 243
11.1 OOW Handover Checklist
11.2 Master?s Night Orders
11.3 Pre-Sailing Checklist
11.4 ECDIS Configuration Cards
11.5 GNSS Failure
11.6 Log Failure
11.7 Gyro Failure
11.8 ECDIS Failure
11.9 Bridge Blackout and Loss of All Navigation
11.10 ECDIS Cyber Security Checklist
11.11 Pre-Departure/Voyage Briefing Card
[Part 6] Annexes 255
Annex A Checking the IHO S-52 Presentation Library Edition Number in ECDIS 257
Annex B ECDIS Alarms and Alerts 261
Annex C Chart Spot-Check Log 275
Annex D Manual Corrections Log 277
Annex E Chart Update Log 279
Annex F Pre-Port Arrival ? Top 10 PSC ECDIS Preparation Activities for 2024
(approximately 5 minutes each) 281
Annex G STCW Competency Exam Questions and Answers ? OOW Level 289
Annex H STCW Competency Exam Questions and Answers ? Mates/Masters Level 293
ix
Volume 2 ECDIS Type Specific Information (Online)
Introduction
Type Specific ECDIS Course Content
1.1 Setting to Work
1.2 Familiarisation
1.3 Navigation Tools
1.4 Planning a Route
1.5 Monitoring a Route
Type Specific Quick Reference Guides

Witherbys

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Witherbys staff have significant expertise in the fields of navigation and hazardous cargoes as well as in the presentation of complex subjects in a graphic and easy to understand manner.

ECDIS Ltd

ECDIS Ltd provide ECDIS training for over 200 international shipping companies and are the authors of multiple ECDIS publications including The ECDIS Manual, as well as the IMO 1.27 ECDIS model course.