ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Electronic
ElectronicChart
ChartDisplay
Displayand
andInformation
InformationSystem
System

Definition;

Legal Aspects;

Numeric Cartography:

Vector Chart;

Raster Chart;

Official Charts (ENC, RNC).

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Electronic
ElectronicChart
ChartDisplay
Displayand
andInformation
InformationSystem
System
ECDIS: An Electronic Chart Display and Information System is a Geographic
Information System (GIS) that complies with International Maritime
Organization (IMO) regulations and can be used in replacement of paper
navigation charts.
GIS: Computer-based technologies for storage, manipulation, and analysis
of geographically referenced information.
A Geographic Information System differs from other computerized
information systems for the following reasons:
1. the information is geographically referenced (geo-coded);
2. higher capabilities for data analysis and scientific modelling, in addition to
the usual data input, storage, retrieval, and output functions.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Electronic
ElectronicChart
ChartDisplay
Displayand
andInformation
InformationSystem
System
The system displays information from electronic navigational charts and
integrates position information from the Global Positioning System (GPS)
and other navigational sensors, such as:
1. Radar (Target and display on top);
2. Echo-sounder;
3. Gyro-compass;
4. Wind sensors;
5. Speed-Log;
6. Automatic Identification Systems (AIS).
For these reasons ECDIS represents a real time Geographical Information
System.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Electronic
ElectronicChart
ChartDisplay
Displayand
andInformation
InformationSystem
System

GPS/DGPS
Speed-Log
Gyro-Compass

Software for

Software for

Route Planning

Route Monitoring

Allarms
Autopilot

Navigation

Chart Database

System

(vector)
C.P.U.
Data Logger

Radar
AIS

Real time

Echo-sounder

information

Wind-sensors
Keyboard
Display

Print

Manual
Data Input

Trackball
Mouse

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Electronic
ElectronicChart
ChartDisplay
Displayand
andInformation
InformationSystem
System
The primary function of an ECDIS is to contribute to safe navigation.
IMPORTANT: ECDIS IS
DECISION PROCESS.

AN

INSTRUMENT

FOR

SUPPORTING

There is a tendency to put too much trust in computer based systems and
believe whatever is on the display (Over reliance on ECDIS).
It is essential that officers remember to cross check the information
displayed by all other means available, especially by looking out the
window and watching the display.
At the same time the officer has to take care of the accuracy of the
integrated navigational sensors.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

International
InternationalOrganizations
Organizations
To ensure that ECDIS equipment intended for onboard use is seaworthy, it
must pass type approval and test procedures developed by the IEC
(International Electrotechnical Commission) based on the ECDIS
Performance Standards of IMO (International Maritime Organization) and
applying the IHO (International Hydrographic Organization) technical
standards related to the digital data format.
Type approval is a method to show conformance with IMO requirements on
a legal basis. It is initiated and required by all Flag States which are Member
States of the European Union and by many others including United States,
Japan and Australia.
ECDIS type approval is the certification process that ECDIS equipment must
undergo before it will be considered to comply with the IMO Performance
Standards for ECDIS by the international shipping community.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

International
InternationalOrganizations
Organizations
IHO

IMO
S-52
Performance Standards for ECDIS
IMO Model Course 1.27
SOLAS Convention
STCW

S-57

Specifications for ECDIS

Transfer
S-57
Standard for
App.1 Guidance on Updating
Specifications for ECDIS
Digital
Transfer
App.2 Colour and Symbol
Standard for
App.1 Guidance on Updating Hydrographic
App.3 Glossary of ECDISData
Digital
App.2
Colour
and Symbol
related
Terms
Hydrographic
App.3 Glossary of ECDISData
related Terms

S-52

IEC
IEC

Publication 61174
Publication 61174
Maritime Navigation and Radiocommunication
Equipment and Systems - Electronic
Maritime
Navigation
Radiocommunication
Equipment
and Systems
- Electronic
Chart Display
and and
Information
System (ECDIS)
Operational
and performance
Chart
Display methods
and Information
(ECDIS)
Operational and performance
requirements,
of testingSystem
and required
testresults.
requirements, methods of testing and required test results.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Legacy
LegacyAspects
AspectsIMO
IMOPerformance
PerformanceStandards
Standards
There are two classes of navigational electronic chart system:
1. ECDIS, which meets the IMO/SOLAS chart carriage requirements;
2. ECS (Electronic Chart System), which can be used to assist
navigation, but does not meet IMO/SOLAS chart carriage
requirements.
ECDIS equipment is specified in the IMO ECDIS PERFORMANCE
STANDARDS IMO Resolution A817(19) & IMO Resolution
232(82):Adoption of the revised Performance Standards for ECDIS"; as
follows:
Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) means a
navigation information system which, with adequate back up
arrangements, can be accepted as complying with the up-to-date
chart required by regulation V/19 & V/27 of the 1974 SOLAS
Convention

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Legacy
LegacyAspects
AspectsIMO
IMOPerformance
PerformanceStandards
Standards
IMO SOLAS V/19:
2.1 All ships irrespective of size shall have:
()
2.1.4 nautical charts and nautical publications to plan and display the ships
route for the intended voyage and to plot and monitor positions throughout
the voyage; an Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS)
may be accepted as meeting the chart carriage requirements of this
subparagraph;
2.1.5 back-up arrangements to meet the functional requirements of
subparagraph 2.1.4, if this function is partly or fully fulfilled by electronic
means;*
*An appropriate folio of paper nautical charts may be used as a back-up
arrangement for ECDIS. Other back-up arrangements for ECDIS are
acceptable (see appendix 6 to resolution A.817(19), as amended).
IMO SOLAS V/27:
Nautical charts and nautical publications, such as sailing directions, lists of
lights, notices to mariners, tide tables and all other nautical publications
necessary for the intended voyage, shall be adequate and up to date.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Legacy
LegacyAspects
AspectsBack
BackUp
UpRequirements
Requirements
No electronic system is completely failsafe!
IMO Performance Standards therefore require that the overall system
include both a primary ECDIS and an adequate independent back up
arrangement.
IMO added Appendix 6 to the performance standards for ECDIS back up
requirements, lists the required functions and availability requirements of
back up arrangements, including:
Chart information using the latest official edition that are kept up-to-date
for the entire voyage;
Route planning capable of performing route planning functions, including
taking over the route plan of the primary system, and adjusting a planned
route;
Route monitoring enabling take-over of the route monitoring function
originally performed by the primary system, including plotting own ships
position and displaying the planned route;

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Legacy
LegacyAspects
AspectsBack
BackUp
UpRequirements
Requirements
Voyage recording that keeps a record of the ships actual track, including
positions and corresponding times.
The definition of these key functional requirements still leaves open
technical solutions representing adequate back up arrangements. Finally:
A second ECDIS connected to an independent
power supply and a separate GPS position input;
An ECDIS operating in the
RCDS mode of operation;

Back Up
Systems

An appropriate up-todate folio of official

paper charts for the
intended voyage;

A radar-based system called Chart-Radar according

to IMO Performance Standards for Chart Radar;

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Legacy
LegacyAspects
AspectsBack
BackUp
UpRequirements
Requirements
France
Acceptance of ECDIS:
Applies to all vessels; Maritime Authority provides certification;
Backup Arrangements for ECDIS:
At present the French Administration only authorises paper charts to be used as a
backup to ECDIS;
Acceptance of RCDS:
Applies to all vessels; Maritime Authority provides certification;
IMO or Flag State Notifications:
Rglement annex larrt du 23/11/1987, division 221;
Website:
www.mer.gouv.fr
IMO Circular Letter 2666

- Compendium of Flag State ECDIS requirements

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Legacy
LegacyAspects
AspectsENC
ENC
Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) means the database
standardised as to content, structure and format issued for use
with ECDIS on the authority of government-authorized
hydrographic offices.
The ENC contains all the chart information necessary for safe
navigation, and may contain supplementary information in
addition to that contained in the paper chart (e.g. sailing
directions), which may be considered necessary for safe
navigation.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
Cartography
There are two types of Numeric Chart:
1. Vector
2. Raster
The difference between them is the data archiving modality.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographyVector
VectorCharts
Charts
(x4,y4)
(x2,y2)

(x2,y2)
(x1,y1)

(x2,y2)
(x1,y1)

Point

Line

(x3,y3)

(x1,y1)

Polyline

(x3,y3)
(x1,y1)

Poligon

ENTITY:

Points are spatially stored using the coordinates. For example, a twodimensional point is stored as (x1,y1);

Lines are stored as a series of point pairs, where each pair represents a
straight line segment, for example, (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) indicating a line
from (x1, y1) to (x2, y2);

Polylines are a connected sequence of lines;

Polygons are a connected sequence of lines where the first and the last
points are coincident.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographyVector
VectorCharts
Charts
Y

P1

ID

ATTRIBUTE

1.5

Numeric Database

Each entity type may have one or more attribute. Attributes may describes
quantitative data ranked in 3 level of accuracy:

Ordinal (Ranks: Good, Better, Best);

Interval (Numeric: Age, Income);
Ratio (Scale: Length, Area);

Attributes may describes, also, qualitative data.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographyVector
VectorCharts
Charts
VECTOR DATA
ENTITY

ATTRIBUTE
Qualitative

Point
Poligon

Line

Quantitative

Polyline
Ordinal
Interval

Ratio

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographyVector
VectorCharts
Charts
For a building
ID (unique)

Attribute (qualitative)

Attribute (quantitative - Interval)

ID

Type

Area (m2)

Property Nb.

1.5

Industrial

400

40324

House

120

3546

..

Coordinates

Attribute (quantitative - Ratio)

...

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographyVector
VectorCharts
Charts
Y

P1

ID

ATTRIBUTE

1.5

Numeric Database

Vector charts are generally manufactured from scanned hydrographic

office paper charts. The scanned image is then digitised by tracing the
lines and features on the chart.
1. this vectorisation process stores chart features in layers (themes)
which can be redrawn automatically at an appropriate size as you zoom
into the chart. You can add or remove categories of data such as spot
depths, depth contours, navigation marks, etc.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographyVector
VectorCharts
Charts
2. you can query specific chart items (e.g. to get more information on a
navigation light);
3. you can display the chart at a larger scale than the source paper chart
(without image degradation). So it is very important to point out the concept
of Nominal Scale for Numeric Chart.
Remembering that Vector charts are generally manufactured from scanned
hydrographic office paper charts, Nominal Scale is the scale of the source
paper chart.
Pay attention: we can sail, for example, on a chart at 1:5000 with a
Nominal Scale of 1:50000.
The metric information and the chart data are from a 1:50000 scale
chart
4. systems automatically decide on the information to be displayed,
depending on the level of zoom.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographyVector
VectorCharts
Charts
VANTAGE:

Adding or removing layers of data;

Zooming and seeing more or less data appear according to the level of
zoom;

Displaying the chart at a larger scale than the source paper chart;

Not large data volumes - Compact data structure.

DISADVANTAGE:

The nature of the vector display is such that the chart data is not
displayed electronically as it was compiled (as a paper document) and the
original cartographic design of the paper chart is lost.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS
IHO
IHOS57
S57

To ensure that ECDIS function uniformly anywhere in the world, the

information elements contained in the database must be consistent.
It would make non sense for each Hydrographic Office to develop different
types of chart objects.
For this reason the IHO (International Hydrographic Organization) develop
an Object Catalogue that described the range of attributes to be assigned
to each object (www.S-57.com).
As the key component of the IHO Transfer Standard for Digital
Hydrographic Data (IHO S-57), the object catalogue ensures that the
database for ECDIS, the Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC), is
properly constructed and organized.
So

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS
IHO
IHOS57
S57

the IHO Transfer Data for Digital Hydrographic Data (usually

abbreviated as IHO S-57) establishes the requirements for producing
an ENC to be used with an ECDIS satisfying the ECDIS Performance
Standard A817(19).
It was completed in November 1996 and published in March 1997 (a new
version has been published in 2000).

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

WEND
WEND(World-wide
(World-wideElectronic
ElectronicNavigational
NavigationalChart
ChartData
DataBase)
Base)
The Electronic Chart are produced under the authority of a government
organisation (Hydrographic Organization). The user, then, can obtain the
ENCs from the various HOs directly. This becomes prohibitively
cumbersome if the user engaged on international voyage.
Therefore service providers have been established which collect the ENCs
from different HOs and maybe other sources, to deliver to the end user all
data he needs for his voyage.
A particular problem is to ensure that all official ENCs produced by a
large number of different HOs are of the same quality.
Without an additional intervening mechanism ensuring uniform data quality,
Mariners would be left with inconsistencies between ENCs from different
HOs.
This the background why IHO has developed a concept for a worldwide
official ENC service.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

WEND
WENDECDIS
ECDISData
DataService
Service
The concept of an official data Service was developed in conjunction with
the IMO requirements to establish a worldwide uniform updating service.
An official ECDIS data service include:

Global Uniformity of data: All participants must work in accordance

with the same standard, i.e. S-57 data transfer standard. It must
ensured that ENCs from all producing HOs worldwide exhibit
consistent contents and display.
Quickest way from the source to ECDIS: This excludes any
additional levels of processing. That is why the data must come directly
from the originators. The Hydrographic Offices must have strict sharing
of work in close co-operation. This ensures at the same time the global
uniformity of data.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

WEND
WENDECDIS
ECDISData
DataService
Service
A reasonable solution is to have an arrangement for sharing the work of
setting up and facilitating the provision of a world-wide ECDIS data service
based upon agreed upon standard.
This arrangement was established by the IHO as the World-wide
Electronic Navigational Chart Data Base (WEND).
The purpose of WEND is to ensure a world-wide consistent level of high
quality, updated official ENCs trough integrated services that support chart
carriage requirements of SOLAS Chapter V and requirements of the IMO
Performance Standards for ECDIS.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

WEND
WENDECDIS
ECDISData
DataService
Service--RENC
RENC
WEND consists of two components to achieve its purpose:
A charter describes the principles governing the co-operation. This
includes the following provisions:

By definition, the organization responsible for hydrographic survey

of an area is also responsible for the ECDIS data;
The relevant ECDIS standards, especially S-57 Edition 3 must be
observed;
The rules and responsibilities for producing and validating the data.
So called Regional Electronic Chart Co-ordinating Centres
(RENC) which are organisational entities where IHO members have
established co-operation amongst each other to guarantee a worldwide consistent level of high quality data, and for bringing about cocoordinated service with official ENCs and updates to them.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographyRaster
RasterCharts
Charts
An exact replica of the paper chart (scanner).
The Raster Image is subdivided in pixels, in a matrix of n lines and m
columns.
Each pixel has a homogeneous and not sub divisible contents.

Pixel

RADIOMETRIC RISOLUTION

CROMATIC RISOLUTION (BPP)

GEOMETRIC RISOLUTION (DPI)

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographyVector
Vectorand
andRaster
RasterCharts
Charts

Raster

Vector

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographyOfficial
OfficialCharts
Charts
Official electronic chart data and private chart data
Official electronic chart data are of two general types:
Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC);

Raster Navigational Charts (RNC).

The inner construction of ENCs and RNCs is fundamentally different:

ENCs are vector charts;

RNCs are raster charts.

The term Official, indicates that those chart data have been produced
under the authority of a government organisation in contrast to private.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographyENC
ENC
ENC means the database, standardized in the content, structure and
format, issued for use with ECDIS on the authority of governmentauthorized Hydrographic Offices.
ENCs are vector charts compiled from a database of individual georeferenced objects from Hydrographic Offices archives including existing
paper charts.
ENCs have the following attributes:
ENC content is based on source data or official charts of the responsible
Hydrographic Office;

ENCs are compiled and coded according to international standards;

ENCs are referred to World Geodetic System 1984 Datum (WGS84);

ENC content is the responsibility and liability of the issuing Hydrographic

Office;

ENCs are issued only by the responsible Hydrographic Office;

ENCs are regularly updated with official update information distributed

digitally.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographyENC
ENCS52/S57
S52/S57
In conjunction with the development of IMO Performance Standards for
ECDIS, the International Hydrographic Organization has developed
technical standards related to the digital data format, specifications for
ECDIS content and display, and data protection.
IHO Special Publication 52 (S-52): includes appendices describing the
means/process for updating, colour and symbol specifications, and a
glossary of ECDIS-related terms.

IHO Special Publication 57 (S-57): includes a description of the data

format, product specification for the production of ENC data, and an
updating profile.

Both IHO S-57 and S-52 are specified in the IMO Performance
Standards for ECDIS.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Displaying
DisplayingENCs
ENCsby
bymeans
meansofofthe
thePresentation
PresentationLibrary
Library
ENCs dont contain any explicit visualisation items. An ENC contains an
abstract description of geographic entities but does not contain any
presentation rules.
All presentation rules to get ENCs content displayed are contained in a
separate software module the so called Presentation Library.
Both the Geo-referenced object contained in the ENC and the fitting
symbolization contained in the Presentation Library are linked to each
other only in the very moment of their call up for display.
The definition of the Presentation Library for ENCs is contained in Annex A
of the IHO Special Publication S52, Appendix 2 Colours & Symbols
specifications for ECDIS.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Displaying
DisplayingENCs
ENCsby
bymeans
meansofofthe
thePresentation
PresentationLibrary
Library
ENC

PRESENTATION LIBRARY

Description of Geographic Entities

(S57)

Contains all presentation rules

(S52)

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographyENC/S63
ENC/S63
A majority of all ENCs are only made available to the end-users in a
protected form compliant with the IHO S-63 Data Protection scheme.
The S-63 protection scheme defines a mechanism for encrypting ENC
information and applying a digital signature to enable authentication of the
chart data by the end-user. The end-user will require a decryption key to
access and view the ENC data protected by the scheme.
Each ENC chart is encrypted with a different key, and the decryption keys
are issued to specific end-user systems and can consequently not be
exchanged or shared by different systems.
A majority of all ECDIS and ECS suppliers have developed support for IHO
S-63 and can read protected ENCs.
A few nations distribute their ENCs without using encryption; all ECDIS
systems are able to access and display these ENCs.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographySENC
SENC
An ECDIS does not process the ENC content directly for the matter of
display. ENCs in S-57 format are optimised to absorb the Hydrographic
object information but this structure is not adequate for the fast generation
of the resulting computer image on the screen.
In order to get efficient data structures that facilitate the rapid display of
ENC data, ECDIS firstly converts each ENC from S-57 ENC format into an
internal format called SENC (System ENC) which is optimised for chart
image creating routines.
Such routines are not standardised; they are part of the individual software
know-how of the ECDIS manufacturers. Consequently the SENC format
differs between the ECDIS of different manufacturers. In contrast to the
common uniform ENC format the SENC format is proprietary for each
ECDIS manufacturer.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographySENC
SENC
ENCs in S-57 format have to be translated into the internal data format or
SENC (System Electronic Navigational Chart) used by the ECDIS before
they can be displayed.
The main SENC formats are C-Map's CM-ENC (CM-93/3) format
supported by over 20 ECDIS manufacturers.
The most noticeable effect is the difference in installation and updating
time. Here are the results of tests from 10 Things They Should Have Told
You About ECDIS:

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographySENC
SENC
Comparison between S-57 ENC and SENC installation times
(all available cells, Sept 06)
S-57 ENC format:
Disk copying (5 base CDs) 1.5 hours
Decryption, verification and installation 11.2 hours
Total 12.7 hours
Apply Update CD 4.03 hours
CM-ENC SENC format:
Disk copying (1 DVD) 13 mins
Apply licence 5 mins
Total 18 mins
On line update A few minutes

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographyENC/N.P.N.S.R.
ENC/N.P.N.S.R.
During production, ENCs are assigned a compilation scale based upon the
nature of the source data they are based on, and are allocated to a
navigational purpose band related to this. As shown in the table below
there are 6 navigational purpose bands (scale ranges are indicative only).
Navigational Purpose Name Scale Range :
1 Overview
2 General
3 Coastal
4 Approach
5 Harbour
6 Berthing

>1:1 499 999

1:350 000 1:1 499 999
1:90 000 1:349 999
1:22 000 1:89 999
1:4 000 1:21 999
< 1:4 000

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographyENC
ENCCode
Code
Each ENC is identified by an 8 character identifier e.g. FR501050:
The first two characters indicate the producer e.g FR for France, IT for
Italy (a complete list of producer codes is included in the IHO standard S62).

The third character (a number from 1 to 6) indicates the navigational

purpose band.

The last 5 characters are alpha- numeric and provide a unique identifier.
A Chart with a different code is an unofficial chart.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographyENC
ENCCode
Code
ECDIS distinguishes an ENC from unofficial data. When unofficial data is
used, ECDIS informs mariners that they must navigate by means of an
official, up to date, paper chart by a continuous warning on the screen.
If unofficial data is shown on the ECDIS display, its boundary is to be
identified by a special line style. This boundary is visualized as a onesided RED line with the diagonal stroke on the unofficial side of the line.

ENC

Unofficial data chart

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographyUpdating
UpdatingENCs
ENCs
In principle the generation and distribution of regular updates uses
identical organisational structures as for the production and distribution of
ENCs described above. Their frequency is usually synchronised with the
chart corrections promulgated with national Notice to Mariners for the
affected sea areas.
Updates may reach the ship via different ways depending from the
capabilities of the service provider and the communication facilities
onboard:
On data distribution media, e.g. CD;

As e-mail attachment via SATCOM; and

As broadcast message via SATCOM plus additional communication

hardware.

A number of ENC service providers already have updating services using

e-mail and web and other means; details may be obtained from ENC
distributors.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographyUpdating
UpdatingENCs
ENCs
Updates to ENCs are sequential, and the sequence is unique to each
ENC. During the updating process ECDIS always checks that all updates
in the sequence have been applied. If an update is missing then the ECDIS
will indicate this; it is not possible to load later updates until the missing
update is applied.
The ECDIS maintains a list of updates applied and the date of application.
Port State Control officers may use the ECDIS listing to ensure that ENCs
are being kept up to date in accordance with SOLAS V Regulation 27.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographyENCs
ENCsCoverage
Coverage
The International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) provides an interactive web
catalogue (http://services.ecc.as/ihocc/public) displaying the status of worldwide
ENC production. This system has pointers for guiding users to ENC suppliers and
distributors.
It is also possible to download the ENC catalogue information from here as a
comma separated file.

ECS

- ELECTRONIC CHART SYSTEM

ECDIS - ELECTRONIC CHART DISPLAY AND INFORMATION SYSTEM

Data Base

Back-up
Arrangements

Status

Official Certificate
issued by Maritime
Administrtion

ECDIS

System not
accepted as legal
equivalent of
paper charts

ECS

Updating System

Official, regular
updading service

Electronic
Navigational
Charts
ENC

Adopted by
Maritime
Administration

Certification

No regular updates

ECS

International
Standards

IMO A.817/19
IHO S52, S57,
IEC 61174

Electronic Charts
System

Other data base

Other

ECS

ECS

ECS

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographyENC
ENC

In order to replace paper charts:

The chart data in use must be official - ENCs

where these are available.
What to do in areas without ENC coverage?

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographyRNC/RCDS
RNC/RCDS
RNC means Raster Navigational Chart. RNCs are digital raster copies of
official paper charts conforming to IHO Product Specifications RNC (S-61).
By definition RNCs can only be issued by, or on the authority of, a national
Hydrographic Office.
RNCs have the following attributes:

RNCs are a facsimile of official paper charts;

RNCs are produced according to international standards;

RNC content is the responsibility of the issuing Hydrographic Office; and

RNCs are regularly updated with official update information distributed

digitally.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographyRNC/RCDS
RNC/RCDS
In 1998 the IMO recognised that it would take some years to complete the
worlds coverage of ENCs.
As a consequence IMO ECDIS Performance Standards were amended
adding a new optional mode of operation of ECDIS, the Raster Chart
Display System (RCDS) mode.
In this mode RNCs can be used in ECDIS to meet SOLAS carriage
requirements for nautical charts. However, this is only allowed if approved
by the Flag State. The intention of those changes was to allow the ECDIS
to operate as far as possible on official chart data; ENCs where they were
available and RNCs to fill in the gaps.
IMO took note of the limitations of RNCs as compared to ENCs (see IMO
SN Circular 207 at Annex), and the revised ECDIS Performance Standards
require that the ECDIS must be used together with an appropriate folio of
up to date paper charts for the areas where RCDS mode is employed.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographyRNC/RCDS
RNC/RCDS
The intention was to allow the number of paper charts carried by a vessel
to be reduced where RCDS mode was employed, but only to a level
compatible with safe navigation. No definition of an appropriate folio was
provided by IMO and consequently different Flag States developed
individual interpretations.
As there is no common interpretation of the term appropriate ship owners
should consult their Flag State as to whether RCDS mode is allowed and
under what conditions.

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographyRNC/RCDS
RNC/RCDS
There are two official raster chart formats (RNC):
1. ARCS (UK HO) and Seafarer (Australian HO) both produced in the
UK HOs proprietary HCRF format. ARCS is updated weekly with the
same information as the weekly Notice to Mariners used to correct BA
paper charts. Seafarer is updated monthly on a similar basis.
2. BSB raster charts contain all the detail found in NOAA paper charts,
with updates published every 30 days. Weekly Notice to Mariner
updates will be available in the second quarter of 1998. These will be
distributed via the Internet and will be completely in-sync with the US
Coast Guard, NIMA and Canadian notices (free from NOAA web site).
+ CHS

ECS

- ELECTRONIC CHART SYSTEM

RCDS -

Certification
Updating System

RASTER CHART DISPLAY SYSTEM

+ an appropriate portfolio of up to date paper nautical

charts
Data Base

Official, regular
updading service

Raster
Navigational
Charts
Back-up
Arrangements

RNC

Any

No regular updates

Status

System accepted as
legal equivalent of
paper charts
(interim solution)

ECDIS
RCDS

System not
accepted as legal
equivalent of
paper charts

ECS

ECS

International
Standards

IMO A.817/19
Appendix 7

Other data base

ECS

IHO S-61

Electronic Charts
System

Other

ECS

ECS

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographyRNC/RCDS
RNC/RCDS

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographyRNC/RCDS
RNC/RCDS

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographyRNC/RCDS
RNC/RCDS

ECDIS COURSE - Italian Maritime Academy Technologies

ECDIS
ECDIS

Numeric
NumericCartography
CartographyRNC/RCDS
RNC/RCDS