Marine Notice 7/2017

Supersedes 8/2016

Guidance on ECDIS for ships calling at Australian ports

The phased carriage requirement of Edition 4.0 of S-52 Annex A - IHO ECDIS
Electronic Chart Display and Information Presentation Library
System (ECDIS) is underway and is
scheduled to be completed by 2018. Edition 1.2.0 of Publication S-63 IHO
Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC)
Comprehensive guidance is available in Data Protection Scheme
International Maritime Organization (IMO) Edition 3.0 of Publication S-64 IHO Test
Circular MSC.1/Circ.1503 ECDIS Guidance Data Sets for ECDIS.
for Good Practice. All ships masters,
navigating officers and operators of ships The previous edition of the S-52 standard (Ed
fitted with ECDIS are encouraged to use this 6.0) will remain valid until 31 August 2017.
guidance to facilitate the safe and effective After this date it will not display the latest
use of ECDIS. presentation library. To display the latest
approved presentation library, existing ECDIS
This Marine Notice highlights areas relevant systems will require upgrading to the latest
to the safe and proper operation of ECDIS for IHO standards before 31 August 2017. In
ships visiting Australian ports. It also provides some cases ECDIS equipment may require
information on AMSAs expectations for replacement if it cannot be updated to the
ECDIS compliance during port State control latest standards.
(PSC) inspections. Anomalies
Software Quality Assurance A list of known ECDIS anomalies is included
Ship owners and operators need to ensure in MSC.1/Circ.1503. Due to the complex
careful management and regular nature of ECDIS, and because it involves a
maintenance of both ECDIS hardware and mix of hardware, software and data, it is
software. MSC.1/Circ.1503 offers guidance possible (but considered not likely) that
on maintenance of ECDIS software and further undetected anomalies may exist. The
identifies the need to keep ECDIS updated to existence of anomalies highlights the
meet the current International Hydrographic importance of maintaining ECDIS software to
Organization (IHO) standards. ensure the correct display of electronic
navigational charts.
The IHO published new editions of the S-52,
S-63, and S-64 standards in August 2015. To help understand the extent of these
The following IHO standards apply to all anomalies, navigating officers are
newly installed ECDIS equipment: encouraged to report any such anomalies,
including specific details regarding fitted
Edition 6.1 of Publication S-52 equipment, to their flag State authority.
Specification for Chart Content and
Display Aspects of ECDIS

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ECDIS Data Presentation and nautical charts and nautical publications (see
STCW Code Table A-II/1). The definition of a
Performance Check dataset nautical chart in SOLAS V/2 includes a
The IHO has produced an ECDIS Data special-purpose map or book, or a specially
Presentation and Performance Check compiled database. This includes ENCs and
procedure. There are two separate RNCs, relating to the use of ECDIS. All
procedures which depend on the Edition of masters and officers in charge of a
IHO Presentation Library loaded on the navigational watch on ECDIS-fitted ships who
ECDIS. The procedures are available on the commenced an approved education and
IHO website. training program before 1 July 2013 will need
to have undertaken approved ECDIS training.
Chart Carriage Requirements
The International Convention for the Safety of
Port State Control inspections
Life at Sea (SOLAS) Chapter V Regulation 27 AMSAs PSC Inspectors focus on how ships
states that all nautical charts necessary for meet the SOLAS requirements for chart
the intended voyage shall be adequate and carriage and the safe and effective conduct of
up to date. navigation tasks. PSC Inspectors may take
account of ECDIS-related issues including:
For ships using ECDIS to meet the chart
ECDIS equipment is appropriately
carriage requirement of SOLAS, all ENCs
recorded in the Record of Equipment
(and any Raster Navigation Chart (RNCs)
Safety Equipment Certificate
must be of the latest available edition and be
kept up to date. listing of ECDIS as critical equipment in
the Safety Management System (SMS)
Mode of ECDIS operation
documented procedures and instructions
ECDIS may be operated in one of two modes: for the use of ECDIS are included in the
SMS and that they are understood by all
1. ECDIS mode when ENCs are used; officers responsible for navigation
or
2. Raster Chart Display System (RCDS) ECDIS type approval certificate, confirming
mode, when suitable ENCs are not compliance with relevant IMO performance
available and (RNC) are used instead. standard and the International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) test
RCDS mode does not have the same standard
functionality as ECDIS mode and can only be ECDIS software is maintained to the
used together with an appropriate folio of up latest applicable IHO standards
to date paper charts. MSC.1/Circ.1503
provides guidance on the limitations of use of latest edition official ENCs,
operating ECDIS in RCDS mode. updated and corrected to the latest
available updates and notices to
All Australian waters are covered by ENCs mariners
and therefore ECDIS should not be operated
adequate independent back-up
in RCDS mode in these waters. Where lack of
arrangements (as detailed on the Record
ENC coverage requires navigation in RCDS
of Equipment), ensuring the vessel can
mode, mariners should critically consider the
be safely navigated for the remainder of
implications of not having a look-ahead
the voyage in the event of an ECDIS
capability when in this mode.
failure
ECDIS training requirements approved ECDIS generic training has
The International Convention on the been undertaken by the master and
Standards of Training, Certification and officers in charge of a navigational watch
Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), master and navigating officers are
requires all officers who carry out navigational familiar with the operation of the ECDIS
tasks to be appropriately trained. All officers equipment fitted and can demonstrate
in charge of a navigational watch must have operational competency
a thorough knowledge of and ability to use

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 conformance and alignment with input Availability of related
from sensors (e.g. position fixing system,
information
gyro compass and speed and distance
measuring device) and presentation of General information and FAQs on
such information on the ECDIS display ECDIS:
http://www.amsa.gov.au/navigation/reso
evidence of periodic tests and checks of
urces/ecdis/
the ECDIS carried out in accordance with
the SMS and manufacturers IHO check dataset and instructions:
requirements https://www.iho.int/srv1/index.php?optio
n=com_content&view=article&id=585:ne
ECDIS planning and monitoring settings
ws&catid=166:1news-
are appropriate to the ships dimensions
links&Itemid=287&lang=en
and area of operations (e.g. cross track
limit, safety depth and safety contour). IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1503:
ECDIS flow charts and Download from www.imo.org
Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQs) 1. Click on Our Work

A set of ECDIS flow charts and FAQs are 2. Click on Circulars

available on AMSAs website. The flow charts 3. Click on Browse Circulars publically
assist PSC inspectors in assessing the available at IMODOCS (Note register for
carriage requirement and use of ECDIS on a free Public Account)
board. PSC Inspectors consider all relevant
circumstances, including steps taken to
reduce risk and improve safety, when
assessing ECDIS deficiencies and
appropriate remedial actions.

AMSAs FAQs on ECDIS provides Gary Prosser

information on regulatory matters, charting, Deputy Chief Executive Officer
software and training. May 2017

Australian Maritime Safety Authority

GPO Box 2181
CANBERRA ACT 2601
File: 2016/1570

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