What Is ECDIS & Its Functions?

At the turn of the twentieth century, ships still relied on paper charts, just as they had for hundreds of years. At the time, sailors could not imagine this fundamental tradition would change. Less than 20 years later, every important voyage was equipped with an Electronic Chart Display and Information System. Mariners quickly became familiar with the system, but new or amateur navigators might not know anything about it. The most pressing question for these people is “What is an Electronic Chart Display and Information System?”

What is an Electronic Chart Display and Information System?

An Electronic Chart Display and Information System is a dedicated digital navigation computer that replaces paper maps. It stores a collection of electronic navigation charts (ENCs) and/or raster charts that display all the geographic information the crew needs to complete a flight. However, an Electronic Chart Display and Information System is more than just a digital replacement for traditional maps.

Electronic Chart Display and Information System maps often contain more information than previous navigation tools and automate many basic functions. For example, the navigator’s burden is much lighter due to automatic route planning and monitoring. In the past, course corrections would consume a lot of the navigator’s time, but with an effective Electronic Chart Display and Information System, this is now a thing of the past. The accuracy, consistency, and reliability of electronic navigation contribute to safety, efficiency, and profitability.

How does ECDIS work?

ECDIS works by integrating powerful, specialized electronic navigation software with a host of modern navigation tools, including devices such as GPS, radar, the Defense Advanced Research Agency (ARPA), and many others. You can use the ECDIS system to access information from these sources, check tide tables, and verify nearly all relevant navigation information.

By using ENC, the ECDIS system ensures accurate depth information and provides early warning of potential hazards along the way. The crew can get more accurate information by calculating and inputting numbers such as squat and pulling the vessel closer to the seafloor. This information feeds into many other automated features, providing highly accurate road safety judgments and automatic safety warnings.

Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC)

The exact capabilities of an electronic navigation system depend on the type of charts currently in use by the vessel. When a vessel deploys the latest electronic navigational charts, it has a full suite of information, automation, and safety features. However, there are times when it is necessary to use raster charts, which do not offer as many features.

The Electronic Navigation Chart, or Vector Chart, is the basic chart type used by the Electronic Navigation System (ECDIS). It is a fully modern digital chart containing all electronic navigation features. The PC version has a wealth of additional data and features, such as depth alarms and customizable visuals.

Users can turn specific ENC features on and off as needed and access more information about an area or feature anytime. Elements can also be collapsed to take advantage of a clearer and more extensive visual interface. In general, electronic charts make navigation easier and more efficient.

Raster Charts

While ENC charts fully integrate the computer capabilities of the ECDIS, ECDIS raster charts are simpler. Chart makers scan paper charts to store them electronically. When you use a dot chart, you do not get any extra features or features compared to a paper chart.

It works like uploading and viewing an image on a computer or mobile phone. All text data and charts are always visible, and zooming in or out will affect every part of the chart equally. In addition, rotating the chart will rotate the text and images. Sometimes, it is impossible to have ENC charts during a flight, and you then need to augment them with spot and/or paper charts.

Advantages of ECDIS

While ECDIS is imperfect, it has many advantages over traditional paper charts.

Real-time Information Processing

While humans have many advantages over computers, they cannot work as tirelessly and accurately as computers. Therefore, one of the main advantages of ECDIS is its ability to process and display data continuously in real-time. As long as the hardware and software are working properly and the end user provides the correct input, the accuracy and output of the ECDIS system will always be correct. Precision at every step of the journey brings many tangible benefits and significantly impacts the shipping industry.

ECDIS Enhances Safety

The losses can seem incalculable when a ship runs aground and needs repairs. In addition to the cost of repairs, idle time also results in significant revenue losses. In the worst-case scenario, the human consequences and the potential for infection and death are unbearable by providing accurate, real-time data.

Electronic navigation systems enhance safety.

The losses can seem incalculable when a ship runs aground and needs repairs. In addition to the cost of repairs, idle time can also result in significant revenue losses. In the worst-case scenario, the human consequences and the potential for infection and death are unbearable. Electronic navigation systems go a long way in protecting people and profits by providing accurate, real-time journey data.

Maximizing profits

Traditional navigation requires a certain margin of error to accommodate the lowest possible level of accuracy. Excessive margins of error represent many forms of lost profits, such as:

Carrying far fewer containers than are required to ensure a safe journey.

Travelling through a route that is much longer than necessary.

Causing scheduling difficulties due to inaccurate arrival times.

Vessels using electronic navigation systems can calculate these and other factors more accurately and continuously update available data. As a result, electronic navigation reduces the risk of loss and increases the possibility of improved profits.

Increasing ease and efficiency of operation

Manual course corrections, hazard checks, and navigation-related aspects are unsuitable for human operators because they require constant vigilance. When navigators relied on charts and manual tools, much of their time was spent on mentally exhausting tasks that required great attention to detail. Getting their work done required much effort to organize and find information before they could act.

While modern navigators still need these skills, the spread of ECDIS relieves them of a huge burden. Digital navigation equipment automatically collects easy-to-find information. In addition, the annoying work of correcting charts is eliminated. Direct interaction with AIS, echo sounders, ARPA, and other tools also saves time and improves information clarity. Now that sailors are freed from the work of pen, they can devote more time and energy to the brain’s work.

Navigators can also access more information in greater detail than ever before. When your ECDIS system uses electronic navigation charts, you can highlight features for a deeper understanding. Even in simple raster charts, zoom and rotate functions improve clarity and ease of use.

Disadvantages of e-navigation

Only trustworthy if the data is reliable

It’s easy to get too comfortable when new technology solutions are correct 99.99% of the time. However, any machine can fail, and human error can lead to misreading. In 2020, the Seatruck Performance ferry ran aground and was out of service for 3 weeks. The reason was that they didn’t go into a squat when using the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) to draw the flight chart. While e-navigation is amazing, this complacency can become fatal.

Leading to over-reliance on crew

Crews mustn’t assume that the extra work the EIS does translates into time off. E-navigation has created many unique new business forms for operating equipment. Not only is it important to ensure that the system is working properly, but it’s also important to have a fail-safe solution to provide redundancy. This could be a second system or the paper charts the vessel uses to complete the voyage.

Update requirements

While software updates for electronic information display systems are very easy, especially compared to replacing paper charts, hardware upgrades are also important. It’s easy to avoid new expenses based on the existing system that’s working well. However, as electronic navigational charts’ capabilities increase, so do their technical requirements. Using outdated hardware will reduce efficiency and could ultimately risk a vessel’s ability to complete a voyage.

ECDIS System Updates

There are several ways to update the software and electronic charts on an ECDIS system:

Using physical media such as DVDs.

Downloading from the Internet. (Sign up for a free trial of SPICA Electronic Navigation Software to order and download ENC charts)

Satellite communications attachments you receive via email.

You can also receive updates via satellite communications broadcast messages if you have equipment that supports this process.

ECDIS Loading Requirements

International bodies regulating ocean travel require certain ships to carry Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) charts. Older ships may have exemptions, but new ships launched after a certain date must be equipped with exemptions.

The following ships cannot legally sail on international voyages unless they use ECDIS:

• Passenger ships of 500 tons or more completed after June 30, 2012.
• Oil tankers of 3,000 tons or more completed after June 30, 2012.
• Cargo ships of 3,000 tons to 10,000 tons completed after June 30, 2014.
• Cargo ships of 1,000 tons or more completed after June 30, 2013.
• Passenger ships of 500 tons or more were completed before July 1, 2012, and were first inspected after June 30, 2014.
• Oil tankers of 3,000 tonnes or more were completed before 1 July 2012 and inspected after 30 June 2015.
• Cargo ships of 10,000 to 20,000 tonnes completed before 1 July 2014 and before 1 July 2013 and first inspected after 30 June 2018.
• Cargo ships of 20,000 to 50,000 tonnes were constructed before 1 July 2013 and inspected after 30 June 2017.
• Cargo ships of 50,000 tonnes or more completed before 1 July 2013 and first inspected after 30 June 2016.

IMO, ECDIS Performance Standards

IMO emphasizes that the primary function of ECDIS is to improve navigation safety. To this end, the company maintains the following performance standards for manufacturers and end users:

The system must have adequate redundancy mechanisms and up-to-date solutions to comply with the provisions of Regulation V/20 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention.

The shipboard radio regulations associated with IMO Resolution A.694 apply to electronic chart displays and information systems.

The system should display all map information necessary for safe and efficient navigation by the government-approved hydrographic office.

Easy and reliable software updates are a must.

ECDIS systems must be able to plot the ship’s position continuously and perform all route planning, tracking, and positioning operations just like paper charts.

Electronic navigation charts and the systems that use them must have the same visual usability as paper charts.

ECDIS systems must include alarms or risk indicators, errors and other relevant information.

ECDIS Training and Acquisition

The human factor always plays a vital role in the success of a trip. To operate an ECDIS, you must find an institution that offers the appropriate training courses. Deck students are usually qualified and will learn to use an ECDIS in an intensive five-day course.