1 Purpose
1.1 This document provides interim guidelines for the display of
navigation-related information received via communication equipment. It aims to
ensure that information is displayed in an efficient, reliable and consistent
format, in a manner that is easily interpreted to support decision-making.
1.2 These Guidelines supplement the Performance standards for the
presentation of navigation-related information on shipborne navigational
displays (resolution MSC.191(79)) in regard to the presentation of navigation
information received via communication equipment.
1.3 The use of these Guidelines will ensure that navigation information
received via communications equipment is displayed in a harmonized manner on the
ships' navigational bridge.
2 Scope
2.1 The availability of electronic data that enhances the safe and
efficient navigation of ships necessitates that shipborne systems capable of
presenting this information to the user should do so in a harmonized and readily
assimilated way.
2.2 This information will be presented to shipborne users through a
combination of primary navigational displays, such as the Electronic Chart Display
and Information System (ECDIS), radar and the Integrated Navigation System (INS),
together with any additional display facilities that may be considered appropriate
to assist the safe and efficient navigation of the ship.
2.3 Reception of Maritime Safety Information (MSI) by means of direct
printing has always been an important part of the Global Maritime Distress and
Safety System (GMDSS). However, it is clear from user requirements, such as those
gathered during the user needs analysis of e-navigation, that there is a need to
portray such information in a harmonized way on appropriate navigation displays.
2.4 To ensure effective decision-making and safe navigation, the proper
integration and presentation of information received via communication equipment is
essential.
3 Application
These Guidelines are applicable to the information obtained from, but not
limited to, communications equipment defined in the International Convention for the
Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, as amended.
4 General presentation requirements
4.1 Human-Centred Design (HCD)
4.1.1 The type and volume of information displayed should be appropriate
to the voyage phase and should not overload the user. Therefore, these Guidelines
should be read in conjunction with MSC.1/Circ.1512 in order to ensure that measures to prevent information
overload take into account relevant HCD principles.
4.1.2 The type and level of information displayed should complement the
user's capabilities and should take into consideration human factors principles as
specified in section 5 (see MSC.1/Circ.1512, annex, paragraph 6). Higher levels of integration mean
that systems should be carefully evaluated to ensure that complexity and workload
are compatible with the ability of the user (OOW).
4.1.3 In designing systems and equipment that will incorporate navigation
information received via communication equipment, due consideration should be given
to the ability of the operator to manage information. Any information received
requires careful prioritization based on HCD principles.
4.1.4 The receipt, display and use of navigation information received via
communication equipment should be tested by the user and incorporated into the HCD
process.
4.1.5 Navigation information received via communication equipment should
be manageable through the application of user preferences. The system should assist
the user in reducing clutter and in enhancing situational awareness.
4.1.6 The integration of navigation information received via
communication equipment should not distract from the user's primary task of
maintaining the safe navigation of the ship.
4.2 Display of information
4.2.1 Navigation information received via communication equipment should
be displayed in a timely, unambiguous and harmonized manner.
4.2.2 Navigation information received via communication equipment should
be displayed according to resolution MSC.191(79) and, if applicable, based on the relevant S-100
based Product Specification.
4.2.3 Information should, where applicable, be geo-located and integrated
with other navigation and charted information. Where possible, the graphical
geo-located display of areas, points, lines and other information received via
communication equipment should assist the user in developing greater situational
awareness.
4.2.4 The additional display of information from communication equipment
should not degrade the primary information on a particular display but contribute to
the overall navigational safety of the ship.
4.2.5 Data should be appropriately filtered according to the selected
scale/display range of the display. Only critical information should be displayed at
all ranges, if practicable.
4.2.6 The source of the received information should be readily
identifiable.
4.2.7 Where navigation information indicates a direct risk to the ship's
planned route and/or movement, the information should be indicated as an alert. This
may be determined based on the safety settings available within the electronic
navigation equipment such as ECDIS, radar or INS.
5 Functional requirements for presentation of information
5.1 General
Information that has been received by onboard communication equipment
should include an integrity testing process.
5.2 Data routing
5.2.1 The user should be able to route data to another display if fitted.
5.2.2 There should be a clear indication of the routing of data in use.
5.2.3 Routing should allow the user to route the data according to the
navigational situation and task.
5.3 Selection and filtering
5.3.1 Navigation information should be displayed in such a manner that
information overload is prevented. Selectable functions should be included to allow
for display of only the required information necessary for safe navigation and the
task at hand.
5.3.2 It should be possible to select and filter (categorize) information
and data received on board in accordance with urgency and sea area.
5.3.3 Information relevant to planned route and situation should be
identified using adequate filtering processes.
5.3.4 Means should be available enabling the user to select the
information needed for the current operational task and situation.
5.3.5 There should be a clear indication of the selection and filtering
parameters in use.
5.3.6 It should be possible to manually select the information for
automatic presentation on the navigational displays.
5.3.7 Information that presents a danger to safe navigation and requires
an alert should be identified.
5.4 Prioritization
It should be possible to prioritize information and data received on
board. This should be prioritized in accordance with urgency and sea area.
5.5 Indication of new information
An alert or indication should draw attention to the presence of new
and/or relevant information related to the ship's movements or operating area.
6 Presentation of navigation-related information
MSI or other geo-referenced locations impacting safety
6.1 New information should be indicated on a route planning, route
monitoring or collision avoidance display by an icon or symbol and an alert should
be given.
6.2 It should be possible to present additional information upon
selection (request) via pick-report functionality on ECDIS and radar displays or INS
tasks route monitoring, route planning and collision avoidance.
7 Operational display
7.1 General
7.1.1 Information received from communication equipment should not
obscure the primary information of an operational display.
7.1.2 The information received from communication equipment should be
clearly distinguishable as being additional information that has been added to the
display.
7.2 Possible additional display – INS task "navigation status and
data display" – or other means
7.2.1 The increasing amount of data received from communication equipment
may require an additional display on board.
7.2.2 Human-Machine-Interface (HMI) for displaying and evaluating
received information as well as for specifying filtering, routing and presentation
parameters (selection for presentation) should be considered.
7.2.3 The user should be able to view information items and their
filtering, routing and selection (presentation) properties.
7.2.4 The user should be able to edit the filtering, routing and
selection (presentation) properties of information items.