29 As an initial step, shipowners and operators should undertake an assessment of the
issues involved in changing from paper chart to ECDIS navigation. Ships' masters and
deck officers should participate in any such assessment so as to capture any practical
concerns or needs of those that would be required to use ECDIS. Such a process will help
facilitate an early understanding of any issues to be addressed and will aid masters and
deck officers prepare for change.
30 Documenting the assessment of issues, combined with the development of
ECDIS standard operating procedures, will help lead to the adoption of robust ECDIS
navigation practices, simplification of masters and deck officers' training and
facilitate smooth handovers.
31 In addition, shipowners and operators should ensure that their ships'
masters and deck officers are provided with a generic ECDIS training and an ECDIS
familiarization programme so that the ships' masters and deck officers fully understand
the use of ECDIS for passage planning and navigation.
32 In addition to national and international rules and regulations, IMO model
course 1.27 on Operational Use of Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems
(ECDIS) and IMO performance standards, IHO has published an online publication "Facts
about electronic charts and carriage requirements". It is a recommended source of
information on ECDIS hardware, training and the technical aspects of electronic chart
data. Copies are available free of charge from various sources including www.iho.int
33 Shipowners and operators should always refer to their national
Administrations for the latest information on ECDIS carriage and use.