Training and Assessment in the Operational Use of Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS)
Clasification Society 2023 - Version 9.37

Training and Assessment in the Operational Use of Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS)

Introduction

36 When simulators are being used for training or assessment in the operational use of Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS), the following interim guidance should be taken into consideration in any such training or assessment.

37 Training and assessment in the operational use of the ECDIS should:

  • .1 incorporate the use of ECDIS simulation equipment; and

  • .2 conform to standards not inferior to those given in paragraphs 38 to 65 below.

38 ECDIS simulation equipment should, in addition to meeting all applicable performance standards set out in section A-I/12 of the STCW Code, as amended, be capable of simulating navigational equipment and bridge operational controls which meet all applicable performance standards adopted by the Organization, incorporate facilities to generate soundings and:

  • .1 create a real-time operating environment, including navigation control and communications instruments and equipment appropriate to the navigation and watchkeeping tasks to be carried out and the manoeuvring skills to be assessed; and

  • .2 realistically simulate “own ship” characteristics in open-water conditions, as well as the effects of weather, tidal stream and currents.

39 Demonstrations of, and practice in, ECDIS use should be undertaken, where appropriate, through the use of simulators. Training exercises should preferably be undertaken in real time, in order to increase trainees’ awareness of the hazards of the improper use of ECDIS. Accelerated timescale may be used only for demonstrations.

General

Goals of an ECDIS training programme

40 The ECDIS trainee should be able to:

  • .1 operate the ECDIS equipment, use the navigational functions of ECDIS, select and assess all relevant information and take proper action in the case of a malfunction;

  • .2 state the potential errors of displayed data and the usual errors of interpretation; and

  • .3 explain why ECDIS should not be relied upon as the sole reliable aid to navigation.

Theory and demonstration

41 As the safe use of ECDIS requires knowledge and understanding of the basic principles governing ECDIS data and their presentation rules as well as potential errors in displayed data and ECDIS-related limitations and potential dangers, a number of lectures covering the theoretical explanation should be provided. As far as possible, such lessons should be presented within a familiar context and make use of practical examples. They should be reinforced during simulator exercises.

42 For safe operation of ECDIS equipment and ECDIS-related information (use of the navigational functions of ECDIS, selection and assessment of all relevant information, becoming familiar with ECDIS man–machine interfacing), practical exercises and training on the ECDIS simulators should constitute the main content of the course.

43 For the definition of training objectives, a structure of activities should be defined. A detailed specification of learning objectives should be developed for each topic of this structure.

Simulator exercises

44 Exercises should be carried out on individual ECDIS simulators, or full-mission navigation simulators including ECDIS, to enable trainees to acquire the necessary practical skills. For real-time navigation exercises, navigation simulators are recommended to cover the complex navigation situation. The exercises should provide training in the use of the various scales, navigational modes, and display modes which are available, so that the trainees will be able to adapt the use of the equipment to the particular situation concerned.

45 The choice of exercises and scenarios is governed by the simulator facilities available. If one or more ECDIS workstations and a full-mission simulator are available, the workstations may primarily be used for basic exercises in the use of ECDIS facilities and for passage-planning exercises, whereas full-mission simulators may primarily be used for exercises related to passage-monitoring functions in real time, as realistic as possible in connection with the total workload of a navigational watch. The degree of complexity of exercises should increase throughout the training programme until the trainee has mastered all aspects of the learning subject.

46 Exercises should produce the greatest impression of realism. To achieve this, the scenarios should be located in a fictitious sea area. Situations, functions and actions for different learning objectives which occur in different sea areas can be integrated into one exercise and experienced in real time.

47 The main objective of simulator exercises is to ensure that trainees understand their responsibilities in the operational use of ECDIS in all safety-relevant aspects and are thoroughly familiar with the system and equipment used.

Principal types of ECDIS systems and their display characteristics

48 The trainee should gain knowledge of the principal types of ECDIS in use; their various display characteristics, data structure and an understanding of:

  • .1 differences between vector and raster charts;

  • .2 differences between ECDIS and ECS;

  • .3 differences between ECDIS and RCDSfootnote;

  • .4 characteristics of ECDIS and their different solutions; and

  • .5 characteristics of systems (for special purposes (unusual situations/emergencies).

Risks of over-reliance on ECDIS

49 The training in ECDIS operational use should address:

  • .1 the limitations of ECDIS as a navigational tool;

  • .2 potential risk of improper functioning of the system;

  • .3 system limitations, including those of its sensors;

  • .4 hydrographic data inaccuracy; limitations of vector and raster electronic charts (ECDIS vs RCDS and ENC vs RNC); and

  • .5 potential risk of human errors.

Emphasis should be placed on the need to keep a proper look-out and to perform periodical checking, especially of the ship’s position, by ECDIS-independent methods.

Detection of misrepresentation of information

50 Knowledge of the limitations of the equipment and detection of misrepresentation of information is essential for the safe use of ECDIS. The following factors should be emphasized during training:

  • .1 performance standards of the equipment;

  • .2 radar data representation on an electronic chart, elimination of discrepancy between the radar image and the electronic chart;

  • .3 possible projection discrepancies between an electronic and paper charts;

  • .4 possible scale discrepancies (overscaling and underscaling) in displaying an electronic chart and its original scale;

  • .5 effects of using different reference systems for positioning;

  • .6 effects of using different horizontal and vertical datums;

  • .7 effects of the motion of the ship in a seaway;

  • .8 ECDIS limitations in raster chart display mode;

  • .9 potential errors in the display of:

    • .9.1 the own ship’s position;

    • .9.2 radar data and ARPA and AIS information;

    • .9.3 different geodetic coordinate systems; and

  • .10 verification of the results of manual or automatic data correction:

    • .10.1 comparison of chart data and radar picture; and

    • .10.2 checking the own ship’s position by using the other independent position-fixing systems.

51 False interpretation of the data and proper action taken to avoid errors of interpretation should be explained. The implications of the following should be emphasized:

  • .1 ignoring overscaling of the display;

  • .2 uncritical acceptance of the own ship’s position;

  • .3 confusion of display mode;

  • .4 confusion of chart scale;

  • .5 confusion of reference systems;

  • .6 different modes of presentation;

  • .7 different modes of vector stabilization;

  • .8 differences between true north and gyro north (radar);

  • .9 using the same data reference system;

  • .10 using the appropriate chart scale;

  • .11 using the best-suited sensor to the given situation and circumstances;

  • .12 entering the correct values of safety data:

    • .12.1 the own ship’s safety contour,

    • .12.2 safety depth (safe water), and

    • .12.3 events; and

  • .13 proper use of all available data.

52 Appreciation that RCDS is only a navigational aid and that, when operating in the RCDS mode, the ECDIS equipment should be used together with an appropriate portfolio of up-to-date paper charts:

  • .1 appreciation of the differences in operation of RCDS mode as described in SN.1/Circ.207/Rev.1 “Differences between RCDS and ECDIS”; and

  • .2 ECDIS, in any mode, should be used in training with an appropriate portfolio of up-to-date charts.

Factors affecting system performance and accuracy

53 An elementary understanding should be attained of the principles of ECDIS, together with a full practical knowledge of:

  • .1 starting and setting up ECDIS; connecting data sensors: satellite and radio navigation system receivers, radar, gyro-compass, log, echo-sounder; accuracy and limitations of these sensors, including effects of measurement errors and ship’s position accuracy, manoeuvring on the accuracy of course indicator’s performance, compass error on the accuracy of course indication, shallow water on the accuracy of log performance, log correction on the accuracy of speed calculation, disturbance (sea state) on the accuracy of an echo-sounder performance; and

  • .2 the current performance standards for electronic chart display and information systems adopted by the Organizationfootnote.

Practice

Setting up and maintaining display

54 Knowledge and skills should be attained in:

  • .1 the correct starting procedure to obtain the optimum display of ECDIS information;

  • .2 the selection of display presentation (standard display, display base, all other information displayed individually on demand);

  • .3 the correct adjustment of all variable radar/ARPA display controls for optimum display of data;

  • .4 the selection of convenient configuration;

  • .5 the selection, as appropriate, of required speed input to ECDIS;

  • .6 the selection of the timescale of vectors; and

  • .7 performance checks of position, radar/ARPA, compass, speed input sensors and ECDIS.

Operational use of electronic charts

55 Knowledge and skills should be attained in:

  • .1 the main characteristics of the display of ECDIS data and selecting proper information for navigational tasks;

  • .2 the automatic functions required for monitoring ship’s safety, such as display of position, heading/gyro course, speed, safety values and time;

  • .3 the manual functions (by the cursor, electronic bearing line, range rings);

  • .4 selecting and modification of electronic chart content;

  • .5 scaling (including underscaling and overscaling);

  • .6 zooming;

  • .7 setting of the own ship’s safety data;

  • .8 using a daytime or night-time display mode;

  • .9 reading all chart symbols and abbreviations;

  • .10 using different kinds of cursors and electronic bars for obtaining navigational data;

  • .11 viewing an area in different directions and returning to the ship’s position;

  • .12 finding the necessary area, using geographical coordinates;

  • .13 displaying indispensable data layers appropriate to a navigational situation;

  • .14 selecting appropriate and unambiguous data (position, course, speed, etc.);

  • .15 entering the mariner’s notes;

  • .16 using north-up orientation presentation and other kinds of orientation; and

  • .17 using true- and relative-motion modes.

Route planning

56 Knowledge and skills should be attained in:

  • .1 loading the ship’s characteristics into ECDIS;

  • .2 selection of a sea area for route planning:

    • .2.1 reviewing required waters for the sea passage, and

    • .2.2 changing over of chart scale;

  • .3 verifying that proper and updated charts are available;

  • .4 route planning on a display by means of ECDIS, using the graphic editor, taking into consideration rhumb line and great-circle sailing:

    • .4.1 using the ECDIS database for obtaining navigational, hydro-meteorological and other data;

    • .4.2 taking into consideration turning radius and wheel-over points/lines when they are expressed on chart scale;

    • .4.3 marking dangerous depths and areas and exhibiting guarding depth contours;

    • .4.4 marking waypoints with the crossing depth contours and critical cross-track deviations, as well as by adding, replacing and erasing of waypoints;

    • .4.5 taking into consideration safe speed;

    • .4.6 checking pre-planned route for navigational safety; and

    • .4.7 generating alarms and warnings;

  • .5 route planning with calculation in the table format, including:

    • .5.1 waypoints selection;

    • .5.2 recalling the waypoints list;

    • .5.3 planning notes;

    • .5.4 adjustment of a planned route;

    • .5.5 checking a pre-planned route for navigational safety;

    • .5.6 alternative route planning;

    • .5.7 saving planned routes, loading and unloading or deleting routes;

    • .5.8 making a graphic copy of the monitor screen and printing a route;

    • .5.9 editing and modification of the planned route;

    • .5.10 setting of safety values according to the size and manoeuvring parameters of the vessel;

    • .5.11 back-route planning; and

    • .5.12 connecting several routes.

Route monitoring

57 Knowledge and skills should be attained in:

  • .1 using independent data to control ship’s position or using alternative systems within ECDIS;

  • .2 using the look-ahead function:

    • .2.1 changing charts and their scales;

    • .2.2 reviewing navigational charts;

    • .2.3 vector time selecting;

    • .2.4 predicting the ship’s position for some time interval;

    • .2.5 changing the pre-planned route (route modification);

    • .2.6 entering independent data for the calculation of wind drift and current allowance;

    • .2.7 reacting properly to the alarm;

    • .2.8 entering corrections for discrepancies of the geodetic datum;

    • .2.9 displaying time markers on a ship’s route;

    • .2.10 entering ship’s position manually; and

    • .2.11 measuring coordinates, course, bearings and distances on a chart.

Alarm handling

58 Knowledge and ability to interpret and react properly to all kinds of systems, such as navigational sensors, indicators, data and charts alarms and indicator warnings, including, switching the sound and visual alarm signalling system, should be attained in case of:

  • .1 absence of the next chart in the ECDIS database;

  • .2 crossing a safety contour;

  • .3 exceeding cross-track limits;

  • .4 deviation from planned route;

  • .5 approaching a waypoint;

  • .6 approaching a critical point;

  • .7 discrepancy between calculated and actual time of arrival to a waypoint;

  • .8 information on under-scaling or over-scaling;

  • .9 approaching an isolated navigational danger or danger area;

  • .10 crossing a specified area;

  • .11 selecting a different geodetic datum;

  • .12 approaching other ships;

  • .13 watch termination;

  • .14 switching timer;

  • .15 system test failure;

  • .16 malfunctioning of the positioning system used in ECDIS;

  • .17 failure of dead-reckoning; and

  • .18 inability to fix vessel’s position using the navigational system.

Manual correction of a ship’s position and motion parameters

59 Knowledge and skills should be attained in manually correcting:

  • .1 the ship’s position in dead-reckoning mode, when the satellite and radio navigation system receiver is switched off;

  • .2 the ship’s position, when automatically obtained coordinates are inaccurate; and

  • .3 course and speed values.

Records in the ship’s log

60 Knowledge and skills should be attained in

  • .1 automatic voyage recording;

  • .2 reconstruction of past track, taking into account:

    • .2.1 recording media;

    • .2.2 recording intervals;

    • .2.3 verification of database in use;

  • .3 viewing records in the electronic ship’s log;

  • .4 instant recording in the electronic ship’s log;

  • .5 changing ship’s time;

  • .6 entering the additional data;

  • .7 printing the content of the electronic ship’s log;

  • .8 setting up the automatic record time intervals;

  • .9 composition of voyage data and reporting; and

  • .10 interface with a voyage data recorder (VDR).

Chart updating

61 Knowledge and skills should be attained in:

  • .1 performing manual updating of electronic charts. Special attention should be paid to reference-ellipsoid conformity and to conformity of the measurement units used on a chart and in the correction text;

  • .2 performing semi-automatic updating of electronic charts, using the data obtained on electronic media in the electronic chart format; and

  • .3 performing automatic updating of electronic charts, using update files obtained via electronic data communication lines.

In the scenarios where non-updated data are employed to create a critical situation, trainees should be required to perform ad hoc updating of the chart.

Operational use of ECDIS where radar/ARPA is connected

62 Knowledge and skills should be attained in:

  • .1 connecting ARPA to ECDIS

  • .2 indicating target’s speed vectors;

  • .3 indicating target’s tracks;

  • .4 archiving target’s tracks;

  • .5 viewing the table of the targets;

  • .6 checking alignment of radar overlay with charted geographic features;

  • .7 simulating one or more manoeuvres;

  • .8 corrections to own ship’s position, using a reference point captured by ARPA; and

  • .9 corrections using the ARPA’s cursor and electronic bar.

See also section B-I/12, Guidance regarding the use of simulators (pertaining to radar and ARPA), especially paragraphs 17 to 19 and 36 to 38.

Operational use of ECDIS where AIS is connected

63 Knowledge and skills should be attained in:

  • .1 interface with AIS;

  • .2 interpretation of AIS data;

  • .3 indicating target’s speed vectors;

  • .4 indicating target’s tracks; and

  • .5 archiving target’s tracks.

Operational warnings, their benefits and limitations

64 Trainees should gain an appreciation of the uses, benefits and limitations of ECDIS operational warnings and their correct setting, where applicable, to avoid spurious interference.

System operational tests

65 Knowledge and skills should be attained in:

  • .1 methods of testing for malfunctions of ECDIS, including functional self-testing;

  • .2 precautions to be taken after a malfunction occurs; and

  • .3 adequate back-up arrangements (take over and navigate using the back-up system).

Debriefing exercise

66 The instructor should analyze the results of all exercises completed by all trainees and print them out. The time spent on the debriefing should occupy between 10% and 15% of the total time used for simulator exercises.

Parent topic: Section B-I/12 Guidance regarding the use of simulators
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