3.8.18 Onboard Familiarisation

For vessels with ECDIS as primary means of navigation, NAV 16(ECDIS Type-Specific Familiarisation Checklist) must be completed by on-signing officers during the handover period.

The Master and deck officers must be familiar with the operation of the ECDIS and able to demonstrate the operation of the ECDIS including, but not limited to:-

· Creating and uploading passage plans;

· Recalling previous voyages;

· Route checking and management of alarms;

· Plotting manual fixes ( visual bearing and radar range);

· Creating parallel index lines;

· Setting safety depths and safety contours as appropriate to the draught of the   vessel;

· Setting of Safety frame/safety cone;

· Ensuring system is updated to the latest corrections;

· AIS and or Radar overlay if fitted;

· Understanding of limitations of operating in RCDS mode;

· Knowledge of SCAMIN and how it is displayed;

· Knowledge of CATZOCs;

· Contingency action in case of ECDIS failure.

3.8.19 Contingency Planning

No electronic system is completely fail-safe. IMO Performance Standards therefore require that the “overall system” include both a primary ECDIS and adequate independent back-up arrangement that provides:

• Independent facilities enabling a safe take-over of the ECDIS functions in order to ensure that a system failure does not result in a critical situation; and

• A means to provide for safe navigation for the remaining part of the voyage in case of ECDIS failure.

To meet these requirements, there are two commonly accepted options:

• A second ECDIS, connected to an independent power supply and a separate GPS position input;

• An appropriate up-to-date folio of official paper charts for the intended voyage.

Some Flag States may permit other options (e.g. radar-based systems such as ‘Chart-Radar’).

If GPS sensors fail to provide position fixing input to theECDIS, navigation officers must be fully ready and practiced in carrying out position plotting directly onto the ECDIS using traditional position fixing methods, for example visual bearings, radar ranges, radar bearings and transits or terrestrial radio aids to navigation (i.e. Loran-C). The validity of this position must be monitored using the ECDIS Radar Image Overlay (RIO) if available, which shouldreveal any positional error by dislocation of the RIO from the corresponding land feature. Gyro and speed log inputs also simplify the production of a Dead Reckoning position. In tidal waters, careful application of tidal streams is needed to maintain a valid Estimated Position. Suitably frequent re-fixes will be required.

In the event of failure of any piece of Bridge equipment, the Master is to be immediately advised. The Master is then to issue clear instructions in the Master’s Bridge Order Book on procedures to be followed until the equipment can be restored to operation.

Equipment that cannot be rectified by ship’s staff must be reported to the ManagementOffice without delay.

There is a risk with ECDIS that navigators may become dependent on monitoring, to the extent that when a sensor failsthey will be hesitant to return to first principles to deal with the situation. Only through training, in-depth knowledge of ECDIS and its integrated electronic systems and a defined procedure for sensory failure, can the navigator expect to effectively deal with input failures to ECDIS.