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ECDIS: Electronic Chart Solution
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Discontinued Products

Guidelines for JRC Maintenance support

What is ECDIS?
Charts / Training
JRC Solutions

What is ECDIS?

ECDIS is an acronym for “Electronic Chart Display and Information System”, which is a computer based system for displaying charts and navigational data. The term, ‘ECDIS’ is used solely for those chart systems that comply with IMO (International Maritime Organization) recommendations.

ECDIS is a computer-based navigation system that complies with IMO regulations and can function as an alternative for paper navigation charts. One of the performance standards is to have ENCs installed for the intended voyage.

After hundreds of years of sailing with paper charts, merchant-shipping fleets will make a transition to digital navigation in little more than 20 years. The JRC ECDIS’s may, if flag state/class society approves, be used as the primary source of navigational information in place of paper charts.

A New Approach

Probably the biggest change is the ENC’s used inside an ECDIS, representing a new approach to navigation. As opposed to a paper reference, an ENC is a key component for ECDIS navigation, assisting in navigational decision-making and situational awareness as it’s able to continuously indicate a vessel’s position relative to land, objects, hazards and more.

ECDIS units are connected to onboard navigation systems such as, GPS, Gyrocompass and depth sounders to provide real-time data to the chart displayed on the screen. By expanding the ECDIS interface to include the radar and AIS; radar overlay, ARPA and AIS targets can also be displayed.

It would appear that the ECDIS is replacing the traditional paper chart for navigation, however a back up ECDIS is always required and some authorities insist on paper charts. It is always prudent to check with the relevant authorities on ECDIS carriage requirements.

IMO Carriage Requirements

The legislation will be phased by vessel type and size and will eventually apply to almost all large merchant and passenger ships. Use below timetable to determine which of your vessel(s) will be affected and when:

Note that vessels may be free from installing ECDIS when they will be permanently out-of-service within 2 years after the implementation date.

Back-up

A single ECDIS does not normally qualify for compliance for paperless sailing. It is a normal requirement to have ECDIS back up with a second ECDIS, chart radar or paper charts.

Sensor

An ECDIS must be directly connected to an electronic positioning system, gyro and log sensor. When no gyro is available, the ECDIS should be connected to the ship’s Transmitting Heading Device (THD).

UPS

An UPS may also be required due to possible blackout during switchover from vessels mains to emergency power source.

Charts

There are two types of electronic charts - vector and raster charts.

When ENCs are not available

In order to sail paperless, ENC’s are required as primary source of navigation. RNC may be used in ECDIS in areas where ENC’s are not (yet) available. If ECDIS is using RNC’s, this must be together with an appropriate portfolio of up-todate paper charts.

ENC to SENC

The JRC ECDIS converts each ENC from S-57/63 ENC format into an internal format called System-ENC or SENC, a process to optimize chart display. SENC delivery is an alternative method to the standard distribution and use of official ENC data. Users are able to directly receive SENC1, a conversion which otherwise would have to happen inside the ECDIS.

Charts inside JRC

All new JRC ECDIS’s come standard (ex-factory) with Admiralty’s pre-loaded range of (official) global ENC’s and ready for ARCS and C-Map’s Ed.3 with e-Token driver.

About AVCS

All new JRC ECDIS’s will be preloaded in the factory with all AVCS (Admiralty Vector Chart Service) charts.

JRC and UKHO offer this integrated service with direct access to the UKHO portfolio of ENCs, making it easier to obtain the data required for passage planning and voyage execution. The JRC’s ECDIS JAN-901B/701B/2000 series offer seafarers a great value in bridge technology, delivering seamless access to navigational data.

Training

ECDIS is a total change from paper charts, therefore key to implementation is training. The master, first officer and other watchkeeping bridge officers should, as a minimum, undertake a generic ECDIS training course. In addition some authorities and/or class societies require a type-specific ECDIS course together with regular updated training.

Current IMO Standards for Training, Certification and Watch-keeping (STCW) is written around paper charts, but ECDIS is considered to be included under the term “chart”. From 1 January 2012, the new STCW will include mandatory ECDIS training. The ISM code has strict wording on training, referring to the training of users of safetyrelated equipment, such as ECDIS.

JRC is working together with various dedicated training establishments that provide both generic and JRC type-specific courses, in addition to other training courses. JRC continues to increase our ECDIS training partners globally.