At its 106th session, the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) approved the revised MSC.1/Circ.1503/Rev.2, titled “The ECDIS – Guidance for Good Practice,” which is included as an annex to the MSC Circular, reports Maritime Port Authority Singapore.
ECDIS Traning
Masters and deck officers serving on ships equipped with an Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) are required to possess comprehensive knowledge and the ability to effectively use ECDIS for safe and efficient navigation. To meet this requirement, they must complete an approved generic ECDIS training course that satisfies the competency standards outlined in the 2010 Manila Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) and the STCW Code.
In addition to generic training, these officers must also undergo familiarization training to gain operational knowledge of the specific ECDIS model installed on their vessel. Resources provided by the ECDIS manufacturer, such as courses at shore-based training centers or e-learning modules (via DVD or similar means), may be accepted as part of this ECDIS familiarization training.
It is important to note that “trickle down” training, where one officer informs another onboard, is not considered acceptable. If familiarization training is conducted onboard, it must be properly structured, delivered by a dedicated officer, and cover all functionalities and the effective use of the specific ECDIS system. Documentation of the familiarization training provided to officers must be maintained within the ship’s safety management system.
If the generic ECDIS training is conducted ashore using the specific type and model of ECDIS installed on a ship, this training is acceptable for meeting both the generic and familiarization training requirements. In such cases, this should be documented on the ECDIS training certificate.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) accepts the carriage of Electronic Nautical Publications (ENPs), as required under SOLAS Regulations V/19.2.1.4 and V/27, in place of traditional paper charts. However, SOLAS Regulation V/19.2.1.5 further mandates that if ENPs are used to comply with these requirements, appropriate independent backup arrangements must be provided. It is important to note that publications intended for emergency use, such as the International Code of Signals and the IAMSAR Manual Volume III, must always be readily available in hard copy format.
When ENPs are used onboard, the following requirements must be met:
- a) The ENPs must be published by a hydrographic organization authorized by the Administration (e.g., the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office) or by an intergovernmental organization (e.g., IMO, ITU). b) The ENPs must be kept corrected and up-to-date, and there must be readily available means for making timely corrections. c) Appropriate independent backup arrangements for the ENPs must be in place. d) The ENPs from both the main and backup units must be accessible to the Officer of the Watch (OOW) on the bridge without any limitations. e) The computer system used for providing ENPs must be dedicated solely for this purpose and have an uninterrupted power supply from both the main and emergency power sources.
Port State Control
Given the critical role of ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System) and ENPs (Electronic Nautical Publications) in ensuring navigational safety, port State control officers may focus particularly on the following aspects (though this list is not exhaustive) related to ECDIS and ENPs during port State inspections:
- Appropriate Certification: Verification of relevant certifications (e.g., inclusion of ECDIS/ENPs in the record of equipment and certificate) to confirm compliance with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) performance standards for ECDIS.
- Up-to-date Charts and Publications: Confirmation that the latest edition and updated folio of electronic charts and ENPs required for the intended voyage are onboard and in use.
- Current Software: Verification of the latest and updated editions of the ECDIS software and any software used on the computer for viewing ENPs.
- Independent Backup Arrangements: Ensuring that appropriate independent backup arrangements for ECDIS and ENPs are in place and comply with the requirements of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).
- Documented Procedures and Checks: Review of documented procedures for the proper use of ECDIS/ENPs and evidence of regular checks conducted under the ship’s safety management system.
- Sensor Conformance and Display: Confirmation of the conformance and alignment of inputs from various navigational sensors (e.g., heading, speed, rate of turn, etc.) and the proper presentation of this information on the ECDIS display.
- Officer Training Documentation: Review of documentation pertaining to the ship’s officers’ completion of both generic and familiarization training for the specific ECDIS system(s) onboard.
- Demonstration of Competency: Assessment of the ship’s deck officers’ operational competency in effectively using both the ECDIS and the ENPs during a practical demonstration.
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Source: Maritime Port Authority Singapore
