ECDIS
1. Display Orientations in ECDIS
a) North-Up Orientation
The chart is displayed with true north always at the top.
Uses:
Best for chart work and position fixing.
Easy comparison with paper charts.
Preferred for voyage planning.
b) Course-Up Orientation
The ship’s intended course is shown at the top of the display.
Uses:
Useful during coastal navigation and pilotage.
Enhances situational awareness along the planned route.
c) Head-Up Orientation
The ship’s current heading is always at the top.
Uses:
Best for collision avoidance and maneuvering.
Aligns with radar picture, aiding quick decision-making.
2. Change of Scale
Allows zooming in and out of the chart display.
Uses:
Large scale → pilotage and confined waters.
Small scale → ocean passage planning.
Excessive zooming may cause over-scaling errors.
3. Overlays
Additional information displayed over the ENC.
Examples: Radar overlay, AIS targets, weather data.
Uses:
Enhances real-time situational awareness.
Allows cross-checking of radar, AIS, and chart data.
4. Layers
Information organized into selectable groups (layers).
Examples: Depths, contours, aids to navigation, cables.
Uses:
Reduces screen clutter.
Displays only relevant information for the situation.
5. Traditional and Simplified Symbols
a) Traditional Symbols
Display similar to paper chart symbols.
Uses:
Familiar to navigators trained on paper charts.
Useful for training and examinations.
b) Simplified Symbols
Use clear, minimal symbols.
Uses:
Improves clarity and readability.
Reduces misinterpretation during high workload situations.
6. Safety-Related ECDIS Functions
a) Safety Contour
A depth contour selected by the navigator representing minimum safe water.
Displayed prominently (usually bold).
Uses:
Separates safe and unsafe waters.
Triggers alarms if the ship approaches unsafe depths.
b) Shallow Contour
Indicates very shallow water areas.
Uses:
Warns of immediate grounding danger.
c) Deep Contour
Indicates safe deep water.
Uses:
Helps identify safe navigation zones offshore.
d) Safety Depth
A user-defined depth value.
Soundings shallower than this are highlighted.
Uses:
Quick identification of dangerous soundings.
7. CATZOC (Category Zone of Confidence)
Indicates accuracy and reliability of hydrographic survey data.
Categories: A1, A2, B, C, D (A1 = highest accuracy).
Uses:
Helps navigator assess chart reliability.
Encourages extra caution in poorly surveyed areas.
Essential during route planning and risk assessment.
What are the base layers, standard layers and the full layers which can be removed when not
required.?
2. Prepare a passage plan on ECDIS from port A to Port B
STEP-WISE PROCEDURE FOR PASSAGE PLANNING ON ECDIS
1. Appraisal Stage
Collect all required information:
ENC coverage and latest updates
Sailing directions, notices to mariners
Tide tables, current atlases, weather forecasts
Ship’s draft, UKC policy, manoeuvring data
Check CATZOC along the intended route.
Identify navigational hazards, traffic separation schemes, and restricted areas.
2. Planning Stage (Route Creation on ECDIS)
Select appropriate chart scale for planning.
Create the route by inserting waypoints:
Avoid hazards, shallow waters, and prohibited areas.
Adjust waypoint positions considering:
Wheel-over positions
Turning radius
Squat and bank effects
Define leg courses and distances automatically calculated by ECDIS.
3. Safety Settings Configuration
Set Safety Depth based on:
Maximum draft + squat + UKC allowance.
Select Safety Contour:
Equal to or just deeper than safety depth.
Set Shallow and Deep Contours.
Verify look-ahead time and distance for alarms.
4. Route Check (Critical Step)
Activate Route Check / Safety Check:
ECDIS scans for dangers along the route.
Review and acknowledge alarms for:
Shallow waters
Obstructions
Crossing TSS or restricted areas
Modify route if required and re-check.
5. Monitoring and Overlay Setup
Select orientation mode (North-up for planning).
Enable required layers:
Depths, contours, navigation marks, lights.
Activate overlays:
Radar overlay
AIS targets (if required)
6. Validation and Approval
Verify:
Waypoints accuracy
Turning points clearance
Compliance with COLREG & TSS rules
Save and name the route clearly.
Obtain Master’s approval of the passage plan.
7. Execution Stage (During Voyage)
Activate the route before sailing.
Monitor vessel progress using:
Cross Track Error (XTE)
Position sensors (GPS, gyro)
Cross-check ECDIS with radar, visual bearings, echo sounder.
Update plan if conditions change (weather, traffic).
Construct the route and draw the course and distances.
Set track limit, set alarms, curve track planning, carry out route check and modify route.
Check for navigational safety of monitored area.
Monitor the progress of the vessels’ passage plan
Procedures for Monitoring the Passage Plan
Activate the approved route on ECDIS before commencement of the voyage.
Ensure correct chart scale is in use for the area being navigated.
Monitor ship’s position continuously using GPS as the primary sensor.
Cross-check position with independent means:
Radar ranges and bearings
Visual bearings / transits
Echo sounder (depth comparison)
Observe Cross Track Error (XTE) and ensure it remains within limits.
Monitor Course Over Ground (COG) and Speed Over Ground (SOG) against the plan.
Confirm vessel remains in safe water with respect to safety contour and depth.
Continuously monitor ECDIS alarms and indications:
Shallow water alarms
Route deviation alarms
Look-ahead warnings
Use radar overlay and AIS to verify traffic situation and compliance with COLREG.
Verify wheel-over positions and execution of course alterations at planned points.
Monitor environmental factors:
Weather changes
Tidal streams and currents
Visibility conditions
Maintain a proper lookout by sight and hearing at all times.
Record positions at regular intervals as per company procedures.
Inform the Master and amend the passage plan if:
Weather deteriorates
Traffic density increases
Equipment limitations arise
Updating ENC- Maintaining charts up to date including the use of AIO
Updating ENC and Use of AIO (Admiralty Information Overlay)
1. Purpose of ENC Updating
To ensure ECDIS charts are corrected to the latest Notices to Mariners
To maintain SOLAS compliance
To reduce navigational risk due to unreported dangers or changes
2. Methods of ENC Updating
a) Manual Update
Updates applied one by one using correction files
Rarely used today due to high risk of error
b) Automatic / Semi-Automatic Update (Most Common)
Updates supplied by ENC service providers (e.g., UKHO, PRIMAR)
Corrections are installed via DVD, USB, or online transfer
3. Step-by-Step Procedure to Update ENC
Obtain the latest ENC update media or online package from the chart service provider
Insert the USB/DVD or connect the update system
Open the ECDIS chart management / update menu
Select ENC update option
Load and apply all available updates
System automatically:
Applies corrections
Records update status
Verify update completion by checking:
ENC edition number
Update number and date
Log the update in the ECDIS logbook / chart correction record
4. Admiralty Information Overlay (AIO)
What is AIO?
A digital overlay issued by UKHO
Displays temporary and preliminary (T&P) notices and navigation warnings
Does not permanently alter the ENC
5. How to Use AIO
Load AIO data into ECDIS along with ENC updates
Activate AIO layer in the display settings
Information appears as:
Highlighted symbols
Text boxes over the ENC
AIO updates are applied automatically and frequently
6. Uses of AIO
Displays Temporary & Preliminary Notices to Mariners
Shows NAVAREA warnings and hazards not yet included in ENC
Enhances situational awareness during route planning and monitoring
Reduces need for manual chart corrections
7. Limitations of AIO
AIO information is not part of the ENC
Must not be relied upon alone for navigation
Should be used in conjunction with updated ENC