Chart Data Formatting:

The Database vs. The Photograph

ENC (Vector) RNC (Raster)

ENC (Vector): An intelligent database. Features are RNC (Raster): A digital picture. A geo-referenced grid
individual objects mapped by coordinates that can be of colored pixels scanned directly from a paper chart.
interrogated and customized.
Capability Matrix: Interrogating ENC against RNC

Feature ENC (Vector) RNC (Raster)

w
ch
WGS 84 (Seamless with ar Varies between individual
Geodetic Datum ec GPS)
w charts
ch ni
k ar
Safety Alarms ec
Automated audible/visual ng No automatic alarms
hazard triggers
w
ni
ch
k Selectable feature sets (de- ar
ng Static individual display
Display Customization ec cluttering)
w
ch ni
k ar
Chart Updates ec Error-free digital integration ng Limited seamlessness
ni
k
ng
ac
seof ENC and ECDIS
The Operational Advantages
k_
cu
Real-Time Processing Enhanced Safety

ch Tireless, continuous integration of Automated anti-grounding safety

rit
GPS, Gyro, and Radar data contours and hazard proximity

an
alarms

ti y
la
ge Workload Reduction Customization

ms ye
Instant cross-track distance
calculations and automatic satellite
Display layers can be dynamically
toggled to eliminate visual clutter

er rs
updates
Comparison of ECDIS
sa and Paper Charts
tel
Digital (ENC / ECDIS) lit Analog (Paper Charts)ed
it
● e_
Procurement: Instant satellite download ● Procurement: Delayed physical delivery

● Corrections: Automatic backgroundalt ● Corrections: Tedious manual plotting

updates
● Route Planning: Time-consuming
● Route Planning: Instant XTD & ETA manual drawing
calculation
● Position Fixing: Periodic manual fixes
● Position Fixing: Continuous real-time
GNSS plot ● Risk Profile: Human error in plotting

● Risk Profile: Sensor dependency &

software glitches
N Activity ECDIS Paper Charts
o

1 Selection of Selection of charts for the voyage without any Selection of charts for the voyage; carried out
charts delay using chart catalogue, taking charts manually
and takes a long time

2 Chart Is received via satellite and uploaded into Is a tedious job and carried out manually. One
correction ECDIS. has to wait for the Notice to Mariners for
correction.

3 Procuring Request is sent to owner / manager. Once Request is sent to owner /manager. After
charts paid, charts are downloaded via satellite, purchasing sent to wherever the ship is.
using the activation code they are
activated immediately.

4 Voyage planning Is done swiftly and Is time consuming, courses and distances will
accurately not be accurate, committing clerical
error is a possibility.

5 Correction Once the new waypoints Is as good as re-doing

to are given, the rest are computed the whole voyage planning.
voyage automatically
planning

6 Noon Data required can be Data required for noon report are prepared
report obtained instantaneously
No Activity ECDIS Paper Charts

8 Target monitoring When ARPA is integrated with ECDIS, the targets Carried out using ARPA.
are super-imposed on the ECDIS.

9 Shallow contour This facility allows you to select the shallow area which Not applicable
you would not want to enter. Once marked
ECDIS will give warning.

10 NAVTEX Useful during search and rescue operations. Not applicable

and ECG on ECDIS Location of the vessel in distress displayed and bearing
and distance is
available instantaneously.

11 MOB Mark Useful feature in recovery operation during man Not applicable
overboard situation

12 Alarms and warnings Anti-grounding alarms, waypoint alarm, crossing safety Not applicable
contour alarm, route deviation alarm, approaching a
critical point alarm, off-track alarm, loss of GPS signal
and malfunction of ECDIS
alarm.

13 Information overload Information overload on watch keepers is a main Not applicable

concern with ECDIS.
 ECDIS Carriage Requirements
As per the amended SOLAS regulation V/19, the following vessels engaged on
international voyages must be fitted with ECDIS:

directions_boat local_shipping
Passenger Ships Cargo Ships

500 GT 3,000 GT
and upwards and upwards
 ECDIS Back-up Arrangements
Approval by the vessel’s Flag State is necessary for alternative back-up arrangements.
Depending on their agreement, such arrangements may include:

Second ECDIS System Paper Charts

An ECDIS system using ENCs with an independent An appropriate folio of corrected up-to-date paper
power supply. charts for the present voyage.

RCDS / ECS RCDS using ENCs

Using Raster Navigational Charts (RNCs) with an Alternative setup using Raster Chart Display System
independent power supply. with Electronic Navigational Charts.
 ECDIS Power Supply Requirements
Regulations as per SOLAS Ch II-1 & IMO Performance Standards

bolt published_with_changes
Emergency Power Source Continuous Operation
SOLAS Ch II-1, Reg 43 states that emergency power To avoid re-initialization, a back-up UPS is required
equipment should come on load within 45 seconds to ensure the ECDIS is not powered off during the
of power failure. 45s switchover period.
 Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs)

Official ENC’s are vector charts. ENC means the database, standardized as to content, structure and format, issued
for use with ECDIS on the authority of government authorized hydrographic offices.

Data & Responsibility Standards & Updates

● Content based on source data or official charts ● Compiled and coded according to strict
of the responsible Hydrographic Office international standards
● The issuing Hydrographic Office holds full ● Referred to World Geodetic System 1984 Datum
responsibility for content (WGS84)
● Issued exclusively by the responsible ● Regularly updated with official information
Hydrographic Office distributed digitally
 Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs)

Core Definition & Features Automated Safety Alarms

ECDIS systems utilize ENCs published by The data nature within an ENC enables proactive
authorized hydrographic offices. safety monitoring within the ECDIS:
● Vector Charts: Databases allowing data Depth Warnings
display based on user requirements. Alarms trigger if a proposed course enters areas where
● Seamless Integration: No boundaries minimum depth requirements aren't met.
between charts for a continuous view. Warnings are crucial for preventing groundings and
● Scalable Detail: Information levels adjust identifying hazards.
according to selected display scales.
● Extended Data: Includes Sailing Directions
and detailed navigational aid info.
 Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs)
Automated Navigational Warnings & Alarms

Hazard Identification Operational Integrity

ENC data triggers automatic alarms for the Critical Accuracy: Alarms only function correctly if
navigator, including: accurate information is input to the system.
● Shallow depth Navigator must specify alarm parameters correctly
● Isolated dangers based on:
● Cross track error ● Vessel's current condition
● Approaching waypoints ● Specific voyage requirements
● Anti-grounding alarms (requires echo
sounder input)
 Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs)

ENC Layer Management Safety & Integrity

ENC data is created in layers (Display Base, Warning: Critical depth information must NEVER
Standard Display, etc.), allowing navigators to be removed from display modes.
customize information for specific voyage
conditions. Failure to maintain critical depth data can prevent
the system from generating vital anti-grounding
Critical Requirements: alarms.
● Familiarize with data in each layer.
● Know how to restore all information. warning
● Setup ECDIS procedures prior to watch ALARM INTEGRITY
handover.
 Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs)
Permanent Base Display Requirements

Navigational Hazards Display Metadata

The ECDIS must permanently display these critical Essential orientation and unit information that
safety features: cannot be removed:

● Coastline (high water) ● Scale, range, and north arrow

● Ship’s safety contour ● Units of depth and height
● Underwater dangers within safety contour
● Display mode
● Isolated dangers (fixed structures,
overhead wires) REQUIRED SETTINGS
These elements are locked to the base display.
 Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs)
Standard Display Configuration

Core Display Elements Navigational Constraints

● Display base ● Prohibited and restricted areas
● Drying line ● Chart scale boundaries
● Buoys, beacons, and aids to navigation ● Indication of cautionary notes
● Boundaries of fairways and channels ● Ship routeing systems and ferry routes
● Visual and radar conspicuous features ● Archipelagic sea lanes

SYSTEM DEFAULT
 Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs)
On-Demand (Custom) Display Information

Navigational Details Metadata & References

Additional information available for individual Supplementary chart and geographical data:
display:
● ENC edition date
● Spot soundings
● Recent update number
● Submarine cables & pipelines
● Magnetic variation
● Isolated dangers (details)
● Graticule
● Aids to navigation (details)
● Place names
● Cautionary notes (contents)
CUSTOM SETTINGS
Users can toggle these elements as needed.
 Presentation Library
S-52 Version 4.0 (Latest)

Role & Function Critical Maintenance

The Presentation Library (PL) is the engine that Impact of using outdated PL versions:
translates data into visuals:
● ECDIS fails to correctly visualize the ENC
● Transforms coded ENC objects and database.
attributes into icons, lines, and areas.
● Risk: Symbols or critical navigation areas
● Standardizes chart update displays. may not be displayed at all.
● Visualizes Look-ahead and Route Corridor
alerts. UPDATE REQUIRED FOR SAFETY
 Hydrographic Data Standards
S-52: Presentation Library S-57: Data Transfer Standard
Standard for ECDIS manufacturers determining how The current data format used for exchanging digital
ENC data is displayed (symbols, colors, cues). Ensures hydrographic data between national offices and
uniform visualization across all approved ECDIS makes distribution to manufacturers and end-users.
and models.

S-58: Validation Checks S-63: Data Protection

Mandatory tests performed by hydrographic offices Standard for ENC encryption. Covers data security,
before release. Prevents irregularities like intersecting privacy protection, selective access (licensing), and
geometry or land-plotted depths that cause authentication from official sources.
malfunctions.
 System Electronic Navigational Charts
(SENC)

The Conversion Process

When an ENC is loaded into the system, it becomes a SENC.
ECDIS converts ENC data into its own internal SENC format for
optimal chart image creation.
Note: SENC data can differ between manufacturers as it is optimized for
specific hardware.
 Mandatory ECDIS Alarms

Critical Safety Events

● Crossing Safety Contour: Occurs when the vessel's predicted path crosses the set safety
depth.

● Deviation from Route: Triggered when the ship exceeds the specified cross-track distance.

● Positioning System Failure: Immediate alarm if the primary GNSS or position sensor fails.

● Approach to Critical Point: Notification before reaching waypoints or hazardous areas.

● Different Geodetic Datum: Warning if chart and sensor data use incompatible coordinate
systems.
ch Anti-grounding Cone
ec
k_
The anti-grounding cone safety frame covers the area used by ECDIS to
ch or user-defined safety
generate alarms based on chart data analysis
bo
parameters.
an
x_
ge
o Box Shape
_h Cone Shape
ut
Acting as a Danger Detection Vector, ist
Acting as a Danger Detection Sector,
lin
this shape provides a linear safety zone this shape covers a wider angular area
along the vessel's predicted path. or of the vessel.
ahead
e_
y
bl
an
k
 SCAMIN (Scale Minimum)

visibilityVoyage Monitoring edit_roadVoyage Planning

Operate at compilation scale when appropriate Smaller scale charts or zooming away from
ENCs are available. compilation scale may be used for waypoint
manipulation.
O.O.W. must know how to reset to compilation scale
after zooming out for situational awareness. CRITICAL: All visual inspections for dangers MUST
Note: Zooming out may trigger underscale warnings or limit
be carried out at compilation scale.
operations.

SCAMIN Selection Mode

OFF Appraisal, Planning, & Review — Ensures all information is visible for safety assessment.
ON Execution & Monitoring — Reduces clutter for a clear, focused operational display.
ECDIS Position Plotting

GPS (Automatic) Manual LOP

Plotted automatically by the ECDIS. Intervals may be Utilizes multiple referencing methods:
defined by the operator. ● Bearing & Distance
● Visual & Radar

Radar Overlay
An effective tool used primarily to cross-check positions and ensure accuracy between electronic and observed
data.
Raster Navigational Charts (RNC)

Characteristics & Limitations Operational Requirements

An RNC is a digital facsimile of a paper chart, When using RNCs (RCDS mode), IMO mandates
displaying identical data and perimeters. additional safeguards:

● Alarms/warnings cannot be set like an ENC. ● Must be used with an appropriate folio of up-
to-date paper charts.
● Users may set manual boundary alarms for
danger areas depending on the system. ● Paper charts remain the principal means for
passage planning and monitoring.
● Applies regardless of the type of electronic
chart used in RCDS mode.
Digital Vulnerabilities and System Risks
Over-Reliance w Configuration Errors

ar
Trusting the screen blindly, resulting in a Incorrect safety depth or contour settings
failure to maintain a visual look-out. leading to grounding without triggering
alarms.

ni
Information Overload
Poorly managed display layers obscuring
n System Failures
Complete dependence on power, sensor

g
vital navigational data. integrity (GNSS spoofing), and software
stability.