Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS)

22 Apr 2016 / Australia

The phased carriage requirement of Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) is underway and is scheduled to be completed by 2018…

…Ship owners and operators need to ensure careful management and regular maintenance of both ECDIS hardware and software. MSC.1/Circ.1503 contains guidance on maintenance of ECDIS software and identifies the need to keep ECDIS updated to meet the current International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) standards…

…A list of known ECDIS anomalies is included in MSC.1/Circ.1503. Due to the complex nature of ECDIS, and because it involves a mix of hardware, software and data, it is possible (but considered not likely) that further undetected anomalies may exist. The existence of anomalies highlights the importance of maintaining ECDIS software to ensure the correct display of up-to-date electronic navigational charts.

To help understand the extent of these anomalies, navigating officers are encouraged to report any such anomalies, including specific details regarding fitted equipment, to their flag State authority….

(For information about operations in Australia contact GAC Australia at [email protected])

Source: Extract from Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Marine Notice 8/2016 dated April 2016 – for the full Notice, go to https://apps.amsa.gov.au/MOReview/MarineNoticeExternal.html

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