The IMO has established a vision for e-navigation, which
outlines the direction that shipping and marine navigation
communities need to follow. In 2009, the confirmation of the
timetable for the mandatory adoption of ECDIS was established. For
large sectors of the industry going digital is must with an
immovable timetable attached. As a result, companies affected by
the first phase adoption in 2012 need to start their planning.
There are a number of steps and considerations to be made to
ensure that there is a smooth transition from paper to digital
navigation. The most important thing is finding out how each fleet
will be affected - although the legislation will eventually apply
to almost all large merchant vessels and passenger ships, it will
be phased by vessel type and size so it is vital to know when your
ships will be affected. The first phase affects new passenger ships
and new tankers.
Developing an implementation strategy is important to recognise
that the transition from paper to electronic navigation is a
fundamental change in the way ship navigation will be conducted,
it's not simply a case of fitting another piece of hardware to
ensure compliance with a carriage requirement.
Considerations include the purchase and installation of ECDIS
equipment, amendments to bridge procedures, co-ordination between
ship and shore, and the selection of a chart service that best
meets operational needs and fulfils the carriage requirements.
One of the most important elements is training. Arranging and
acquiring the appropriate training certification can take several
months and as a minimum you should be able to satisfy your Flag
State and any independent audit authorities that your crews are
proficient in using ECDIS to maintain safety of navigation.
Although the main aim of ECDIS is safety it can also increase
operational efficiency that in turn can lead to bottom-line
savings. Navigators and marine superintendents regularly report a
steady flow of benefits from using ECDIS, including the fact that
updates to chart data can be virtually instant. More information on
how to adopt and get the best of ECDIS is in UKHO's ten Steps to
ECDIS Mandation (
http://www.ukho.gov.uk/ProductsandServices/
ElectronicCharts/Documents/10_steps.pdf).
(Source: UKHO)
