The following guidance and information is provided to assist
those involved with the transition from paper chart to ECDIS
navigation.
As an initial step, shipowners and operators should undertake an
assessment of the issues involved in changing from paper chart to
ECDIS navigation. Ships' crews should participate in any such
assessment so as to capture any practical concerns or needs of
those that would be required to use ECDIS. Such a process will help
facilitate an early understanding of any issues to be addressed and
will aid ships' crews prepare for change.
Documenting the assessment of issues, combined with the
development of ECDIS standard operating procedures, will help lead
to the adoption of robust ECDIS navigation practices,
simplification of crew training and facilitate smooth handovers
between crews.
In addition, shipowners and operators should ensure that their
ships' crews are provided with a comprehensive familiarization
programme and type-specific training; and that the ships' crew
fully understand that the use of electronic charts aboard ship
continues to require the need for passage planning.
