How do you switch from raster chart to vector chart in the furuno fmd ecdis

Furuno FMD-3200, FMD-3300 User Manual

FMD-3200 (with 19” LCD)

FMD-3300 (with 23.1” LCD)

with an optional pedestal

Fast, intuitive route planning and

Models: FMD-3200 (with 19″ LCD) / FMD-3300 (with 23.1″ LCD)

Multifunction display capability, featuring ECDIS, Conning Information Display, Radar/Chart Radar* and Alert Management System**

* a radar sensor needs to be integrated in the network.

** Radar and Alert Management System display capabilities are to be implemented as software upgrade. (option)

Conning Information Display

• IHO/S-57 Edition 3 vector chart (IHO S-63 data protection scheme)

Admiralty Vector Chart Service by UKHO

Jeppesen Primar ECDIS Service

• ARCS raster chart

*C-MAP Professional+ is a private chart, hence not construed as replacement for paper chart.

Interface with Jeppesen Dynamic Licensing Service

Compatibility with Admiralty Information Overlay

(AIO) for further navigation safety

Additional AIO layer includes all Admiralty Temporary and Preliminary Notices to Mariners as well as additional ENC Preliminary Notices to Mariners, i.e., reported navigational hazards that have been incorporated into paper chart but have yet to be included in ENCs. The service is free of charge as part of Admiralty Vector Chart Service (AVCS) by UKHO.

Instantaneous chart redraw delivered by FURUNO’s advanced chart drawing engine, making redraw latency a thing of the past

Instantaneous chart redraw

▲ Intuitive new user interface offers fast, precise route planning, monitoring and navigation data management

▲ Interface with existing FAR-21×7/FAR-28×7 series Radar for Radar overlay, target track info, route and waypoint exchange via Ethernet

* Software update on FAR-21×7/FAR-28×7 series might be necessary depending on the program number.

▲ Complies with the following IMO and IEC regulations:

• IEC 61162-1 Ed. 4

• IEC 61162-2 Ed. 1

Electronic Navigational Chart

Raster Navigational Chart

Place the cursor on the AIO object and right-click to open the contextual menu. Select “Object INFO” to open the chart object window.

AIO data layer displayed

Chart object window

On the chart object window, select the AIO object and click «OK» to view the details.

The full text of the Notice to Mariners as well as associated diagrams can be displayed subsequently.

Ease of installation and maintenance thanks to simpli ed cabling in the sensor-to-ECDIS/Radar interface

delivered by common sensor adapter

Sensor Adapter acts as central medium to gather all the sensor data and collectively

feed it to all FMD-3200/3300 ECDIS and FAR-3000 Chart Radar in the system. Since

sensor adapter can be extended to cover all the sensors within the system, individual

cablings in the sensor-to-ECDIS/Radar interface can be greatly reduced.

Navigation sensors can be directly interfaced with the ECDIS processor’s 8 serial I/O ports.

Sensor adapters are required under the following conditions:

• the sensor data is to be shared amongst multiple networked ECDIS and Radar systems,

• the number of sensors interfaced is more than the number of the ports the processor has (8 serial I/O ports, 1 digital IN and 6 digital OUT), and/or

• the networked sensors include analog sensors.

In order to integrate onboard sensors into the navigation network, the sensor adapter may be interfaced with the switching hub HUB-100 from which distribution of the sensor data throughout the network is possible.

Alternatively, multiple sensor adapters may be interfaced via Ethernet to integrate onboard sensors for use in the shipboard network.

System diagram for the current Model

FEA-2×07

ECDIS mandatory

Introduction

How to get ready for the ECDIS carriage requirement?

The first step is to determine the effect on your fleet, when your vessels have to be ready to comply with the new carriage requirement. From 2012 onwards to 2018 all IMO vessels over 10,000 GT on top of other vessel types specified in the table below are requested to install and operate ECDIS. Please refer to the below overview to find the implementation schedule for your vessels. Vessels may be exempt from this obligatory carriage of ECDIS if they are taken out of operation in less than two years after the implementation date.

Implementation schedule for mandatory carriage ECDIS

At the NAV-54 work group assembly in 2008, IMO has decided to make ECDIS mandatory for all IMO vessels > 3,000 GT(passenger vessels > 500 GT) with a transitioning period as shown below.
The new carriage requirement is for one ECDIS with suitable back up arranagements, which can be fulfilled either by a type-approved backup ECDIS or official, up-to-date paper charts.

Approval from the Authorities on compliance of mandatory carriage of ECDIS

The implementation of ECDIS installation onboard vessels will need to be type-approved and they have to issue a certificate of compliance which is used by the classification society, the port state control and vetting administration to ensure that the vessel is in full compliance with the requirement to carry type approved ECDIS with suitable back-up facilities. In some cases you can expect that port state control or vetting administration will verify if the crew is properly trained and has a sufficient understanding of the operation of ECDIS.

Why choose ECDIS?

Besides that ECDIS will become a mandatory system onboard vessels, the implementation and use of ECDIS provides a wide range of advantages. It makes the voyage planning easier by allowing optimization according to time, speed and other parameters, and any modification is accomplished by a simple drag and drop action or by a click and inserting a modified value. It gives a reason for better safety in the voyage planning by taking the ship’s draft into consideration when planning the route and combine this with dangerous areas or areas of special attention. Part of the planning job is the chart management, and this is made easier by using official electronic navigation charts (ENC) or ARCS. Updating charts can be done either from a CD-ROM/DVD received from the chart vendor or via satellite using an intermediate PC onboard or through a direct connection to the ECDIS through Service Gateway. If additional charts are required they can be bought via e-mail or from the internet, while onboard. This all saves time and resources on the bridge, which can be used for other important tasks.

When performing the voyage the navigator can be advised by the ECDIS if he is in his planned track and if he is approaching shallow water and dangerous areas. The ECDIS monitors the data received from the many navigation data sensors connected to the ECDIS and the ECDIS validates the data and emits a warning signal or alarm in case ECDIS detects that navigation data are corrupted. In addition, the ECDIS can be preprogrammed to indicate to the navigator on watch if the vessel has reached a position or area which require special attention by the navigator or planned actions.

The ECDIS logs the navigation data and chart usage during the voyage and this data is available for reporting after the voyage is finished.

Chart management

Glossary for Electronic Charts to be used with ECDIS

System configurations

General Preparation for Mandatory ECDIS

As part of the preparation you will also have to consider the back-up arrangement for ECDIS if you want to have your fleet operate without paper charts. Another possibility is to upgrade your bridge system to include additional functions such as TCS made possible by ECDIS. The installation and operation of ECDIS has to be approved by the flag register.
The back-up arrangement can be either up-to-date paper chart folio covering the area of operation or an additional ECDIS. When using a back-up ECDIS, it is required to be mounted in the main bridge. By using single or dual ECDIS solution, you can benefit from the easy chart management and update as well as the increased safety provided by the ECDIS. Below system diagrams show the two solutions which have been described.

Diagram for Standalone ECDIS Configuration
Up to date paper chart covering the area of operation required

Diagram for Dual ECDIS Configuration
For paperless operation

General Preparation for Mandatory ECDIS: Possibility through ECDIS integration to the navigation bridge

When introducing ECDIS onboard a vessel you might be able to connect the ECDIS to the radars to allow for transfer of route information to the radar display and radar overlay and TT data transfer to the ECDIS. Another possibility is to upgrade the steering system to perform track control by adding a track pilot, which is connected to the ECDIS. The track pilot is receiving the steering instructions from the ECDIS and performs the steering according to the set parameters in the ECDIS. The Track Control System –TCS– can transfer the track pilot data to the radar to allow the display of curved EBL, which is a feature that shows the turn to be performed by the TCS as a curved EBL on the radar. This way the navigator can predict the turn circle and determine if the turn is in accordance with his intentions. Please note that when upgrading to the bridge system, you will need to obtain acceptance from the flag register and the classification society.

Interconnection Diagram for Dual ECDIS with Track Control System
For Paperless operation

General Preparation for Mandatory ECDIS: Extended system suggestions using ECDIS

Voyage planning can be performed using the back-up ECDIS as long as it does not affect or disrupt the navigation performed by the Officer of the Watch (OOW). Alternatively, ECDIS for voyage planning can be installed at the voyage planning work station, which allows for voyage planning without disturbing the navigation performed by the OOW. Please note, however, that the back-up arrangement has to be approved by the flag register.

Interconnection Diagram for Single ECDIS with Route Planning ECDIS
Up to date paper chart covering the area of operation required

Interconnection Diagram for Dual ECDIS with Route Planning ECDIS
For Paperless operation

How do you switch from raster chart to vector chart in the furuno fmd ecdis

All electronic chart licensing and data management operations are carried out through the “Charts” Option on the Top Toolbar and then from the various Tabs on the left hand side of the Home screen on the FURUNO ECDIS:

To check the ECDIS Software Version: Select “?” then select “About”

To check Presentation Library (PL) Edition: Select “?” then select “About”

The User Permit Number (UPN)

The ‘User Permit Number’ is a 28 character alphanumeric string that is unique to each ECDIS installation or group of ECDIS, e.g. multiple bridge installations.

The ‘User Permit Number’ should have been supplied at the time of delivery and must be used when ordering an AVCS license.

The Public Key

The Admiralty Vector Chart Service currently uses the IHO.CRT, issued by the International Hydrographic Organisation, to authenticate its AVCS ENCs.

However, the Furuno 3000 ECDIS uses the IHO.PUB Public Key which is included in all AVCS Media. To view and install the IHO Public Key:

If the Public Key currently installed differs from the IHO.CRT the user will need to install the IHO.CRT.

To do this insert any AVCS S63 1.1 Base or Update CD into your ECDIS and follow the steps below:

1. Select ‘Public Key’ Menu on the Home screen

On the next ‘Open File’ window, select the location where the new Public Key to install is stored (i.e. CD, DVD, USB). Select the IHO.PUB and click ‘Open’.

An ‘Attention’ message confirming the installation of the new Public Key will appear on the screen. Click ‘OK’.

Deleting ENC Data

New AVCS customers who had previously subscribed to other ENC services are required to remove (purge) all ENC Permits and data from the system before installing AVCS.

To delete all ENCs data from the system:

1. Select ‘Manage Charts’ on the Home screen

An ‘Attention’ window with the message “All selected Charts will be deleted. Do you wish to continue?” is then displayed. Click ‘OK’ to confirm the deletion of the selected Chart.

A final ‘Attention’ window then confirms the deletion. Click ‘OK’.

The deleted Chart will disappear from the ‘Licenses’ window.

Deleting ALL Charts

An ‘Attention’ window with the message “All selected Charts will be deleted. Do you wish to continue?” is then displayed. Click ‘OK’ to confirm the deletion of all the selected Charts.
A final ‘Attention’ window then confirms the deletion. Click ‘OK’.
The deleted Charts will disappear from the ‘Manage Charts’ window.

Deleting ENC Permits

If the user has previously subscribed to another ENC service please remove these ENC permits from the ECDIS system before use. The user must select the cells for which permits are to be deleted. In most instances this will simply involve selecting all cells. In certain circumstances it may be required to remove permits for individual cells, in this case simply select the cells for which permits need to be deleted.

To delete ENC Permits:

An ‘Attention’ window with the message ‘Selected group will be deleted. Do you wish to continue?’ is then displayed. Click ‘OK’ to confirm the deletion of all the selected Charts.

A final ‘Attention’ window then confirms the deletion: ‘1 ENC Permit removed’. Click ‘OK’.

The deleted Chart will disappear from the ‘Licenses’ window.

Deleting ALL Permits

An ‘Attention’ window with the message “Selected group will be deleted. Do you wish to continue?” is then displayed. Click ‘OK’ to confirm the deletion of all the selected Charts.

A final ‘Attention’ window then confirms the deletion: ‘XXX ENC Permits removed’. Click ‘OK’.

The deleted Charts will now disappear from the ‘Licenses’ window.

Installing ENC Permits

Note: Ensure the correct Permit is installed into the ECDIS workstation.

In the next ‘Select File’ window, highlight the Permit.txt file from the selected source location (i.e. USB), click ‘Open’ and then ‘OK’

If needed, the Permit List can then be exported to external Media (i.e. CD, DVD, USB) by clicking on the ‘Export List’ option:

Installing AVCS DVDs

There are currently 2 AVCS DVD Media. AVCS DVD Media contain all the latest Base and Update data. It is likely that users will need to install both DVDs in order to load all licensed ENCs. Reference to the Schedule A can avoid the unnecessary loading of both DVDs and save the user time.

The process described here should be used in almost all circumstances as it will automatically select data to be loaded according to the permit file installed by the user.

To install AVCS DVD Media:

Note: Ensure the latest permits have been installed before attempting to install any data

1. Click on ‘Auto Load’ on the Home screen

An ‘Attention’ window then appears warning that ‘this process takes time to complete and the operation speed of the system will decline. Do you wish to continue?’. Click ‘OK’.

Another ‘Attention’ window confirms how many ‘Charts are contained in the inserted AVCS Media and how many can be installed (based on the previously installed Permit file). Do you wish to continue?’. Click ‘OK’.

Note: Whenever Charts are cancelled, they will automatically be removed from the system. When this happens, this will be communicated in the ‘Error/Warning Guidance’ window at the end of the installation.

The AVCS Media will be read and a progress Bar will display on the ‘Install Chart Data’ window on the screen. When the installation is complete, a window confirming the installation will appear, click ‘Confirm’
(this window can take some time to appear even if the Progress Bar shows a completion rate of 100%)

To check the details of the data installation, click on ‘Show Details’ on the ‘Install Chart Data’ window.

Click ‘Finish’ to close.

Installing AVCS Base CDs

There are currently 9 AVCS Base CDs but this number will grow as more ENCs become available for distribution within AVCS. It is unlikely that users will need to install all of the CDs in order to load all licensed ENCs. Reference to the Schedule A can avoid the unnecessary loading of some CDs and save the user time. The process described here should be used in almost all circumstances as it will automatically select data to be loaded according to the permit file installed by the user.

To install AVCS Base CD:

Note: Ensure the latest permits have been installed before attempting to install any data

1. After having inserted the first AVCS Base CD identified in the Schedule A into the appropriate drive (i.e. D/Q), click on
‘Auto Load’ on the Home screen

An ‘Attention’ window then appears warning that ‘this process takes time to complete and the operation speed of the system will decline. Do you wish to continue?’. Click ‘OK’.

Another ‘Attention’ window confirms how many ‘Charts are contained in the inserted AVCS Media and how many can be installed (based on the previously installed Permit file). Do you wish to continue?’. Click ‘OK’.

Note: Whenever Charts are cancelled, they will automatically be removed from the system. When this happens, this will be communicated in the ‘Error/Warning Guidance’ window at the end of the installation.

Installing AVCS Update CD

Note: The AVCS update disc will indicate which Base disc week must have been installed. It is important that users do not attempt to load an Update CD that is not consistent with the Base CDs

To install AVCS Update CD:

Note: Check the AVCS Update CD for the required Base CDs to be applied first.

1. Click on ‘Auto Load’ on the Home screen

An ‘Attention’ window then appears warning that ‘this process takes time to complete and the operation speed of the system will decline. Do you wish to continue?’. Click ‘OK’.

Another ‘Attention’ window confirms how many ‘Charts are contained in the inserted AVCS Media and how many can be updated (based on the previously installed Permit file). Do you wish to continue?’. Click ‘OK’.

Note: Whenever Charts are cancelled, they will automatically be removed from the system. When this happens, this will be communicated in the ‘Error/Warning Guidance’ window at the end of the installation.

The AVCS Media will be read and a progress Bar will display on the ‘Install Chart Data’ window on the screen. When the installation is complete, a window confirming the installation will appear, click ‘Confirm’
(this window can take some time to appear even if the Progress Bar shows a completion rate of 100%)

To check the details of the data installation, click on ‘Show Details’ on the ‘Install Chart Data’ window.

Click ‘Finish’ to close.

Note: Repeat this step if directed to do so by the ECDIS.

Installing Exchange Set using USB Stick

The exchange set contained the latest Notices to Mariners’ corrections, New Editions and New Charts issued since the last update for their AVCS holdings. The exchange set can be downloaded using online chart updating software.

To install AVCS/AIO Exchange Set using USB Stick:

Note: Please do not save the Permit file within the ENC/AIO Exchange Set.

Note: The AVCS update disc will indicate which Base disc week must have been installed. It is important that users do not attempt to load an Update CD that is not consistent with the Base CDs

To install AVCS/AIO exchange set:

Note: Check the AVCS Update CD for the required Base CDs to be applied first.

To install AVCS/AIO exchange set:

Note: Whenever Charts are cancelled, they will automatically be removed from the system. When this happens, this will be communicated in the ‘Error/Warning Guidance’ window at the end of the installation.

The AVCS Media will be read and a progress Bar will display on the ‘Install Chart Data’ window on the screen. When the installation is complete, a window confirming the installation will appear, click ‘Confirm’
(this window can take some time to appear even if the Progress Bar shows a completion rate of 100%)

To check the details of the data installation, click on ‘Show Details’ on the ‘Install Chart Data’ window.

Click ‘Finish’ to close.

The update will then complete and any updates will be applied.

Viewing an ENC

To view ENC data:

The ECDIS will then open the chart specified at the appropriate display scale.

Installing AIO Permits

The Admiralty Information Overlay (AIO) is installed in the Furuno FMD 3000 ECDIS by installing the Cell GB800001 included in the PERMIT.TXT file and then the AIO Data.

To install the AIO Permits:

In the next ‘Select File’ window appearing, highlight the Permit.txt file which contains the AIO Permit from the selected source location (i.e. USB), click ‘Open’ and then ‘OK’

Installing AIO Data

The AIO Media can only be installed when the usual AVCS S-63 1.1 Data has been previously installed. After having previously installed the Permit for the AIO Cell GB800001, the AIO Media now needs to be installed.

Insert the latest AIO CD into the appropriate drive (i.e. D/Q)

An ‘Attention’ window then appears warning that ‘this process takes time to complete and the operation speed of the system will decline. Do you wish to continue?’. Click ‘OK’.

Another ‘Attention’ window confirms how many ‘Charts are contained in the inserted AIO Media and how many can be installed (based on the previously installed Permit file). Do you wish to continue?’. Click ‘OK’.

The AIO CD will be read and a progress Bar will display on the ‘Install Chart Data’ window on the screen.

When the installation is complete, a window confirming the installation will appear, click ‘Confirm’(this window can take some time to appear even if the Progress Bar shows a completion rate of 100%)

To check the details of the data installation, click on ‘Show Details’ on the ‘Install Chart Data’ window.

Click ‘Finish’ to close.

Using the AIO

To enable AIO data: 1. Select ‘Display’ from left hand tool-bar.

To view AIO data:

Systems Checks

The user has the option to review the status of all installed ENCs on the Furuno FMD 3000 ECDIS by consulting various Reports.
1.Select ‘Record’ on the Home screen
2.Select ‘Chart Log’
3.Select ‘ENC’

A Report containing all the installed Cells then appears on the screen. This Report contains information about all the Update status of the Cells currently installed on the system. Select ‘Close’ to close the Report.

The Furuno FMD 3000 ECDIS displays the Cell status of the Cells installed within a colour coding system on the Geographical Display:

Green: The Permit is valid and the ENC is available for use in SENC format. If the source of the ENC is a RENC, then the ENC is also up-to-date. If the source of the S-57 vector chart is something other than a RENC then all loaded updates are included into the SENC.
Orange: You have a valid Permit and the ENC is available for use in SENC format but it is either not up-to-date or has been cancelled. This could be for several reasons, either the SENC is from a previous edition, the latest SENC update was missed or the ENC has been cancelled.
Red: If an ENC is installed in the SENC but does not have a corresponding permit installed then the ENC is no longer available for display in the viewer.
Blue: The conversion of the Cells from RENC to SENC as somehow failed during the conversion process. This can be due to a software upgrade or an issue with the data itself preventing the Furuno from successfully converting to SENC. For example, one Cell was up-to-date before a software upgrade and was not updated when the software was upgraded. Then the Cell would show as blue until the conversion process is completed. Contrary to the Magenta colour which means that the RENC to SENC conversion was not even started.
Magenta: You have a permit to use the ENC, but the installed ENC is not available in SENC format and thus you cannot use the ENC currently.
It is also possible to check the updating status of all Cells installed within the Cell Status mode:

1.Select ‘Cell Status’ on the Home screen

2.The ‘Cell Status’ window then appears displaying the Updating status of all Cells installed:

If screenshots need to be taken (i.e. report specific issues), this is carried out in the Furuno FMD 3000 by clicking on ‘Capture Screenshot’ on the Home screen.

When the required screenshot is taken, it will be automatically saved on the system within the ‘Settings’ Tab on the top Menu

How do you switch from raster chart to vector chart in the furuno fmd ecdis

SOLAS requires certain ships to meet International Maritime Organization (IMO) provisions defined in the 1974 International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS,) together with its amendments.

IMO SOLAS V/19 outlines requirements for the types of charts ships are required to carry:

2.1 All ships irrespective of size shall have:

2.1.4 Nautical charts and nautical publications to plan and display the ship’s route for the intended voyage and to plot and monitor positions throughout the voyage. An electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) is also accepted as meeting the chart carriage requirements of this subparagraph. Ships to which paragraph [2.10] applies shall comply with the carriage requirements for ECDIS detailed therein;

2.1.5 Back-up arrangements to meet the functional requirements of subparagraph 2.1.4, if this function is partly or fully fulfilled by electronic means*;

Footnote to regulation 2.1.4

A majority of cargo ships, tankers, passenger ships, and mega yachts use electronic chart display and information systems (ECDISs). An amendment to SOLAS requires these vessels to use ECDIS as a primary means of navigation. By 2018, all such vessels will be required to use ECDIS. A graph of the ECDIS mandation timetable can be seen below.

It is not enough for a vessel to simply have an ECDIS on board. To be in compliance with SOLAS regulations and to pass port state inspections the ECDIS on a vessel must contain the appropriate electronic charts for the vessel’s intended voyage. There are two types of electronic charts that an ECDIS can display: Raster Navigational Charts (RNCs) and Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs,) otherwise known as vector charts. These charts are available via the Admiralty Raster Chart Service (ARCS) and Admiralty Vector Chart Service (AVCS) or another electronic chart service provider.

RNC (Raster Navigational Chart)

An RNC is a digital image originally scanned from paper charts into an electronic format. Geographic references are added to the electronic chart allowing it to refresh in real time, allowing mariners to identify and analyze chart data. Raster charts integrate with global positioning system (GPS) coordinates using raster chart display systems (RCDSs.)

Raster charts have a similar presentation and style of use to traditional paper nautical charts and maybe preferable to mariners who use paper nautical charts. Free weekly notice to mariner (NTM) updates are available to ensure chart information is accurate and reliable for mariners.

Raster Navigational Charts (RNCs) are a safe and reliable primary navigation alternative under certain conditions and subject to individual Port and Flag State approval, for example where electronic navigational charts (ENCs) don’t yet exist (see IMO resolution MSC 86 (70). Approved RNCs conform to the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) Product Specification S-61. Large scale raster charts can help identify important information such as dredged depths and berth names that can be hard to find sometimes in ENC’s.

Raster charts do have their disadvantages when compared to vector charts. Unlike an ECDIS operating in ENC mode, RNC mode operation allows for limited alarm and warning functionality. There is a finite amount of resolution because images are digitally scanned. Vector charts may show more dense information when used to zoom in. Raster charts are limited in their functionality in this regard. The overall usability of RNCs is less robust than ENCs. When using an ENC certain features may be turned off, to allow for a less cluttered view. Again, raster charts are limited in their functionality. Text on raster charts may be sideways or difficult to read. Text in vector charts always stays the right side up and easy to read.

Overall, while they do have some disadvantages raster charts are an excellent complementary source of chart data in conjunction with the use of vector charts to help the mariner safely navigate.

Raster Navigational Chart (RNC)

ENC (Electronic Navigational Chart)

ENCs or vector charts are required to be used if data is available. A vector chart is merely a representation of a of a database of information. All of the same information that is available on a raster chart is present, with many significant additions. The use of vector charts is preferable to raster charts. However, there are locations where vector charts are not available and crews must use raster charts so long as SOLAS provisions are adhered to.

An ENC contains more information than an RNC and has a slightly different look than a paper chart. Different objects on an ENC have attributes; by clicking on a vessel or lighthouse, for example, more information about the object will become available. It is recommended that ships equipped with ECDIS operate using ENCs. No electronic system is completely failsafe and it is always required to employ a second independent ECDIS, operating from a different power source or carry up-to-date paper nautical charts covering the entire route of the voyage.

Each object or feature on a vector chart has attributes that vary. These attributes can provide users further information than would be provided on a raster chart. For example an icon representing a lighthouse may be clicked upon and attributes of the lighthouse may be viewed.

Data for vector charts is collected and organized according to the S-57 data standard. A second data authentication and protection standard S-63 details security schemes for vector chart data. The data for these charts is produced by governmental bodies following International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) ENC product specifications. Vector chart data produced by organizations that do not meet these specifications should not be used.

Vector charts allow users much greater utility. There may be instances where a certain feature is of interest and other nearby features are cluttering the view. The user may turn off the features that are cluttering the view. Text may also be turned off.

Because a vector chart is a graphic representation of a database, there are far fewer limits. It is possible to zoom in on an area and gain more detail. It is also possible to zoom out, especially to get a look ahead. Viewing the path of route a significant distance ahead becomes cumbersome with the limited functionality of raster charts. Vector charts allow users to view the oncoming path with much greater ease.

Because of the increased amount of data available, ENCs are suited for use with alarms and warnings to alert crews of danger in the ship’s path. Positions of features on vector charts use the World Geodetic System 1984 Datum (WGS84). This system is global navigation satellite system (GNSS) position compatible.

Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC)

Regular Updates Imperative

The vector and raster charts stored in an ECDIS must be updated regularly both to ensure that the most current data for marine navigational purposes is available and that the ECDIS is able to read the data that is supplied and function correctly.

Updates may be made automatically by network transmission or using a CD-ROM/Flash-drive. Mariners should consult with their electronic chart supplier for acquiring the necessary updates for their electronic chart portfolio.

There are instances where mariners may not be sure if the most recent update to the electronic charts in an ECDIS has been applied. Some types of ECDIS provide functionality to check which updates have been applied, while others do not. If there is any doubt it is possible to cross check charts with traditional sources of information such as notices to mariners or the bridge holdings management software to ensure that chart data is up to date.

It is also important to ensure that the ECDIS itself conforms to the most recent IHO S-63 1.1 standard if mariners intend to use S-63 1.1 authenticated ENC’s. In order for these ENC’s to load properly, the correct Public Key must be installed. New ECDIS’s automatically contain the IHO Public Key needed to display S-63 1.1 ENC’s. For older ECDIS’s, mariners should check the current public key that is being used. Mariners will need to upgrade their ECDIS to the IHO Public Key if they have the PRIMAR Public Key installed. This information can be found in the ECDIS or from the manufacturer. Only approved and up-to-date ECDIS and electronic chart data should be used for marine navigation. If either is not available it is always better to revert to using up-to-date paper nautical charts as an immediate fix. Vessels who are required to have an ECDIS should consult with the ECDIS manufacture if the ECDIS is need of service.

The ECDIS provides a great amount of convenience and flexibility to mariners. Previous to its adoption by the industry, mariners were required to purchase charts beforehand, as well as keep an up-to-date inventory of charts mapping their complete route. Using an ECDIS with appropriate back-up provisions allows mariners to have all the electronic charts needed for a voyage, up-to-date with the latest notices to mariners available. So long as proper safeguards are taken, the ECDIS using vector or raster charts is safer, more usable and efficient, than traditional nautical charts, making it the standard today.

If your vessel needs ECDIS charts sign up for a free 90 day trial to our e-Navigation software SPICA today!