ECDIS Glossary
ECDIS Glossary
Abort point
The point on the passage beyond which there is
no sufficient sea room to turn back the vessel.
When approaching or entering a port or
procedding in a channel, the width of the
channel may not be sufficent to turn the vessel.
The point where width of the channel becomes
narrow enough that vessel cannot make a turn
would be called Abort point.
Accuracy
The extent to which a measured or enumerated
value agrees with the assumed or accepted value.
Activated target
A target representing the automatic or manual
activation of a sleeping AIS target for the display
of additional information
AIO
Admiralty Information Overlay published by
United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO).
AIS
Automatic Identification System
Anti-clutter rain:
Rain/snow clutter suppression
Anti-clutter sea :
Sea clutter suppression
Alarm
In ECDIS a device or system which alerts by
audible means, or audible and visual means, a
condition requiring attention.
Anti-grounding Cone/Safety
Frame/Lookahead
This function monitors a detection area ahead
of the ship for hazards to navigation. This
detection area may have a different name
depending on the manufacturer, but common
terms include 'safety frame', 'safety cone',
'lookahead window', 'anti-grounding cone' and
'danger detection'.
Glossary
APEM
The APEM methodology, described in IMO Resolution A.893
(21), nominates appraisal, planning, execution and
monitoring as the key stages of passage planning.
ARCS
Admiralty Raster Chart Service. A raster chart published by
UKHO Associated target: A target simultaneously
representing a tracked target and a AIS target which are
decided as the same
Attribute
A characteristic of an object. It is implemented by a defined
attribute label/code, acronym, definition and applicable
values. In the data structure, the attribute is identified by
its label/code. The acronym is only used as a quick reference
in related documents and in
ENC Product Specification. Attributes are either qualitative
or quantitative.
Automatic updating
Either the semi-automatic or the fully automatic means of
updating the ENC/SENC.
Auto sail
The system automatically navigates to keep the scheduled
route. Same as automatic sailing.
AZ
Acquisition/Activation zone
AZI
Azimuth stabilization mode
Base CD
Chart CD containing a complete chart data
BCR/BCT
Bow Crossing Range/Bow Crossing Time
Best Scale
The IMO priority for chart selection is ENC over all other
formats (ie RNC). The IMO state that where EN Cs are not
available or are not of appropriate scale, RNC charts should
be carried. 'Appropriate chart' is considered the largest
scale chart available and the most up to date. Therefore if a
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scale 5 ENC is up to date, it would be considered
'Best Scale' chart for a harbour. If there is no ENC
for that harbour, the RNC harbour chart
equivalent would be considered 'Appropriate
chart' and the ship would be navigating in RCDS
mode.
CATZOC (Category of Zone of
Confidence)
CATZOC provides the user with an indication of
data accuracy and survey type conducted for the
area.
Caution
Lowest priority of an alert. Awareness of a
condition which does not warrant a alarm or
warning condition, but still requires attention out
of the ordinary consideration of the situation or of
given information.
CCRP
As set by IMO regulations, a Consistent Common
Reference Point (CCRP) is a location on own ship,
to which all horizontal measurements, such as
target range, bearing, relative course/speed,
closest point of approach, or time to closest point
of approach are referenced.
Cell
The basic unit for the distribution of ENC data
covering a defined geographical area bounded by
two meridians and two parallels, the content of
which must not exceed 5 Mbytes, and which is
intended for a particular navigational purpose.
Cell Permit
A file containing an encryption key for S-63 chart.
Supplied by UKHO, PRIMAR STAVANGER, and
Hydrographic and Oceanographic Department of
Japan Coast Guard.
Chart datum
A permanently established surface from which
soundings or tide heights are referenced. Short
for chart sounding datum. Note: A plane so low
that the tide will not frequently fall below it.
Chart
A chart specifically designed to meet the
requirements of marine navigation, showing
depths of water, nature of bottom, elevations,
configuration and characteristics of coast, dangers
and aids to navigation. Note: The carriage of up-
to-date charts (plus certain other nautical
publications) by vessels at sea is a mandatory
requirement of SOLAS regulation V 20. The term nautical
chart may be applied also to a specially compiled data base
(e.g., the ENC), from which such a map can be displayed.
Chart Maintenance
Software to manage the charts. Imports and updates the
charts.
Chirp
A type of transmission waveform with intra-pulse frequency
modulation used by solid-state radars. Its radio wave type is
classified as Q0N.
Clearing Lines (NMT, NLT)
A clearing line divides the chart in to one area that contains
hazards and another that is safe. (Not more than, Not less
than) These are bearings of a charted object such that
staying on one side of the bearing line keeps you in safe
water.
Clutter
Excess information or noise data on a display reducing its
readability. Note: E.g., information overload on a chart, or
confusing unwanted wave echoes on a radar display.
C-MAP
Digital chart data by Jeppesen (formerly, C-MAP, Norway)
C-MAP Ed.3
C-MAP Edition 3. A digital chart format by Jeppesen
(formerly, C-MAP, Norway)
CTS
Course to Steer. Heading command.
COG
Course Over the Ground
CORREL
CORRELation
Compilation
In cartography, the selection, assembly, and graphic
presentation of all relevant information required for the
preparation of a new map/chart or a new edition thereof.
Such information may be derived from other maps/charts,
aerial photographs, surveys, new data, and other sources.
Compilation scale
The scale at which the ENC data was compiled.
Conditional Symbology Procedure (CSP)
A decision-making procedure used to link an object-class
and its attributes to a symbol. Used in cases where the
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ECDIS Glossary
symbol depends on system configuration, Mariner
options and the objects spatial relationship to
other features (e.g. whether a wreck is
symbolized as an "isolated danger" depends on
its relationship to the safety contour chosen by
the Mariner) or where symbolization is complex
(e.g. light sector).
CPA/TCPA
Distance to the Closest Point of Approach/Time to
the Closest Point of Approach.
Cumulative update
The collection of all sequential correction
information which has been issued since the last
new edition of the ENC or since the last official
update applied to the SENC.
Cursor-pick
The process of querying a point-symbol, line or
area for further information from the data base
which is not represented by the symbol.
Curved Heading Line (Curved EBL)
Curved EBL is a design and control tool to start a
turn at correct position and to monitor behaviour
of the own ship during turn. The Curved EBL is
available on ECDIS screen and on some selected
ARPA radar displays.
CTW
Course Through Water. The direction of the ship's
movement through the water
C UP
Course up. Own ship’s course is pointed to the top
center of the radar display.
Data Server
Organization providing S-63 chart
Date dependant objects
There are several objects within the Marine
environment, which are seasonal, such as racing
buoys. These objects are only to be displayed over
a certain period. Any object with one of the above
attributes must not be displayed outside its
effective dates unless requested by the Mariner.
Datum (geodetic)
A set of parameters specifying the reference
surface or the reference coordinate system used
for geodetic control in the calculation of
coordinates of points on the earth. Commonly
datums are defined as horizontal and vertical datums
separately. For a local geodetic datum the reference surface
is defined by five parameters: The latitude and longitude of
an initial point, the azimuth of a line from this point, and the
parameters of the reference spheroid. Absolute datums
specify the initial point of the reference ellipsoid to be
(ideally) located at the earth’s center of mass. For modern
reference systems using datum information given by
satellites, additional parameters are defined, e.g. gravity
models.
Deep Contour
Indicates the limit of sea area where shallow water effects
occur that can affect a vessel. It should be estimated twice
or four times the draught of vessel (depending on the depth
of water available)
Differential System
An augmentation system whereby radio-navigation signals
are monitored at a known position and the corrections so
determined are transmitted to users in the coverage area.
[GNSS]
Display
A visual presentation of data. Note: For example, a
presentation of a line of alphanumeric data, a window, or
the entire screen.
Display category
The ECDIS performance Standards establish three categories
for SENC objects:
• Display Base: permanently retained on the display;
• Standard Display: displayed at switch-on, recalled by
single operator action.
• All other information: displayed individually (by class) on
demand.
Display Base
Display base is a permanently shown, irremovable list of
minimum objects on the ECDIS display, including coastline,
Safety Contour and selected planned route. This is
categorised as vital information required at all times, in all
circumstances, in any geographical location.
DIST
Distance
DNV
Det Norske Veritas
Docking Mode
The Docking option is an additional software module that
can be added to ECDIS and Planning Station applications.
Information about the vessel such as the heading and past
and predicted ship positions are displayed on the chart. At
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the same time a panel next to the chart provides
relevant data for docking.
DOP
Describes the error caused by the relative position
of the GPS satellites. Basically, the more signals a
GPS receiver can “see” (spread apart versus close
together), the more precise it can be.
DR
Dead Reckoning
Drift
The current velocity for manual correction or the
current speed on the horizontal axis of the 2-axis
log is displayed.
Drift Angle
The drift angle at any point along the length of the
ship is defined as the angle between the centre
line of the ship and the tangent to the path of the
point concerned.
Dynamic License
Dynamic licensing of C-Map chart license by
Jeppesen
EBL
Electronic Bearing Line
Electronic chart
Very broad term to describe the data, the
software, and the electronic system, capable of
displaying chart information. An electronic chart
may or may not be equivalent to the paper chart
required by SOLAS.
ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and
Information System)
The IMO ECDIS Performance Standards (IMO
Resolution A.817(19)) defines ECDIS as:
"Electronic Chart Display and Information System
(ECDISm) eans a navigation information system
which, with adequate back up arrangements, can
be accepted as complying with the up-to-date
chart required by regulation V/19 & V/27 of the
1974 SOLAS Convention, by displaying selected
information from navigation sensors to assist the
mariner in route planning and route monitoring,
and by displaying additional navigation-related
information if required."
ECS
(Electronic Chart System)Generic term for
equipment which displays chart data but which is not
intended to comply with the IMO Performance Standards
for ECDIS, and is not intended to satisfy the SOLAS Chapter V
requirement to carry a navigational chart.
ENC (Electronic Navigational Chart)
An ENC is a Government Hydrographic Office approved
vector chart.
ENC Scale Number
To ensure consistency, and thus contribute to improved
display, most ENCs are assigned to one of the IHO’s
recommended standard compilation scales. These are
defined within the IHO’s S-65 publication, together with an
example of the navigational purpose to which each ENC
scale may be assigned.
ENC available Safety Contour
This safety value is the one available in the chart and may
or may not be the one entered by the operator. If the
chart does not provide a contour for the depth specified
by the operator, the system selects the next available
deeper contour.
ENC Point symbol
The symbols for point objects are generally based on the
traditional paper chart symbols
ENH
Enhance
ETA
Estimated Time of Arrival
ETD
Estimated Time of Departure
F.ETA
Final Estimated Time of Arrival. Estimated time of arrival to
the last WPT
F Distance (Advance)
The execution point wherein the ship actually starts to turn
after wheel-over and overcoming inertia. This can be found
out from the wheelhouse poster of your ship
Frequency deviation range
The range of variation of the Q0N frequency used for
transmission waves of a solid-state radar. Generally, the
greater the frequency deviation range, the higher the
resolution in the range direction.
Geographic Information System (GIS)
A computer based system for handling and integrating data
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ECDIS Glossary
from a variety of sources which is directly or
indirectly spatially referenced to Earth.
Geometric primitive
One of the three basic geometric units of
representation: point, line and area.
GC
Great Circle
GPS
Global Positioning System
HCRF
An HCRF is a hydrographic chart raster format
(HCRF). These charts are scanned from paper
charts and are formatted as a set of one or more
panels.
HDG
Heading. Ship’s heading
HDOP
The effect of the DOP on the horizontal position
value. The more good visible satellites low in the
sky, the better the HDOP and the horizontal
position (Latitude and Longitude) are.
HL
Heading Line
Hover-over Function
This function was introduced by Presentation
Library 4.0 and enables the ECDIS operator to
access information by hovering the cursor over
the item to be interrogated. This function is
limited to buoys, beacons, lights, landmarks,
information and date dependent symbols.
HSC
High Speed Craft. Vessels which comply with the
definition in SOLAS for high speed craft
H UP
Head up. Own ship’s heading line is always
pointed to the top center of the radar display.
Hydrographic and Oceanographic
Department
Hydrographic and Oceanographic Department of
Japan Coast Guard. Publisher of ENC
IHO
International Hydrographic Office
IMO
International Maritime Organization Import (Chart
Maintenance): A procedure of enabling the chart supplied
by Base CD to be displayed on ECDIS
Impossible Turn
Alarm at a waypoint during passage plan creation in ECDIS
caused by either the turn radius or speed being inapropriate
or the distance between waypoints is too small.
Interswitch Unit
A device to switch over two or more radar display units and
two or more radar antennas
Initial Safety Contour Vale Value
The default safety contour if not specified by the mariner is
set to 30m.
Instant Track
The instant track feature can create, in route monitoring, a
simple route in the following situations:
• Safe Off Track - Temporarily deviate from the monitored
route (avoid collision, etc.).
• Back to Track - Return to the monitored route when the
vessel goes outside the channel limits.
IR
Radar Interference Rejecter
Isolated Danger in Shallow Water
If the mariner selects the option "show isolated dangers in
shallow water", ECDIS should highlight with the isolated
danger symbol all rocks, wrecks, obstructions, which lie in
'unsafe' shallow waters between the safety contour and the
drying line.
Isolated Danger in Safe Water
According to the IMO MSC 232, appendix 2, obstructions or
isolated underwater dangers of depths less than the safety
contour which lie within the safe waters defined by the
safety contour are to be presented by a specific isolated
danger symbol and put in IMO category "DISPLAY BASE".
ISW
Inter Switch unit
Layer
A group of related information displayed as a whole.
LAT
Latitude
Lateral Speed (cm/sec)
Ships move laterally when turning because the pivot point is
5
not located at the ship’s centre. When moving
forward and turning to starboard, the ship’s
lateral movement is to port. When moving astern
and turning to starboard, lateral movement is to
starboard. It is important to understand where
the pivot point lies and how lateral movement can
cause sideways drift, knowledge which is essential
when manoeuvring close to hazards.
Leg
Line between two consecutive waypoints
LMT
Local Mean Time
LON
Longitude
Lost tracked target
One for which target information is no longer
available due to poor, lost or obscured signals.
Local datum
Any geodetic datum defined for national purposes
other than WGS84 which is adopted for use with
ECDIS.
Log file
A record of updates, including time of application
and identification parameters described in
Appendix 1 of S-52.
Look-up table
A table giving symbology instructions to link SENC
objects to point, line or area symbolization, and
providing display priority, radar priority, IMO
category and optional viewing group.
LP
Long Pulse
Manual updating
The manual application of corrections to ENC data
in the SENC by a human operator, usually based
on unformatted update information (such as
printed NM, voice radio, etc.). Note: In order for
the SENC to accept manual updates, the update
information must be entered in a structured way
at least compatible with the relevant ECDIS
standards.
Mariner’s information
Information originated by and entered by the
mariner to the SENC, e.g. area of strong currents.
Mariner’s navigational objects
Features, other than chart objects, such as the own ship
symbol and velocity vector, planned route, electronic
bearing lines, etc from Appendix 3 of the Performance
Standards for ECDIS, which are specified in IEC document
61174.
Mariner-added Objects
Mariner-added objects are used in passage planning to
add symbols, lines and areas as a layer to highlight
information in the ENC. They provide information that
includes navigational warnings, local Notices to Mariners
and relevant explanatory notes relating to the route.
MED
Marine Equipment Directive. Request standard for
standardization of marine equipment within the EU region
MFD
Abbreviation of this equipment name. The formal name is
Multi Function Display. The navigation support functions
such as radar, ECDIS, CID, and AMS with this equipment can
be executed by switching.
MMSI
Maritime Mobile Service Identity
MOB
Man Over Board
MON
Performance Monitor
MP
Medium Pulse
Navigational aid
An instrument, device, chart, method, etc., used onboard
intended to assist in the navigation of a vessel.
Navigation mode
The principle mode of operation providing a constant
display of own ship’s position on the display. It includes own
ship’s position (symbol, vector, and track), SENC, EBL and
range marker, cursor, ARPA tracked targets, AIS targets, trail
maneuver results, wheel over points, route planning, arcs
and limits of lights.
Navigational purpose
The specific purpose for which a chart cell has been
compiled. There are six such purposes, namely berthing,
harbor, approach, coastal, general and overview.
Non-official vector format charts
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ECDIS Glossary
Vector representation of hydrographic data in
proprietary formats developed by private
companies, generally based on official HO
surveys, and available for use in ECS and
CDIS only by specific license agreements
Non-navigable waters
Non-Navigable waters are a value set by the
operator with the Shallow water contour. This is
depicted with dark Blue colour and indicates the
grounding depth (this is the depth below which
the ship will go aground).
NM
Nautical Mile 1 nm = 1852 m
NMEA (National Marine Electronics
Association)
NMEA is the standard data exchange format
used by bridge equipment.
N UP
The north is always pointed to the top center of
the radar display. (North up)
Object Catalogue
The Object Catalogue is the feature schema for S-
57. Its primary function is to provide a description
of real world entities. It contains a list of feature
object classes (each relating to a real world
entity), attributes and allowable attribute values.
Operator/Mariner Input value Safety
Contour
This Safety Contour is used to define safe
navigable water. This safety value should be
calculated during the planning phase and
entered in the ECDIS by the ECDIS operator. If
the chart does not provide a contour for the
depth specified, the system selects the next
available deeper contour.
Official updates
Updates provided in digital format by the Issuing
Authority of the ENC being corrected, for
integration with the ENC data in the SENC.
Orientation
The mode in which information on the ECDIS is
being presented. Typical modes include:
• North-up: as shown on a nautical chart, north is
at the top of the display.
• Ship’s head-up: based on the actual
gyrocompass heading of the ship.
• Course-up display: based on the course or route being
taken.
Overscale
To display the chart information at a display scale larger
than the compilation scale. Overscaling may arise from a
deliberate overscaling by the mariner, or from automatic
overscaling by ECDIS in compiling a display when the data
included is of various navigational purposes. Note: An
indication is provided only for the partial overscale area of
the display.
Own ship’s symbol
A non-chart symbol used in ARPA and ECDIS to show the
ship’s position on the chart or ARPA display.
P0N
Unmodulated pulse, which is a type of transmission radio
wave. While it is a type of radio wave usually used by radars
equipped with magnetrons, radio waves with a short pulse
length are used also by solid-state radars for short-range
detection.
Past positions
Equally time-spaced past position marks of a tracked or AIS
target and the own ship.
PI
Parallel Index line
Pick Report
A pick report, accessed by clicking on a specific object or
location, allows for additional information and details
relating to the selected item to be viewed.
Pixel
Contraction for “picture element”. The smallest element
resolvable by electronic raster devices such as scanner,
display, and plotter.
Pivot point
A ship rotates about a point situated along its length, called
the ‘pivot point’. When a force is applied to a ship that has
the result of causing the ship to turn (eg the rudder), the
ship will turn around a vertical axis that is conveniently
referred to as the pivot point. The position of the pivot point
depends on a number of influences. With headway, the
pivot point lies between 1/4 and 1/3 of the ship’s length
from the bow, and with sternway, it lies a corresponding
distance from the stern. In the case of a ship without
headway through the water but that is turning, its position
will depend on the magnitude and position of the applied
force(s), whether resulting from the rudder, thrusters, tug,
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wind or other influence. The pivot point traces the
path that the ship follows.
PMN (Primary Means of Navigation)
Means ECDIS may be used as the primary
means of navigation and is accepted as
complying with the up to date chart carriage
requirement of Chapter V of the SOLAS. To
qualify as the PMN, the equipment must be
type approved and certified by the relevant flag
State as complying with the IMO Performance
Standard for ECDIS. Any system that has not
undergone type approval and certification is
known as an electronic chart system (ECS) and,
while it can be used as an aid to navigation, it is
not suitable for use as the PMN.
POSN
POSitioN
Point of no return
Point of no return is not related to the width of
the channel or turning of the vessel. With point of
no return, there may be sufficient sea room to
turn the vessel but the vessel cannot return to
where it came from because the conditions have
now changed. (Low tide)
Power amplifier
A radio frequency amplifier circuit consisting of
semiconductor elements used for solid-state
radars. It employs a high frequency, high power
FET.
PRF
Pulse Repetition Frequency. The number of radar
pulses transmitted each second.
Precision
The degree of refinement of a value. Not to be
confused with accuracy.
Predictor
The Predictor is a tool for estimating own ship's
future positions and behavior, and it is available
on the status bar.
PRIMAR STAVENGER
A Norwegian company supplying charts.
Publisher of encrypted charts, S-63
Primary
Main positioning sensor
PROC
PROCess. Radar signal processing function
Presentation Library 4.0
The required version of the Presentation Library, which
replaced Presentation Library 3.4 and contains updates
such as improved alert managements and new symbols.
Presentation Library 4.0 mandated the inclusion of a date
dependent object function and use of the hover-over
function. Presentation Library 4.0 of the 'HO ECDIS
Presentation Library came into effect from 1st
September 2017.
Presentation Library (PL)
The Presentation Library provides details and procedures
for implementing the specifications contained in Annex A
of S-52, by decoding and symbolising the elements of the
SENC.
Q0N
A type of radio wave with intra-pulse frequency modulation.
It is used for solid-state pulse compression radars.
Radar beacon
A navigation aid which responds to the radar transmission
and generates radio wave
Radar Information Overlay (RIO)
This is an overlay of radar data on an ECDIS. It can be
used to monitor own ship's position relative to the
planned route in coastal and pilotage waters.
Raster
A regular array with information pertaining to each element
(pixel) or group of elements.
Raster data presentation
Method of representing all, or part, of a chart digitally by a
matrixlike scheme of pixels.
Range
An area of the chart displayed on the screen. Represented
by one half of the length of the chart display screen.
Resolution
Capability of depicting detail, represented by the smallest
distance apart at which two objects can be seen to be
separate. Depends on pixel size, i.e. screen dimension
divided by number of pixels.
Reference target
A fixed target specified to calculate the speed over the
ground
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ECDIS Glossary
Relative vector
A predicted movement of a target relative to own
ship’s motion
Report
User report to be issued periodically for using the
Dynamic License method of Jeppesen
continuously
RL
Rhumb Line
RM
Relative Motion. A display on which the position
of own ship remains fixed, and all targets move
relative to own ship.
RM(R)
Relative Motion. Relative Trails
RM(T)
Relative Motion. True Trails
Route
A sequence of waypoints and legs.
Route monitoring (also called voyage
monitoring)
A compulsory permanent mode which is run
concurrently with the navigation mode. The
operational navigational ECDIS function in which
the chart information is displayed, under control
of the positioning sensor input, according to the
vessel’s present position (either in true motion or
relative motion display mode). It ensures
continuous tracking, recording, log keeping,
position relative to certain objects, position
relative to route, chart display scale, and retrieval
of auxiliary sensor data.
Route planning
The pre-determination of course, speed,
waypoints and radius in relation to the waters to
be navigated, and in relation to other relevant
information and conditions. Note: See also leg,
route, voyage plan, waypoint.
RoT
Rate of turn indicator on board vessels indicates
the rate a ship is turning. It indicates the rate a
ship is turning in degrees per minute (°/min)
RR
Range Rings
Rubber band
Border that indicates the selected range.
Safe (Navigable) Waters Non-navigable
Defined by The Safety Depth/Safety Contour. These
safety values should be calculated during the planning
phase and entered in the ECDIS by the navigator.
s-52
S-52 specifies the IHO standards for chart content and
display aspects of ECDIS.
s-57
S-57 specifies the IHO transfer standard for digital
hydrographic data.
s-63
S-63 is the IHO data protection scheme. (This scheme is
designed to prevent unauthorised use of data by
encrypting the ENCi nformation and restricting access to
only those cells that a customer has been licensed to
use.)
s-100
S-IOO is the IHO universal hydrographic data model that
provides a contemporary hydrographic geospatial data
standard that can support a wide variety of hydrographic
related digital data sources.
s-101
S-101 is a new ENC product specification. (The S-IOI
Edition 1.0.0 Feature and Portrayal Catalogues are
currently being refined by the [HO.)
SA Certificate file
An electronic file certifying the supplier of S-63 chart.
Required for import/ update of S-63 chart.
SART
Search And Rescue Transponder
Safety Contour Value used during planning stage
and Route Check function
Safety Contour used for planning purpose and route check
function may not use same value which will used during
Monitoring/Execution stage of passage especially due to
different voyage legs (open water, coastal, in port) with
different UKC requirements and other factors (HoT, vessel
speed and squat effect…) The route check should be carried
out using the safety contour settings based on the lowest
permissible UKC required for the voyage. If this results in
too many alarms, it will highlight areas on passage where
the Safety Contour will need to be reviewed.
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Safety margin in route check SOG
SAFETY MARGIN to allow CATZOC accuracy (both Speed Over the Ground
vertical and horizontal) and
GNSS accuracy accordingly, as those corrections SP
are not part of AUTO ROUTE CHECK Short Pulse

Safety Depth and Safety Contour Spot depth

The Safety Depth and Safety Contour are used Numeric representation of depth
to define safe navigable water. These safety
values should be calculated during the planning SSR
phase and entered in the ECDIS by the ECDIS Solid State Radar : Radar that uses semiconductor elements
operator. The Safety Depth function visually instead of magnetron, which requires periodic replacement.
highlights soundings that are less than the It is built with a system that ensures necessary detection
Safety Depth. For the Safety Contour, if the capability even when a transmission output is low, by using
chart does not provide a contour for the depth chirp signals with a long pulse length upon transmission and
specified, the system selects the next available performing pulse compression upon reception
deeper contour.
STAB
Scale STABilization
The display scale
STW
SCAMIN (Scale Minimum) Speed Through Water
Scale minimum, or SCAMIN, determines the
display scale below which an object is no longer
TCS
visible on the ECDIS. SCAMIN values are
Track Control Systems
attributed to each object and their primary
purpose is to prevent clutter when zooming
out. However, SCAMIN can be turned ON/OFF TCPA
by the ECDIS operator. Time to Closest Point of Approach to own ship

Sea state TM
The average height of the wave expressed by True Motion. A display across which the own ship and
dividing into several classes. targets move with their own true motions.

SENC (System Electronic Navigational To WPT

To Waypoint (To WPT)
Chart)
A system electronic navigational chart (SENC) is
the electronic chart derived from the core S-57 Trails
data that a specific ECDIS uses to link with the Tracks displayed by the radar echoes of targets in the form
S-52 Presentation Library. of an afterglow

SET Trial maneuver

The current direction for manual correction or the A graphical simulation facility used to assist the operator to
current speed on the horizontal axis of the 2-axis perform a proposed maneuver for navigation and collision
log is displayed. avoidance purposes

Ship-avoiding operation True vector

To operate the ship in order to avoid obstacles A vector representing the predicted true motion of a target,
during automatic navigation, regardless of the as a result of input of the course and speed of the own ship
scheduled route
TT
Sleeping AIS target Target Tracking
A target indicating the presence and orientation
of a vessel equipped with AIS TTG

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ECDIS Glossary
Time To Go. Time to next waypoint.
TXRX
Transmitter-Receiver Unit
The Shallow contour
The Shallow contour is a contour that divides the
sea area between the 0 depth and the shallow
contour value set by the operator and is therefore
a Non-Navigable area. This is depicted with dark
Blue colour and indicates the grounding depth
(this is the depth below which the ship will go
aground).
Speed
In general, the rate of motion or distance per unit
of time. When used in conjunction
with ECDIS, speed could be either:
• speed of advance (SOA): speed intended to be
made along the track;
• speed over ground (SOG): the speed along the
path actually followed;
• speed made good (SMG): the speed along the
course made good.
standard display See display category.
Supplementary information
Non-chart HO information, e.g., sailing directions,
tide tables, light list.
Time varying object
An object which has one or more attributes, the
value or values of which vary with time. Note: An
example of a time-varying object in S-57 is the geo
object “Tide-Time Series” which gives the times
and height of high and low water.
Track
The intended path and past path of the ship.
When used in conjunction with ECDIS, additional
terminology related to track can include:
• planned route (planned track): intended path
• past track: past path
• cross-track distance: distance right or left of
intended path
Track keeping
Sailing a ship in accordance with a pre-determined
route.
Trial manuever
Trial Maneuver is one of the Automatic Radar
Plotting Aid (ARPA) features implemented in ATD
system and is used in navigation for collision
avoidance. Trial Maneuver simulates the effect of
an own ship maneuver on all tracked targets with or without
time delay.
True distance
Distance on the earth’s surface, based on ellipsoid
calculations.
UKHO
United Kingdom Hydrographic Office
Update (Chart Maintenance)
A procedure of reflecting the update data supplied by
Update CD on the imported chart.
Update CD
Chart CD containing the chart data updated from Base CD.
This can be used when Base CD data has been imported.
USER CODE
A user-specific code assigned by JRC. Required in using ARCS
and S-63 charts.
UTC
Universal Time, Coordinated
Vector
Direct connection between two points, either given as two
sets of coordinates (points), or by direction and distance
from one given set of coordinates, or a point in a vector
space defined by one set of coordinates relative to the
origin of a coordinate system.
Vector data presentation
Method of representing individual chart features digitally by
points, lines and polygons given through their coordinates
and appropriate code(s).
Visual (manual) Route Check
Requires operator to:
• execute visual check on each available ENC scales
for specific navigational area
• use of ENC compilation/original/best scale
• use of ALL/Other display mode
• considered extra caution for hazards obscured by
overlapping ENCs
• interrogate the properties of the ISOLATED
DANGER SYMBOL by using pick up report in order
to assess the risk
Voyage plan
A defined series of waypoints, legs and routes.
VDR - Voyage recording
ECDIS capability to store and to reproduce certain minimum
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elements required to reconstruct the navigation
and verify the official data base used during the
previous 12 hours.

VRM
Variable Range Marker

Warning
An alarm or indicator.

Waypoint
In conjunction with route planning, a geographical
location (e.g., latitude and longitude) indicating a
significant event on a vessel’s planned route (e.g.,
course alteration point, calling in point, etc.).

WOL
Wheel Over Line

WOP
Wheel Over Point

World Geodetic System (WGS)

A global geodetic reference system developed by
the USA for satellite position fixing and
recommended by IHO for hydrographic and
cartographic use.

WPT
Waypoint

WPT-WPT
The division of the leg specified by two points.
Displays data between two consecutive
waypoints.

XTD/Safety Corridor
The ECDIS operator will specify the XTD on
either side of the planned track to show the
boundary of the safety corridor.

XTL
Cross Track Limit

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