Electronic Chart Systems – type approval and

functionality aspects

AIS/05 Conference
17-18 October 2005
Seattle, USA

By
Andrey Vorobiev
Transas Technologies Ltd, St.Peterburg, Russia
Electronic Chart Systems

RTCM(Radio Technical Commission for

Maritime Services)
RECOMMENDED STANDARDS FOR
ELECTRONIC CHART SYSTEMS (ECS) –
2002:
“Electronic Chart System (ECS). A
navigation information system that
electronically displays vessel position and
relevant nautical chart data and
information from the ECS Database on a
display screen, but does not meet all the
IMO requirements for an Electronic Chart
Display and Information System (ECDIS). “
Electronic Chart Systems
History of related standards and approvals:

 1993: RTCM standard.

 1994: Type approval procedure in Russia – 7
systems approved
 1996: Type approval procedure in Germany – 14
systems approved
 2002: RTCM standard version 3.
 2003: ISO13979 ECS Databases – content, quality,
updating and testing (ISO/TC8 SC6)
 Now: Draft IEC62376 prepared by IEC TC80 WG7
ECS Type Approval in Russia

 1994: Federal Maritime administration of

Russia DMT -29/53 – 42 Performance
standard for Electronic Chart Systems
 Reference to IMO Resolution A.694 (17)
 Functional requirements
 Database requirements.
 7 systems were approved as ECS by
Federal Maritime administration.
ECS Type approval in Germany
 Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH)
started approvals in 1996
 Tests were carried out and approval granted in
accordance with para 20 of the ships safety
decree in the publication of October 21, 1994
(BGBL. I S 3281) 
 Reference to IMO Resolution A.694 (17)
 Functional requirements
 After SOLAS amendments adoption aprovals were
based on new V/18.7 (Testing is based on ECDIS
Requirements but with limitations as applicable)
 Use of ECS is limited for information purposes
 14 systems were approved as ECS by BSH.
SOLAS V/18.7

“When equipment, for which performance

standards have been developed by the
Organization, is carried on ships in
addition to those items of equipment
required by regulations 19 and 20, such
equipment shall be subject to approval and
shall as far as practicable comply with
performance standards not inferior to
those adopted by the Organization.”
Electronic Chart Systems

Real time
information
combination
(especially on
geographical
display)
Electronic Chart Systems

Cognitive
methods of
information cross-
check
Electronic Chart Systems

 Weather forecasts
 Route optimization
 Environmental
information
 Receipt and processing
of NavTex notifications
 Receipt, processing
and advanced
operation with
AIS data
 Tidal information
 Surface currents
Electronic Chart Systems – Collection maintenance

Compatibility with ENC from official

sources (both ENC/SENC)
Compatibility with RNC from official/
private sources
Worldwide coverage of vector charts
from commercial sources
Weekly/Bi-weekly updates via
Internet or on disks
On line update service (incremental
updates)
On line purchasing of new coverage
Manual updates
Alternative means for update
information integration (e.g NAVTEX
interface)
Online chart collection maintenance
Electronic Chart Systems – Collection maintenance

 NAVTEX
Automatic reading and
processing of Navtex
messages
Automatic plotting of
Navtex objects on the
electronic chart
Saving Navtex data onto
hard disk
Automatic alarm
generation on
approaching a Navtex-
identified danger
Electronic Chart Systems & (U)AIS
Electronic Chart Systems & (U)AIS
Electronic Chart Systems & (U)AIS
Electronic Chart Systems & (U)AIS

Gothenburg area. 30-40 ships with AIS were identified.

Most vessels transmit correctly only dynamic data from sensors.
Voyage and vessel related data supposed to be entered by the
navigator was undefined or incorrect in all cases except 3 vessels:
Electronic Chart Systems & (U)AIS

Gothenburg area. 30-40 ships with AIS were identified.

In many cases, vessel navigational status was transmitted incorrectly.
There were “moored vessels” sailing with speeds of over 16knots,
“underway using the engine” moored to the pier etc.
Electronic Chart Systems & (U)AIS
Electronic Chart Systems & (U)AIS

Use of MKD in traffic surveillance and collision avoidance routines.

It would be necessary for the navigator to compare the picture on

primary navigation radar graphical display AND alphanumerical
information related to vessels on the MKD.
Electronic Chart Systems & (U)AIS
Electronic Chart Systems & (U)AIS

1.    Benefits of integration.

  -        AIS targets are shown together
with raw radar video
 -        Preprocessing of all data which
allows quick and automated tools for
information fusion
 -        Prompt access to information
 -        Data archiving
 -        Selectable level of target
identification
 -        Explicit graphic target
presentation
 -        Access to additional
information services such as
weather, real time tidal information
(based on local binary messages)
 -        Automated or automatic input
of status and voyage related data
into AIS for transmission.      
Electronic Chart Systems & (U)AIS
Electronic Chart Systems - PlayBack

The following types of

data can be stored with
Navi-Sailor 3000:
 Own ship and ARPA and
(U)AIS target tracks
 Raw radar picture
 Full system operation log
Applications:
 Onboard briefing (replay of
previous passages)
 Analysis of emergency
situations
 OPTIONAL evidence in court
Electronic Chart Systems & (U)AIS

 Most of AIS installations use MKD as the

only display of AIS data
 Number of radars capable to display AIS
will be limited
 Radar with AIS interface is unlikely to
provide access to information services
provided via local binary messaging
 :ECS may be an efficient and cost effective
solution to ensure integrated use of AIS
and to improve situation awareness as well
as to give access to AIS information
services
Electronic Chart Systems - Criteria

 Flag state position for ECS carriage if

applicable
 Type approved
 Compatible with reliable chart suppliers
(both official and unofficial)
 System or Software
 AIS integration is critical + Radar overlay
 Service arrangements
 Feedback from onboard use if any
 Upgrade path to ECDIS if applicable
THANK YOU!

Andrey.Vorobiev@transas.com