IMSML Website Article 31/2023: Resolution MSC.530(106) – Performance Standards for Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS), Part 3 of 3, MODULE C - Interfacing and Integration and Content of the Appendices

This article is Part 3 of 3 and therefore final part of an Article series on MSC.530(106). The contents of today’s article on MODULE C and the Appendices, are as follows:

[1] Connections with Other Equipment;

[2] Power Supply;

[3] Content of the Appendices (ie Appendix 1 to Appendix 7).

[1] Connections with Other Equipment

The performance of any equipment providing sensor inputs should not be degraded by ECDIS, see Section 15.1. The ship’s position fixing system, the gyro compass as well as the speed and distance measuring device should be connected to the ECDIS, see Section 15.2. The ECDIS should be connected to a marine transmitting heading device where the ship is not fitted with a gyro compass, see Section 15.2. Supply of system database information to external equipment may be one of the functionalities of ECDIS, see Section 15.3.

[2] Power Supply

Section 16.1 stipulates that when supplied by an emergency source of electrical power, it should be possible to operate ECDIS and all the equipment necessary for its normal functioning. Note: See the appropriate requirements of SOLAS, Chapter II-1. Changing from one source of power supply to another or any interruption of the supply for a period of up to 45 seconds should not require the equipment to be manually re-initialized, see Section 16.2.

[3] Content of the Appendices (ie Appendix 1-7)

There are seven Appendices in the Annex:

Appendix 1 - Reference Documents

Appendix 2 - System Database Information Available for Display During Route Planning and Monitoring

Appendix 3 - Navigational Elements and Parameters

Appendix 4 - Areas for which Special Conditions Exist

Appendix 5 - Alerts and Indicators

Appendix 6 - Back-up Requirements

Appendix 7 - RCS Mode of Operation

Appendix 1 - Reference Documents

This contains resolutions of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) such as Resolution A.694(17) on Recommendations on general requirements for shipborne radio equipment forming part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and for electronic navigational aids. There are also IMO Assembly resolutions, for example Resolution A.694(17) on Recommendations on general requirements for shipborne radio equipment forming part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and for electronic navigational aids. Appendix 1 also curates Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR) documents, such as SN.1/Circ.243/Rev.2 on Guidelines for the presentation of navigation-related symbols, terms and abbreviations.

There is also a long list of IHO publications, for example IHO Publication S-57, IHO Transfer Standard for Digital Hydrographic Data IHO Publication S-100, and IHO Universal Hydrographic Data Model. International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) documents are also represented here, such as IEC Publication 60945, General Requirements for Shipborne Radio Equipment Forming Part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System and Marine Navigational Equipment, and IEC Publication 61162, Digital lnterfaces – Navigation and Radiocommunication Equipment On board Ship.

Appendix 2 - System Database Information Available for Display During Route Planning and Monitoring

Appendix 2 starts with the display base to be permanently shown on the ECDIS display. This includes amongst others coastline (high water), own ship's safety contour, isolated underwater dangers of depths less than the safety contour which lie within the safe waters defined by the safety contour, isolated dangers which lie within the safe water defined by the safety contour, such as fixed structures, overhead wires, etc., scale, range and north arrow, units of depth and height; and display mode.

Next is the provision of what is a ‘standard display’ such as display base; drying line; buoys, beacons, other aids to navigation and fixed structures; boundaries of fairways, channels, etc.; visual and radar conspicuous features; prohibited and restricted areas; chart scale boundaries; indication of cautionary notes; ships' routing systems and ferry routes; and archipelagic sea lanes.

‘Other Information’ available on demand also documented here include spot soundings; submarine cables and pipelines; details of all isolated dangers; details of aids to navigation; contents of cautionary notes; ENC edition date; most recent chart update number; magnetic variation; graticule; and place names.

Appendix 3 - Navigational Elements and Parameters

The details found here include the following: Own ship (Past track with time marks for primary track, and Past track with time marks for secondary track); Vector for course and speed made good; Variable range marker and/or electronic bearing line; Cursor; Event (Dead reckoning position and time (DR), and Estimated position and time (EP) ); Fix and time; Position line and time; Transferred position line and time; Tidal data; Danger highlight; Clearing line; Planned course and speed to make good; Waypoint; Distance to run; Planned position with date and time; Position and time of "wheel over".

Appendix 4 - Areas for which Special Conditions Exist

The following are the areas which ECDIS should detect and provide an alert or indication under sections 11.3.7 and 11.4.4: Traffic separation zone Inshore traffic zone; Restricted area Caution area; Offshore production area; Areas to be avoided; User defined areas to be avoided Military practice area; Seaplane landing area; Submarine transit lane; Anchorage area; Marine farm/aquaculture; Particularly sensitive sea area (PSSA).

Appendix 5 - Alerts and Indicators

This Appendix documents the various types of alerts and indicators. An ‘Alert’ is an ‘Audible and/or visual announcement of a condition requiring attention. Priorities of alert are alarm, warning and caution’. By contrast, an ‘Indication’ is a ‘Visual indication giving information about the condition of a system or equipment’.

An example of an ‘alarm is found in Section 11.4.3, where there is passing closer than the set distance from the safety contour. Section 11.4.13 is an example of a ‘warning’ where there is different geodetic datum. For Section 6.1.1, an ‘indication’ is given form information overscale. Sometimes, both a ‘warning’ and an ‘indication’ is given. For example under Section 13.2 for malfunction of ECDIS.

Appendix 6 - Back-up Requirements

Back up arrangements include: Facilities enabling a safe takeover of the ECDIS functions in order to ensure that an ECDIS failure does not result in a critical situation; and a means to provide for safe navigation for the remaining part of the voyage in case of ECDIS failure. The test is critical systems are not compromised in the event of ECDIS failure. Back up covers route planning, route planning, route monitoring, display information, the provision of chart information, updating, scale, and voyage recording. Back up arrangements should be ‘reliable’ and ‘accurate’. It should also provide warnings, alerts and indications. Ergonomics are a fundamental requirement of ECDIS back-up. In particular size of the presentation and its colour. Last but not least, seamless connection with other equipment.

Appendix 7 - RCS Mode of Operation

When operating in RCDS mode, an appropriate portfolio of up-to-date paper charts (APC) should be carried on board and be readily available to the mariner. RCDS should provide appropriate alerts or indications with respect to the information displayed or malfunction of the equipment. Note that RCDS is the Raster chart display system a navigation information system displaying RNCs with positional information from navigation sensors to assist the mariner in route planning and route monitoring, and if required, display additional navigation-related information. Further RNCs a facsimile of a paper chart originated by, or distributed on the authority of, a government-authorized hydrographic office. RNC is used in these standards to mean either a single chart or a collection of charts.

Thank you for reading IMSML Website Article 31/2023

Stay tuned for the next IMSML Website Article 32/2023: MSN04/2023 - Issuance of Blue Card Certificate for International Convention CLC 1992, BCC 2001 and WRC 2007, as well as Updated List of P7I Clubs and Insurance Service Provider Companies Recognised by Malaysia Marine Department

Signing-off for today,

Dr Irwin Ooi Ui Joo, LL.B(Hons.)(Glamorgan); LL.M (Cardiff); Ph.D (Cardiff); CMILT

Professor of Maritime and Transport Law

Head of the Centre for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution

Faculty of Law

Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam

Selangor, Malaysia

Friday, 13 October 2023

Note that I am the corresponding author for the IMSML Website Articles. My official email address is: uijoo310@uitm.edu.my