The Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) became the central navigational tool on modern ships. The system comprises numerous navigational and other components, each of them with its limitations and reliability. Due to ECDIS's revolutionary features, navigators are tempted to place excessive reliance on the system. Such reliance on it as a sole navigational aid is undoubtedly a problematic issue. The proposed paper is a segment of a systematically carried out research among ECDIS stakeholders. ECDIS EHO (Experience, Handling, and Opinion) research aims through research activities based on a user-centred approach to develop and improve the educational framework. The overreliance on the ECDIS system motivated the proposed research, which focused on system users' opinions and practice regarding confirmation of the accuracy of information displayed on ECDIS, particularly concerning positional sensors. Analysis of answers collected by the ECDIS EHO questionnaire represents a backbone of the research supported by previous achievements. The answers have been categorized and discussed, revealing certain worrying aspects referring to the system's positional error experienced by users. Furthermore, preferred methods of cross-checking ECDIS information have been identified and have differed among respondents based on their rank on board. Additionally, answers indicate certain doubts between users’ interpretation of the best confirmation method and the actual selection of the used method. The importance of cross-checking navigational data in avoiding overreliance and maintaining situational awareness has been presented in the conclusion chapter and the proposal for further work.
Besides its obvious benefits, the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) continues to develop as a sophisticated, complex system. With ever-growing features and the integration of external data and sources, it is nowadays normally considered as one among the compact elements forming a part of an even more complex Integrated Navigation System (INS). The ECDIS handling requires a certain level of technical knowledge and operational skills to be gained, besides the usual navigational background. In order to utilize the system efficiently and safely, the navigator has to obtain several levels of education. The Generic ECDIS Training (GT), as defined in the respective International Maritime Organization (IMO) Model Course, introduces the navigator with fundamental, required operational (however introductory) and theoretical knowledge. Apart from the GT, there is an optional, ECDIS manufacturer-approved Equipment Specific Training (EST). The latter represents a special type of training where the navigator improves its theoretical knowledge, understanding, and proficiency, together with competence demonstration on a specific approved ECDIS model. This paper elaborates the dynamics of worldwide regulations pertaining to the ECDIS Education and Training (EET) plan. The reference is given to training procedures in the Republic of Croatia, placing its educational framework in the broader context. Although it is of a non-mandatory nature, the EST is unofficially considered that way, and there is a stable and reasonable ground to consider the opinions and arguments of the navigators who prefer the EST. This is also supported by the fact that there is a large number of approved systems on the market. Apart from fulfilling the performance standards regulated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), ECDIS models differ significantly regarding handling, interface, and interpretation of data and information, therefore biasing the required knowledge and the purposefulness of the system. The survey among navigational ranks was used to support the study and to relate the existing programs with the actual navigational situation. The motivation was the consideration of the current relationship between defined EET programs, their inequalities, and the actual user needs, referring to the systematisation of the fulfillment of the system as a basic navigation tool. The selected questions referred to the possession of ECDIS certificates and basic education and knowledge, and the navigational ranks’ opinions regarding the opportunity to enhance their knowledge during the EST. The latter considered lack of standardisation (including terminology), apart from different levels of education. As expected, the answers were not uniform, revealing differences in opinion as well as in basic system interpretation. The latter could have possible causes and relation to the particular education system in the first place. The current educational framework was discussed in terms of EET enhancements and the development of the navigation curricula. The study results have been presented and discussed systematically, leading to observations on the potential safety of navigation improvement.
The Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) became inevitable central navigational tool for effective voyage planning and voyage monitoring execution. Furthermore, each model comprises numerous navigational and other display components, each of them with its limitations, reliability and simplicity. This is also supported by the fact that there is a large number of approved manufacturer systems on the market. Apart from fulfilling the performance standards regulated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the system models differ significantly regarding handling, interface, and interpretation of data and information, therefore biasing the required knowledge and the purposefulness of the system. The aim of this study is to determine navigators’ response in ECDIS comparison of different manufacturer models to identify pros and cons of specific tasks, features and other navigational functions. The present work is based on international survey in form of questionnaire conducted among ECDIS stakeholders. Answers are presented and discussed, revealing certain shortcomings of specific manufacturer ECDIS system. On the other hand, the analyses show the significant advantages of each system, potentially leading to creation of the ideal system from the end-user’s perspective. The proper configuration of ECDIS should standardise functions and display considering different types, and undoubtedly resolve a problematic issue as a consequence of numerous ECDIS models and their diversities.
The Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) development and implementation have been linked primarily to the safety of navigation. Further development allows the implementation from other aspects of navigation. This primarily pertains to the Harmful Aquatic Organisms and Pathogens (HAOP) from Ballast Water Exchange (BWE) and the use of ECDIS system for improving environmental protection. The paper contains an overview of important legal aspects of sea environment protection related to the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention on global as well as on local scale. Apart from enhancing the safety of navigation, integration of the proposed tool for sea environment protection in the ECDIS with onboard ballast water system can significantly contribute to sea and sea environment protection from harmful substances. In this paper, the architecture of such system is suggested. This approach also ensures a reduction of possible consequences on ecological incidents and human errors.
The completion of ECDIS mandatory implementation period on-board SOLAS vessels requires certain operational, functional and educational gaping holes to be solved. It especially refers to positioning and its redundancy, which represents fundamental safety factor on-board navigating vessels. The proposed paper deals with primary and secondary positioning used in ECDIS system. Standard positioning methods are described, discussing possibilities of obtained positions’ automatic and manual implementation in ECDIS, beside default methods. With the aim of emphasizing the need and importance of using secondary positioning source in ECDIS, positioning issue from the standpoint of end-users was elaborated, representing a practical feedback of elaborated topic. The survey was conducted in the form of international questionnaire placed among OOWs, ranging from apprentice officers to captains. The result answers and discussion regarding (non)usage of secondary positioning sources in ECDIS were analysed and presented. Answers and statements were elaborated focusing not only in usage of the secondary positioning system in ECDIS, but in navigation in general. The study revealed potential risks arising from the lack of knowledge and even negligence. The paper concludes with summary of findings related to discrepancies between theoretical background, good seamanship practice and real actions taken by OOWs. Further research activities are pointed out, together with planned practical actions in raising awareness regarding navigation with ECDIS.
In the maritime transport, the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) has been developed into a complex computer-based ship critical operational technology system, playing central roles in the safe ship navigation and transport. While ECDIS software maintenance is regulated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) ECDIS performance standards and related circulars, underlying software and hardware arrangements are implemented by ship-owners and supported by ECDIS equipment manufacturers. In this paper, we estimate ECDIS cyber security in order to study the origin of ECDIS cyber security risks. A set of ECDIS systems is examined using an industry-leading vulnerability scanning software tool, and cyber threats regarding the ECDIS backup arrangement, underlying operating system and third party applications are studied.
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