NAV 44/7/6
23 Adoption of the proposed RCDS
Performance Standard,s will not prevent national
Administrations from introducing supplementary regulations
regarding the use of either ECDIS or RCDS if they consider
local conditions warrant such action.
Conclusious
24 The lack of Performance Standards
for raster chart based navigation systems has resulted in the
proliferation of raster systems of varying quality. Many of
the concerns raised at NAV 43 over RCDS appear to have been
based on experience with systems which fall short of the
requirements of the proposed RCDS Performance Standards. This
only reinforces the need for an RCDS Performance Standard.
25 RCDS has been shown to contribute
to the safety of navigation, systems are widely available
now, and are already being used enthusiastically by mariners.
It is a logical progression towards full ECDIS, as soon as
ENCS become available.
26 Based on extensive practical
experience, Australia, France, lreland Singapore, the United
Kingdom and the United States believe that:
● The safety concerns raised
over RCDS are largely unfounded and deny the mariner the
use of a demonstrably beneficial navigational tool.
● Because the RCDS performance
standards are based on the ECDIS performance standards,
they incorporate the necessary technical and safety
issues. They also draw upon the extensive work which went
into the ECDIS standards.
● RNCs provide the same high
levels of reliability and content as official paper
charts and issuing governments accept the same level of
liability. This demonstrates confidence that RNCS are a
safe and reliable contribution to navigational safety.
● A diverse and growing range
of users are now benefiting from RCDS. They confirm the
safety benefits and advantages over paper-based
navigation.
● No significant concerns over
navigation safety have been reported to governments
producing RNCs.
Because RCDS enables ECDIS to be used
world-wide before full ENC coverage is achieved, it will
promote and encourage the adoption of ECDIS by mariners
without compromising the ENC production programme.
Action requested of the Sub-Committee
27 The Sub-Committee is requested to
take into account the information provided in this paper when
considering the proposed RCDS Performance Standards.
l:/NAV/44/7-6.WPD
