The Australian Hydrographic Service (AHS) is presently compiling Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) with priority on the Great Barrier Reef area including the Coral Sea and the national ports.

　

As there is so much more information in an ENC than in a paper chart, it will take some time to provide fully compliant coverage for the whole of Australia (and the world). For this reason, the IMO approved Raster Chart Display System (RCDS) mode of operating ECDIS for use in those areas where ENCs have not yet been produced. The RCDS mode of operation is sometimes referred to as ECDIS "dual-fuel operation".

　

As mentioned earlier in this paper, RCDS mode relies on Raster Navigational Charts (RNCs), instead of ENCs. RNCs are scanned images of official paper charts and like ENCs are only published under the authority of governments and their hydrographic offices. RNCs can provide some, but not all of the functions of ENCs and it is largely because of these limitations of RNCs compared to ENCs that requires RCDS operation to be complemented by paper charts. See details below.

　

Australia's RNCs are known as Seafarer^(R)RNC. They are scanned images of official Australian paper charts and are published by the AHS on CD-ROM. RNCs are also published by the UK, USA, Canada and a growing number of other countries. In effect, the world is reasonably well covered by official RNCs.

　

RNCs contain exactly the same information as the official paper charts from which they are derived and maintain the same standards of quality, reliability and government backing. Like ENCs and paper charts, a Notice to Mariners update service supports them. Seafarer^(R)RNC uses Hydrographic Chart Raster Format (HCRF), which is the same format and standard used by the British Admiralty for its "ARCS" RNCs.

　

All of Australia's official paper charts have now been published as Seafarer^(R)RNC. Seafarer^(R)RNC chart updates can be obtained by subscription and are supplied monthly on CD-ROM. This allows Notices to Mariners to be applied to RNCs virtually automatically.

　

ECDIS supports a comprehensive update mechanism to ensure ENCs and RNCs can be kept up to date, with methods such as Notices to Mariners. Chart maintenance is effected automatically via disk update, email message or satellite data transfer.

　

Further information on the availability of official electronic charts for the Australian region can be obtained at:

　

　

　

Where ENC data (the official vector charts) has not been published, official Raster Navigational Charts (RNCs) may be used in ECDIS in the so-called Raster Chart Display System (RCDS) mode of ECDIS operation. However the IMO has ruled that an "appropriate folio of charts" is required to complement this mode of operation. This is a reduced folio intended to supplement the RCDS operation which is seen to have limitations. These limitations are described in IMO Safety of Navigation Circular 207/99 "Differences between RCDS and ECDIS (Operation)"

　

　

This requirement should not be confused with the ECDIS backup option of a full folio of paper charts; obviously any operator who opts for the full folio to back up ECDIS will automatically have covered the "appropriate folio" requirement to complement the RODS mode.

　

IMO does not provide any guidance on what may constitute an "appropriate folio"; this is left to the national administration.

　

AMSA has defined the term "appropriate folio" as follows:

　

This folio should contain up to date charts to cover those sections of the intended voyage where ECDlS will be operated in the RCDS mode. These charts are to be of a scale that will show sufficient detail of topography, depths, navigational hazards, navaids, charted routes, and traffic schemes to provide the mariner with ample knowledge of impending navigational complexities and an overall picture of the ship's general operating environment.

　

As a broad guideline the scale of the charts in this folio should suit the navigational complexity; for example the area from Melbourne to Brisbane could be satisfactorily covered by the AUS "four hundred" (AUS 4xx) series, whereas the Inner Route north of Cairns must have the AUS "eight hundred" (AUS 8xx) series.

　

The requirement to carry this appropriate folio for backup in the RCDS mode must be met for overseas voyages as it is an IMO ruling and other administrations may enforce it. For voyages within Australia's EEZ AMSA will consider waiving the requirement to carry this appropriate folio provided the operator submits a satisfactory risk assessment or safety case, indicating what measures and procedures will be adopted to minimise risks when using ECDIS in the ROCS mode of operation.

　

　

The STCW and ISM Codes put the onus firmly on the shipowner to ensure that mariners on their vessels are competent to carry out the duties they are expected to perform. If a ship has ECDIS fitted, the shipowner has a duty to ensure that users of such a system are properly trained in the operation and use of electronic charts and are familiar with the shipboard equipment before using it operationally at sea.

　

The following training is considered necessary for an ECDIS user in a ship:

　

By the STCW 95 implementation date of 1 February 2002 all holders of Australian STCW 95 endorsed Certificates of Competency in the deck department will have been required to complete basic ECD1S training.

　

Before a watchkeeping officer or master intends to use a compliant ECDIS as the primary means of navigation they should complete a generic ECDIS Operators Course complying with IMO Model Course 1.27 - The Operational Use of Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS).

　

Additionally, ECDIS type training is to be provided by the shipowner under the terms of the ISM Code. Under the Code, the shipping company has a responsibility to "establish procedures to ensure that new personnel and personnel transferred to new assignments related to safety and protection of the marine environment are given proper familiarisation with their duties. Instructions which are essential to be provided prior to sailing should be identified, documented and given".

　

Typically, such ECDIS type training could be achieved through an agreement between the shipowner and the supplying ECDIS manufacturer for a self-tutoring function to be provided with the equipment. Otherwise, a similar arrangement could involve the placing of the ECDIS operating software and type training materials in a computer at the owners' offices and/or a training establishment.

　

These requirements are to be part of the vessel's Safety Management System and are to be strictly adhered to, prior to an officer taking over the responsibility of a watch at sea.

　

　

After 1 July 2002, an ECDIS, which meets the performance standards of IMO Resolution A.817(19) as amended, may be accepted by AMSA as complying with the carriage of up-to-date charts as required by SOLAS Chapter V if the foregoing requirements are met.

　

Further enquiries regarding the carriage and use of ECDIS in the light of Marine Notice 14 of 2002 should be addressed to: