ECDIS Problems Looming (Tanker Operator)

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A warning has been given about the diverse number of ECDIS on the market ahead of mandation of training certificates coming into force by the middle of next year.

Following the STCW amendments recently agreed at the Manila meeting, there will be a vast amount of navigating officers queuing up at training facilities to gain ECDIS certificates.

However, there are around 32 ECDIS OEMs with a possible couple more to come, many of which offer differing information levels, according to UK-based trainer ECDIS Ltd.

The company currently works with four OEMs with another three due to install equipment in the coming months at ECDIS Ltd’s training centre near Fareham, Hampshire.

One of the problems is that the ECDIS by and large has been designed by engineers with little or no navigator input, according to Malcolm Instone, ECDIS Ltd’s director of operations and standards.

He said that the technology needed human input and that the systems were not as user friendly as they could be. Some of the functions included were not required, he said.

He explained that the system’s operator was the person who decided just how much information would be included on the screen and will have to configure the system. An ECDIS needs managing with written procedures for the navigators, he said.

Currently, it is not known how many ships are fitted with a single or dual ECDIS, or how many are actually sailing paperless.

There are also several flag states who have not issued standards for ECDIS training leaving operators not knowing what is needed ahead of the STCW amendments coming into force.

Some flag states, include Liberia, do not recognise Raster navigation charts (RNCs), meaning that an operator will have to use ENCs, or paper charts.

“There will be a vast demand for training next year, but at the moment ship operators are waiting for flag states to issue regulations and standards,” Instone said.

The UK’s MCA has stipulated that a five-day training course is needed and a one to two days course on type specific ECDIS for familiarisation.

ECDIS Ltd’s training courses are authorised by the MCA and also by DNV.

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Article “ECDIS problems looming” originally published by Tanker Operator on 22nd October 2010 (http://www.tankeroperator.com/news/todisplaynews.asp?NewsID=2288)

Todd Continues Journey Into ECDIS With New Training Partnership

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Northern Ireland-based marine navigation data and service provider Todd (formerly Todd Chart Agency) has announced its partnership with one of the world’s top ECDIS training providers in a move that will see the company increase its ECDIS offering and continue to position itself as a world-leading navigation data specialist.

Todd is working with Southampton-based specialist ECDIS training organisation ECDIS Ltd to offer a Flag-State approved ECDIS training course to all of its customers, either at ECDIS Ltd’s purpose-built facility in the UK, or at any location globally to suit individual vessel requirements.

The world-renowned five day ECDIS Ltd course is designed for candidates seeking certification as officers in charge of a navigational watch and for experienced mariners and other persons with navigational responsibilities, such as pilots.

As well as the five day course, Todd and ECDIS Ltd can also provide a full range of ECDIS training, including one day introductions and bespoke packages for Marine Inspectors and Port Authorities who require ‘pocket cribs’ for use when quality controlling ECDIS onboard ship.

Capt William Todd from Todd said: “Our partnership with ECDIS Ltd allows us to offer our current and new customers an industry-approved ECDIS training course to complement the extensive range of electronic charting products we offer.”

“At Todd, we have a team of navigational data specialists and ECDIS experts, all of whom work closely with each customer to ensure that they understand the requirements of ECDIS carriage and that they are fully prepared ahead of the ECDIS mandate.”

Todd’s product range includes ECDIS hardware from a number of world-leading manufacturers including Maris and PC Maritime and a global portfolio of electronic charts and digital publications including the full range of Admiralty digital and paper products.

Todd also offers a full, global, IMO-compliant range of digital products and systems, including e-Navigator, and is the UKHO’s fourth largest UK Distributor.

To find out more about how Todd is making navigation intelligent, visit the website:

www.intelligentnavigation.com

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Contact Information:
Issued by Mabox Marine (www.maboxmarine.com) on behalf of Todd.

Contact: Emma Jones, Mabox Marine
Tel : +44 (0)20 7089 5380 / +44 (0) 1823 430480 / m: +44 (0) 7590 750489
Email: emma@mabox.co.uk

ECDIS Ltd Expands into WECDIS Market

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ECDIS Ltd have delivered a 5 day WECDIS course on OSI ECPINS-W systems to the Brazilian Navy in what is hoped to be the start of further cooperation between the two organisations. The ECDIS Ltd WECDIS course is the full 5 day IMO 1.27 ECDIS course, but also includes use of additional warfare functionality to demonstrate tactical use of the system. Included in the course are elements of submarine navigation such as Pool Of Errors, Target Motion Analysis and contact manipulation. The course also covers the use of different coordinate systems, Additional Military Layers and Battlespace Management (Air and Sea).

Mark Broster of ECDIS Ltd shaking hands with the top student, Captain Lieutenant Mauricio Câmara Teixeira of the Brazilian Navy

Mark Broster, Managing Director of ECDIS Ltd says, “It is evident that increasingly more military nations are purchasing ECDIS and WECDIS systems. As they make the transition to digital navigation they want proper and appropriate training and it is our aim to help take their ECDIS knowledge to the most advanced level. We have found that many fleets both commercial and military proudly promote the idea of high standards of navigation training, but often fail to deliver.  It is great to see that the South African and Brazilian Navy are pushing for the highest standards, by utilising ECDIS Ltd as part of their training solution.”

Corvette Captain André Moraes Barros of the Brazilian Navy adds, “The ECDIS Ltd five day course gave us a good knowledge about the system. Despite a class of students ranging from submariners to engineers, everyone ended the week with confidence in the system and its capabilities. The fact that the teacher was a former Royal Navy Officer helped us to understand and utilise the system features in accordance with our naval requirement.”

The delivery of ECDIS training to the Brazilian Navy is the fourth military nation that ECDIS Ltd have trained. Customers also include the Trinidad and Tobago Coastguard, Republic of Singapore Navy and the South African Navy.

Lieutenant Novoa of the South African Navy adds, “The instructors were very knowledgeable on the subject and the programme. It was very helpful having an (ex) Naval Navigator present as he knew exactly what was expected of us. The fact that he was also an ex Royal Navy (RN) member of Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) gave us the added perspective of training and evaluating. The instructors were also friendly and approachable. I would definitely recommend getting them again in the future for training and/or re-training.”

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ECDIS Ltd

ECDIS Ltd provide navigation training, purchasing, charting and consultation in Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS). They specialise in providing Flag State approved IMO model ECDIS courses to be taught on any IMO accredited ECDIS. Static training is delivered in their Southampton Training Centre and portable training can be conducted in a location of the customer’s choosing, even onboard if facilities can support it. ECDIS Ltd trainers are highly experienced in the practical use of ECDIS, and combined have taught over 1000 mariners. Their static ECDIS training is endorsed and accredited by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, whilst their portable training solution is approved by Det Norske Veritas.

For further information:
Malcolm Instone
Director of Operations & Standards
ECDIS Ltd
First Floor
Forum 3 Parkway
Solent Business Park
Whiteley
Fareham
PO15 7FH
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1489 559677
Email: instone@ecdis.org.uk
Web: www.ecdis.org