Ref: Maritime Safety Committee (MSC), 86th session: 27 May - 5 June 2009

ECDIS and BNWAS to be made mandatory under SOLAS

Amendments to SOLAS regulation V/19, to make mandatory the carriage of Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) and Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm Systems (BNWAS), under SOLAS chapter V, Safety of Navigation, were adopted, with an expected entry into force date of 1 January 2011. The requirements will be mandatory for new ships and phased-in for existing ships.

Comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and Code

The MSC approved, in principle, the preliminary draft revised text of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) 1978, as amended, and the STCW Code, prepared by the Sub-Committee on Standards of Training and Watchkeeping (STW).

The Committee authorized the holding of an ad hoc intersessional meeting of an STW working group, from 7 to 11 September 2009, to progress the work, with a view to finalization at STW 41 in January 2010. STW 41 would then finalize the draft text of amendments to the STCW Convention and Code, with a view to their circulation for consideration by a Diplomatic Conference, scheduled for mid-2010.

Ref: MCA RESEARCH PROJECT: MSA 10/6/201

Common sense and maritime expertise combined with the tenets of the ISM Code clearly indicates that familiarisation training on such vital navigational equipment as an ECDIS is a necessity, considering that incompetent operation of ECDIS could impact adversely on the safety of life and protection of the marine environment.

Ref: Marine Information Note 316

The International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation (NAV), at its fifty-third session (23-27 July 2007), considered the issue of maintenance of Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) software and agreed that proper maintenance of ECDIS software was an important issue for ensuring the safety of navigation.

The Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention Chapter V Regulation 19.2.1.4 states that all ships irrespective of size shall have "nautical charts and nautical publications to plan and display the ship's route for the intended voyage and to plot and monitor positions throughout the voyage; an electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) may be accepted as meeting the chart carriage requirements of this subparagraph".

Of note, in case of system failure, ECDIS ships must have a back up of either a separate secondary ECDIS or carry and maintain a full chart outfit for the vessels area of operation.

If a vessel is governed by SOLAS, be it through specific codes of practice such as The Large Commercial Yacht Code (LY2) or otherwise for regulations that apply to all ships without exception, including small privately operated vessels, specific regulations concerning the standard of navigation incorporating the use of ECDIS or ECS along with paper charts are included and are of importance to all vessels operating electronic navigational systems.

Of particular importance, SOLAS regulation 34 and 34.1 covers the requirements of safe navigation and avoidance of dangerous situations for all vessels on all voyages unless expressly provided otherwise. The MCA summarises the content as follows: (Obtained Apr 2009)

MCA Guidance

1. Reg. 34 applies to all ships which proceed to sea.
2. The Regulation requires the voyage to be planned in accordance with the IMO Guidelines for Voyage Planning - Resolution A.893(21) (issued as SN/Circ.92) The Regulation authorises the Master to take voyage planning decisions for safety or environmental reasons.
3. It is important to note that Regulation 34 makes a properly prepared voyage plan mandatory and the plan is liable to be checked during port State control inspections.
4. Small vessels and pleasure craft - Regulation 34 applies to all vessels. For small vessels and pleasure-craft the degree of voyage planning will be depend upon the size of vessel, its crew and the length of the voyage. The MCA expects all mariners to make a careful assessment of any proposed voyage taking into account all dangers to navigation, weather forecasts, tidal predictions and other relevant factors including the competence of the crew.
5. See also Regulation 34.1 Master's Discretion.

[The paragraph originally in this Regulation covering Master's Discretion was redrafted as (new) Regulation 34.1. The change came into force on 1 July 2006.]

Although the recreational sector is largely unregulated, some legislation applies to all craft, whether commercial or recreational. The following regulations specifically apply to pleasure craft.

SOLAS V For Pleasure Craft

On 1 July 2002, some new regulations came into force, which directly affect pleasure craft users. These regulations are part of Chapter V of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, otherwise known as SOLAS V. Most of the SOLAS convention only applies to large commercial ships, but parts of Chapter V apply to small, privately owned pleasure craft. Voyage planning requirements apply to all craft, irrespective of size. If you are involved in a boating accident and it is subsequently shown that you have not applied the basic principles outlined in this document, you could be prosecuted.

Voyage Planning

Regulation V/34 "Safe Navigation and avoidance of dangerous situations", is a new regulation. It concerns prior-planning for your boating trip, more commonly known as voyage or passage planning. Voyage planning is basically common sense.

Further information

Merchant Shipping Notices (MSNs) and Marine Guidance Notes (MGNs) are available on the MCA Regulations Website. Any further questions can be addressed to MCA Fishing and Code Vessel Safety Branch, tel: 023 8032 9139, fax: 023 8032 9447 or email at codes@mcga.gov.uk.

The United Kingdom national governing body for sailing is the Royal Yachting Association (RYA).