SAFETY4SEA Focus - Q1 2018

Q1 2018 I issue 01 I SAFETY 4SEA 5 safety4sea.com ARTICLE Indeed, the way and the man- ner that a navigator should ap- proach his/hers main task should be based on the same thinking as if there is no electronic system on board. From celestial navigation to ECDIS there is a long road through changes in the way that a typical navigator is performing the required duties. The mariner with the great seamanship capabilities, who steered the vessel using wind and identified the position from land- marks or stars has been replaced by a sophisticated mariner whose main ability is to handle, read and use electronic systems. Particularly, ECDIS is just a tool and even its name declares that. There is no wording in the “Electronic Chart Display and Information System” definition including the word navi- gation or any similar. Until now, a mixture of traditional and advanced ways of navigation is required. This by itself indicates that the system should be used in conjunction with the basic knowledge and skills of navigation based on experience and knowledge that all navigators should have. Unfortunately, several ECDIS- assisted navigational accidents as well as cyber-attack incidents brought about a negative reaction towards ECDIS, demanding a more seafarer-friendly ECDIS design to help bridge teams navigate safely and not hinder their operations. Inevitably, any new system brings with it a new set of challenges. Mariners, Shipowners, charters, ports, coastal authorities, organiza- tions etc., are focusing on a lot of things but at the end of the day everything depends mainly on the safely transit and arrival of the ves- sel. How should I navigate my vessel safely from one point to another? How am I going to reduce the risk of incidents? Navigators, as hu- man beings are easy to lose focus. Instead of concentrating on how Industry Guidance ● IMOMSC.232(82): Revised Performance Standards for ECDIS. ● IMO SN.1/Circ.266/Rev.1: Maintenance of ECDIS Software. ● IMOMSC. 1/Circ. 1496: Unified Interpretation on the Appendix to the SOLAS Convention Regarding the Records of Equipment Concerning Nautical Charts and ECDIS. ● IMOMSC.1/Circ.1503: ECDIS – Guidance for Good Practice. ● IMOMSC.1/Circ.139: Operating Anomalies Identified Within ECDIS. ● IHO: The International Hydrographic Organization has issued a series of standards and libraries for supporting ECDIS. ● IACS Rec. No 95: Recommendation for the Application of SOLAS Regulation V/15 Bridge Design, Equipment Arrangement and Procedures. ● Flag Administrations: More than 19 flags have issued ECDIS related guidance. to implement the basic theory of navigation through ECDIS use, they often rely on navigating as playing a video game without filtering the received information. Navigation is a decision-making process based on filtering the received information to take the right decision. Thus, inac- curate information process leads to wrong decisions and wrong deci- sions usually lead to accidents. All in all, bases for future naviga- tion have been already set and one thing is sure; autonomous shipping is from this moment onwards the new future trend. In this special FOCUS edition, we present ECDIS at a glance, tipping you on how to use ECDIS wisely and verify periodically your actions with traditional ways. Did you know? ● Not all ECS (Electronic Chart Systems) are ECDIS ● The ECDIS installation schedule is coming to an end in July 2018. ● ECDIS, like any technology, is only as good as its user’s understanding. ● Over-reliance on equipment, lack of training, poor BRM & lack of support from the Master can lead to ECDIS related accidents. ● Most flag administrations have addressed compliance with the latest IHO standards as mandatory for ships flying their flag. This means that an ECDIS upgrade will be required. ● Several port states have experienced PSCOs to check ECDIS use onboard. ● Evidence of periodic tests and checks of the ECDIS shall be carried out in accordance with the SMS and manufacturer’s requirements. ● Paris, Tokyo, Black Sea MoU conducted CIC on navigation safety, including ECDIS during Q4 2017. Explore more at: https://goo.gl/ew5HBN