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ECDIS e-navigation


key benefits envisaged by the IMO’s e-navi- gation strategy, and it is seen as a means of harmonising the mariner’s desire for standardised equipment with the manufac- turer’s quest for innovation. Having an estab- lished base level of operation will also help in coping with the generic component of the mandatory ECDIS training requirement. The exact nature of S-mode is currently under debate, with the most recent discussions in the IMO, IALA, and IHO tending towards a default mode, with a ‘switch back to factory settings’ button, accord- ing to Bergmann. This would enable “a fresh start, with default settings” but he explained that it would not be an “all ECDIS are the same” function. Another key benefit envisaged by the


the case if platforms like the S100 standard become the norm. Companies developing astrategy for man-


quick,not toodetailed.Leave roomforinnovation when the industryhas aframework


Setthe rules but makeit


datory ECDIS need to be prepared in terms of hardware, training and chart supply systems, Glass maintained. He believes that in order to increase the acceptance of ECDIS and for the user experience to be simplified, the present distribution arrangements for ENCs based on licence management and pre-payment need to be reviewed. As one possible solution, he cited his company’spay-as- you-sail service, ENCTrack, which gives avessel aworld folio of ENC permits


and tracks the usage of charts, invoicing only for those that are actually used. ECDIS providers interviewed have asense


strategy is improved coverage and availability of consistent-quality ENCs. Yet there will be commercial and architectural considerations, Bergmann pointed out. Because “e-naviga- tion allows for full integration of data to ensure situational awareness” there will need to be a rethink of “our current chart business based on displaying ENCs and using overlays to add additional information”, he reasoned. Even before that stage, meeting the goal


of improved coverage, general availability and alignment of flag state requirements will be a challenge, according to Jelle Glass, international sales manager at Datema. ENC coverage remains far from complete and some areas are subject to exclusive contracts, he cautioned. “Given mandation, the playing field should be levelled to allow chart agents to distinguish themselves on services instead of coverage,” Glass said – this may well be


of the great potential of e-navigation and of what has already been achieved towards realising it. There is awillingness to establish standards, keep architecture open and work within the e-navigation framework as user needs are specified in greater detail. For them, and for those on board ship, the greatest challenge is the communication of informa- tion to and from shore. One example is the access to information for situational aware- ness, such as ice charts, tidal charts and local


What is S-mode?


The standard presentation of navigational information on an ECDIS, using a standard menu system with a common interface. S-mode would provide a familiar level of functionality for which all ECDIS users have been trained.


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