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ECDIS e-navigation


E-nav on the bridge H


ow might e-navigation affect the physical environment of the bridge? Seamless transfer of ‘in-


telligent’ information between ship and shore, integration of data sources, automatic polling and reporting and scope for human analysis will call for both standardisation and flexibility.Yet some users are confused about e-navigation or dubious about its effect on bridge operations. The master of one of the world’slargest


LNG carriers said that he saw e-navigation as “more like acompu- ter game, with the only difference that there is no ‘second life’ –mistakes and errors are real and consequences might exceed imagination”. He reasoned that “e-navigation brings many new problems and we will have to face many unforeseen situations”. In particular he was concerned about increased data –“We receive much more information than we need” –and noted: “Wecan add the possibility of infecting computers with viruses, human error,lack of computer skills and many more worries.” The master of afully refrigerated LPG


more safety for everybody at sea.” While not all seafarers are ‘on board’


when it comes to e-navigation, those that are know what they want from the technology, said David Patraiko: more effective informa- tion on demand and better communication with shore authorities. The aforementioned IALA Operations Working Group gap analysis has identified the hurdles that must be over- come to make life easier on the bridge. The major areas of concern are ensur-


S-mode is only one element and therefore it will not change the problems with ECDIS software on its own


ing that ship and shore can take advantage of rapidly evolving communications technology in a harmonised man- ner, and lightening the administrative burden by enabling different shoreside


carrier declared that he didn’tunderstand the e-nav concept at all, whereas another tanker master had amore positive stance: “Looking at my bridge team Iamabsolutely sure that they understand very well that e-navigation is the future,” he reported. “The bridge team is saving alot of time using the ECDIS products. The navigation is more effective and [there is]


users to share their reports. Filling those gaps will mean the bridge team sees more stand- ardised interfaces and better information management and a benefit from the reality “that ships will be more closely monitored by shore authorities”. In practical terms this means that multiple reports of the same basic information could go to agents, ports, pilots and VTS, and that these could be shared and passed to SAR if necessary. A major step has been taken towards creating that ship-to- shore link with the agreement at NAV 57 in June to use the IHO S-100 geospatial standard for hydrographic data as the base- line for creating a framework for data access and services under the scope of SOLAS. Patraiko confirmed that electronic


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