Capt Harry Gale FNI

Technical Manager

The Nautical Institute

ECDIS

PPUs and Electronic Charts SeminarSouthampton Solent University

12th May 2011

Human Factors 1

Human Factors 2

ECDIS

• Total change from using paper charts

• Transition poses a challenge for the industry

• Training is significant part of this process

Training

• Not harmonised

• Wide confusion over requirements of:

• Generic training; type specific training; course length; CBT; IMO model course 1.27; need for assessment

Generic: should know what to look for, what the functions are and what is useful

Type-specific: become familiar with the layout, menus and functions of the particular system

Training

“ a good portion of training should be about reliability and guarding against over-reliance on ECDIS”

Shipowner has a duty to ensure that users of ECDIS are properly trained and are familiar with the equipment before using it operationally at sea

“Companies should take a more active role in bridge team management ....

... A longer handover period between deck officers (e.g a week at sea) could provide time for training and familiarisation for new joining officers”

ECDIS:

Type Approved

Uses Official Chart Data

Approved by Flag Administration

“The ECDIS course should be the full five days. More time should be spent on the operator controls.....

....lack of time leads to the operator not fully understanding the system which in turn leads to a lack of confidence in ECDIS”

“Shore based training has its limitations as the training given is largely relevant to the equipment at the training institute and ship specific issues are excluded”

Challenges to be managed

• Equipment needs to be adaptable

• Type approval needs to be revisited

• Mariners need to be made aware

“All young officers are so familiar with computers and computer-dependent, that they tend to over-trust the system”

Critical ECDIS Competencies

•Maintaining situational awareness

•Safe monitoring of displayed information

•Use of ECDIS functions

• How will training requirement be met in time?

• Is more standardisation required?

• Do we need an S-mode button?

ECDIS Revolution Conference

NI ECDIS Forum

ECDIS v ECS• Approved ECDIS - Only ECIDS meets

SOLAS Ch V (Type approved system, Official Data and Flag approved)

• Everything else is ECS – for “Situational Awareness”.

• Very difficult to tell them apart!

• The vast majority of ships are using ECS –not ECDIS.

Ship Masters

• Be aware of restrictions and procedures

• Training and familiarisation

• Advise companies if level of training is

inadequate

NI Publications

www.nautinst.org

Support of The Nautical Institute

through membership and

participation is very much

appreciated!

Thank You

The Nautical Institute

202 Lambeth Road, London SE1 7LQ, UK

www.nautinst.org