Everything You Need to Know About ECDIS in the Marine Industry

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As the marine industry increasingly looks to digitize its operations, one of the most important pieces of technology that vessels are adopting is the electronic chart display and information system, or ECDIS. This system is a type of marine navigation that uses electronic navigational charts to display information about a vessel’s position and the surrounding sea.

If you are working in or supplying products or services to the marine industry, it is important to understand what ECDIS is and how it works. In this blog post, we will provide an overview of ECDIS technology and discuss some of the key considerations when implementing this system on ships.

What Is an Electronic Chart Display and Information System?

As mentioned above, an ECDIS is a maritime navigation device that displays a vessel’s position and the surrounding sea using digital charts. This system is increasingly being used by vessels as the marine industry looks to digitize its operations.

ECDIS is now a mandatory navigation system on ships trading in European waters. This system replaces the traditional paper charts used on board vessels for navigation. ECDIS presents navigational data on a computer screen, allowing officers to navigate more safely and efficiently.

Types of ECDIS

There are two different types of ECDIS available on the market, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Below we discuss the different options in more detail.

Raster Navigational Charts

Raster navigational charts are digital images of paper charts. These charts are created by scanning a paper chart and converting it into a digital image file. 

The main advantage of raster chart display systems is that they are relatively easy to use and understand. This type of system is also less expensive than vector chart display systems.

The disadvantages of raster charts include the fact that they can be less accurate than vector charts and they can be more difficult to update.

Vector Navigational Charts

Vector navigational charts are created using electronic vector data. This data is more accurate than raster data, making vector chart display systems more precise tools for marine navigation.

The main disadvantage of vector charts is that they can be more expensive than raster charts. Another downside of vector charts is that they can be more difficult to use and understand than raster charts.

Why Use Bigger Marine Monitors for ECDIS?

Marine displays have to meet the strictest standards for quality and durability. That’s why marine LCDs and monitors are designed specifically for use in harsh marine environments.

When it comes to ECDIS, bigger is usually better. A larger marine display will give you a better view of the digital charts and information being displayed. This is especially important when navigating unfamiliar waters.

Some marine displays are even designed to be used in multi-display setups, giving you an even larger view of the navigational data.

Multi-touch marine displays are also becoming more popular, as they offer a more intuitive way to interact with the ECDIS system. Waterproof marine displays are another option to consider, as they can be used in all weather conditions.

Safety Parameters for an ECDIS Marine Displays

There are several safety parameters that should be considered when setting up an ECDIS marine display. These settings include:

  • The safe navigation area
  • The safe distance from land
  • The depth of water
  • The speed of the vessel
  • The type of vessel

Key Considerations for Implementing ECDIS

There are a few key considerations to keep in mind when implementing an ECDIS system on board a vessel.

First, the system must be able to meet the specific navigational needs of the vessel. Second, the system must be easy to use and understand. And third, the system must be able to integrate with other onboard systems.

Some marine displays are designed specifically for use with ECDIS systems. These displays usually have larger screen sizes and higher resolutions, making them ideal for viewing digital charts and navigational data.

What Are the ECDIS Marine Display Requirements?

There are several requirements that must be met in order to use an ECDIS marine display.

  • Must Display SENC Information: The marine display must be able to display System Electronic Navigational Chart information. SENC is the digital chart data that is used by the ECDIS system.
  • Must Be DGNSS Compatible: The marine display must be compatible with Differential GPS (DGNSS) systems.
  • Must Meet IMO Standards: The marine display must meet the standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
  • Must Be Type-Approved: The marine display must be type-approved by a recognized marine organization. Some marine displays are specifically designed for use with ECDIS systems and have been type-approved by the IMO. Marine displays have to meet the strictest standards for quality and durability.
  • Must Show the Information Scale: The marine display must be able to show the correct scale for the navigational data being displayed.
  • Must Display Screen Specification: The marine display must have a screen that is large enough to show the navigational data being displayed.
  • Must Show Chart Features: The marine display must be able to show all of the features that are required for safe navigation.
  • Must Have Data Overlay: The marine display must be able to overlay the navigational data on top of the chart data.
  • Must Have Symbols, Fonts, and Colours: The marine display must be able to show the required symbols, fonts, and colours.

Contact Nauticomp to Know About the Different Marine Monitors

Vessels of all sizes are increasingly using ECDIS to navigate their way through the water, and as this technology continues to develop, it is important that mariners understand how these systems work.

If you’re looking for more information about electronic chart displays or any other marine monitors, be sure to get in touch with Nauticomp, Inc. We provide world-class fully customizable touchscreen displays for commercial and industrial settings and can help you find the perfect system for your vessel. Contact us today to learn more.