Tag: ECDIS

Everything You Need to Know About ECDIS in the Marine Industry

Posted on: July 13, 2022

marine display

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.

Benefits of Using ECDIS Over Paper Charts for Marine Navigation

Posted on: September 25, 2019
Marine Navigation
iStock.com/Denys Yelmanov

The Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) is a sophisticated route charting, planning, and navigational system that allows members of the Marines Corps to accurately map out their voyages and minimize risk along the way. This innovative technology has been proven to help companies avoid and mitigate potentially dangerous situations such as poor weather conditions, natural disasters, and security threats by accurately alerting crewmembers of impending risks and helping them reroute their initial trajectories. Not only is this essential to the safety and survival of Marines Corps officers, but it’s also useful for ensuring national security.

How Does ECDIS Work?

The purpose of ECDIS is to replace paper charts altogether and make them obsolete. ECDIS works in conjunction with rugged Marines displays and other technologies including GPS (Global Positioning Systems) and in compliance with the SOLAS Convention to enhance overall navigational safety procedures.

ECDIS also takes a lot of pressure off of crew navigators by informing them of potential risks on route to their destination and offering safer alternate route options. Ship navigators can use this information to then gauge the safety risks of their projected routes and make necessary updates and adjustments.

What Are the Advantages of Using ECDIS Technology?

Aside from the heightened safety intel, there are a lot of advantages to using ECDIS technology in Marines operations.

Here are just a few of them:

Real-Time Monitoring

As mentioned, ECDIS allows for the utmost accuracy when it comes to real-time monitoring. Navigators receive up-to-the-minute updates regarding their current route trajectory. In the event of a potential security or safety risk, the system will present them with a number of possible route alternatives that are much safer.

User-Friendly Interface


Even though Marine Corps crewmembers and navigators are highly trained in the latest navigational technology, it’s still important to ensure that the interface is as user-friendly and easy to comprehend as possible. This is especially true in light of potential danger when convenience and expediency are huge assets.

To make operations quick and convenient, ECDIS uses a number of other navigational equipment and softwares including Echo Sounder, GPS, RADAR, Gyro, and ARPA.

Alarms and Warning Signals


In addition to providing the ship navigator with visual and audible indications that the vessel is headed in a dangerous direction, loud alarms and warning signals will also notify the rest of the crew so that they can act quickly in the event of an emergency. This feature also relieves the ship navigator from the stressful task of having to individually notify other crewmembers, allowing them to focus on swiftly mapping out a new route.

Unparalleled Accuracy


Aside from being able to provide safe travel alternatives for Marines Corps vessels, rugged displays like ECDIS should have the capacity to accurately predict the estimated time of arrival to their destinations so that crewmembers and inland officers can aptly prepare for the mission. Another important point is that sometimes traditional charts might mistake large sea creatures or inanimate objects like debris for potential threats. To prevent unnecessary rerouting from happening, ECDIS uses precision-enhanced technology to help navigators identify these objects from great distances.

Interested in learning more about ECDIS, rugged displays, and Marines technology? Contact Nauticomp Inc., North America’s leading designer and supplier of advanced Marines displays.