Revised ENC Standards for ECDIS Deadline Approaches
The International Hydrographic Office revised ENC standards for ECDIS will soon be in force.
All ECDIS systems on board vessels will require a software update to ensure they are in line with these revised requirements by the 31 August 2017.
Updated functions will include the following:
- Changes to the alarm and warning symbols on charts.
- A modification to the drawing method for chart symbols.
- Additional symbols and changes to the categories of some symbols.
Systems unable to accept the software update will need to be upgraded or fully replaced by this date.
Given the potentially long lead times on such equipment, and possible installation delays in fitting, Members should investigate the requirements to avoid unwanted delays and costs.
Failure to meet the requirements by the above date can impact on the vessels seaworthiness and result in the vessels being detained by port state control.
Members should check with the makers of the ECDIS equipment on their vessels to see what is required to ensure compliance and also check with their flag state or classification societies for any further survey requirements.
The revised standards and editions are as follows:
Standard | Revised Edition Number |
Specifications for Chart Content and Display Aspects of ECDIS | S-52 Ed.6.1.0. |
IHO Presentation Library (PL) | Ed.4.0 |
IHO Test Data Sets for ECDIS | S-64 Ed.3.0. |