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ECDIS in Operation

ECDIS in Operation

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Decision assistance by ECDIS

ECDIS manufacturers are integrating more and more decision assistance tools into ECDIS to increase the possibilities their system offers.

 

For years the Man over Board function has been the only tool of that type but now it is accompanied by other decision assistance tools.

 

The following examples provide a first view on such new features.

Man over Board Functionality

An important tool is the "Man over Board" functionality. ok, some people might say "Person over Board". I am old, I prefer to old way. 

 

Anyhow, depending on the SAR situation the OOW needs to decide between different search methods. Three of those are described with ECDIS relevant details and an associated diagram below. 

 

Each method requires different parameters. The system will not generate a search method proposal if the parameters value is not in line with his respective ship's maneouvre parameter.

 

 

Following screen shots and details are published with kind permission of TRANSAS.

TRANSAS

Presentation of Expanding Square Search Method
 Expanding Square Search

Expaning Square Method

Expanding Square search method requires following parametres:

  • Search pattern heading - search direction;
  • Turn radius - turn radius between the route legs;
  • Number of legs - number of successive route legs;
  • Starting leg length - start leg length.

Parallel Tracks Search Method

Presentation of Parallel Track Search Method
 Parallel Track Search

Parallel Tracks Route requires following parametres:

  • Search pattern heading - search direction;
  • Turn radius - turn radius between the route legs;
  • Number of legs - number of successive route legs;
  • Leg length - length of each leg;
  • Track spacing - width of zone between the parallel tracks.
Presentation of Sector Search Method
 Sector Search

Sector Search Method

Sector Search Route requires following parametres:

  • Search pattern heading - search direction;
  • Turn radius - turn radius between the route legs;
  • Number of sectors - number of sectors;
  • Search radius - search area radius (sectors);
  • Turn angle - sector turn angle.

Collision Avoidance Assistance

There has been a long standing desire to provide collision warning or an alarm of a potential close quarters situation.


The new tool automatically analyses all RADAR and AIS visible targets and provides advice to avoid the danger. These could include change of course, or visual or sound signals to other ships.

 

The "Course To Steer" proposal is based on analysis of the position, course and speed of all ships in close proximity and computes CPA and TCPA with own ship. Dangerous or risky courses are indicated in red on the displayed pop-up, safe courses in blue.

The specified own ship's parameter can be changed either by the OOW or exclusively by the master.

 

The OOW can change inter alia:

  • the alert radius;
  • the CPA.

 

The master can change inter alia:

  • minimum value for action to be taken to avoid collision (alerting if ships are approaching from Port side);
  • ship's parameter;
  • specific ship's parameter.

 

The calculation is made on default values if no change is made.

 

Following screen shots are published with kind permission of Totem Plus.

© Totem Plus

 

 

  • Presentation of advice to change to course
     Advice to change to course
  • Presentation of advice to keep the course
     Advice to keep the course

Piracy update

Presentation of Current piracy activities and forecast
 Current piracy activities and forecast
Presentation of Details of a selected piracy attack
 Details of a selected piracy attack
Presentation of Overview of all piracy activities in an area
 Overview of all piracy activities in an area
Presentation of advice for a route based on current risk level
 Advice for a route based on current risk level

Piracy activities are displayed graphically by this tool. The information is updated daily. Piracy information is combined with current weather information to allow the ship's crew to plan a route with the lowest risk of piracy attacks.

 

This tool underlines the options ECDIS offers. Information provided from different sources is collected and analyzed to offer important decision assistance.

 

The following screen shots and presentations are published with the kind permission of Jeppesen Marine.

© Jeppesen (A Boeing Company)

 

last update April 17, 2011