ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display & Information System)

A trainee successfully completing this course will be able to use ECDIS for his navigational watch. He will be able to operate ECDIS equipment, use the navigational functions of ECDIS, select and assess all relevant information and take proper action. The trainee will acquire and develop a knowledge and understanding of the basic principles governing the safe operation of ECDIS, including ECDIS data and their presentation, as well as the system-related limitations and potential dangers.

He will be able to generate and maintain displays, to operate all basic navigational functions and all specific functions for route planning as well as route monitoring, to use and select proper navigational data and to display this data in the appropriate manner. He will also be able to perform updating. He will be able to analyse nautical alarms during route planning and route monitoring as well as sensor alarms. They will be able to assess the impact of the performance limits of sensors on the safe use of ECDIS and to appreciate that the back-up system is only limited performance.

He will be able to assess errors, inaccuracies and ambiguities cause by improper data management. Thus, he will be aware of errors in displayed data, errors of interpretation and the risk of over-reliance on ECDIS and be able to take proper action. In addition, he will have the knowledge of the principal types of electronic chart and the essential legal of the use of ECDIS.