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July 2014 will come around faster than you think, and here
at Martek, we’d love to know when you plan on complying with the IMO mandated regulations for ECDIS installation by completing the online poll on our homepage.
It has been a requirement to fit Electronic Chart Displayand Information Systems on new build ships since July 2012, with IMO legislation coming into
effect for existing passenger ships
in July 2014. This will be followed by
existing tankers in 2015, and existing cargo ships from 2016 – 2018.
There are great financial and safety incentives to invest in
ECDIS well before the IMO mandate.
According to DNV research, deploying ECDIS reduces the grounding frequency by 30%, the
fourth highest contribution to marine fatalities. Early adoption also allows
your crew a longer transition period to paperless navigation so they acquire
competency and confidence before the deadline, easing pressure when ECDIS
becomes mandatory.
ECDIS will also save your company money as it eliminates the
need for paper charts, administration and logistics. Time is also saved as
manual updates to the chart are replaced with automated updates.
ECDIS can also save fuel costs as the system will optimise
and automate your route plan, taking into account weather and tidal information,
ultimately cutting out transit times by plotting the shortest, safest route.
However, some companies have other reasons for holding back
on purchasing ECDIS, as they are unsure about what’s required of them and the
training involved. Visit our ECDIS information website to read about the implementation schedule, the
training required under the IMO and FAQ’s.
No doubt that ECDIS could improve safety of navigation. That is why IMO adopted the system. However, attention has to be made in implementation. Knowledge and background of seafarers globally are different. Although training on ECDIS operation is mandatory, generic trainings are mostly carried out. Specific training surely doubted. Many shipping companies do not conduct this training. ECDIS factories too. So, I am afraid that seafarers who have not sufficient skill in operating ECDIS able to improve safety of navigation. May be worst.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, experience has showed when ARPA was introduced. Many collisions happen caused by many navigators fail to operate ARPA correctly.
It was also experience when GPS was introduced. Over reliance to the electronic and sophisticated equipment may make navigators over reliance to the equipment.
I am of the opinion that it is part of responsible of the ECDIS factory to conduct specific training for seafarers in using ECDIS to improve safety of navigation.