Pros and Cons of ECDIS Or Paperless Navigation Of Ships

Pros and Cons of ECDIS or Paperless Navigation on Ships

Just 15 years ago, the idea of paperless navigation on large ocean-going ships would have been laughable. For centuries, navigational paper charts had been the cornerstone of maritime navigation. The thought of one day sailing without them was almost blasphemous to seasoned navigators.

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Every experienced navigating officer recalls joining vessels with their trusty Chart Correction Pen. Yet, the unthinkable happened. The transformation began with smaller vessels like pleasure crafts, tug boats, and yachts. Now, with the IMO’s ECDIS mandate, even the super tankers and massive container ships have gone paperless. The catalyst for this evolution? The Electronic Chart Display and Information System, or ECDIS.

Let’s explore the advantages and disadvantages of ECDIS over traditional paper charts.

The Pros:

1. Availability: One of the primary advantages of ECDIS is the availability of electronic charts, especially beneficial when last-minute voyage orders are received. Gone are the days when Second Mates would pore over the NP 131 chart catalogue, order needed charts, and hope they arrived in time. Now, they can plot a rough course, generate a list of necessary charts, and receive activation codes for electronic charts within minutes.

2. Speed and Accuracy: With ECDIS, Navigating Officers can plan and summarize passages far more quickly and accurately than with paper charts. Many ECDIS units allow waypoints to be imported via Excel, reducing the need for manual input.

3. Corrections: Chart corrections were once the bane of every Navigating Officer's existence. Today, chart updates are received electronically and uploaded to the ECDIS, eliminating time-consuming manual corrections and reducing the risk of errors.

4. Continuous Monitoring of Vessel’s Position: ECDIS provides real-time positioning without user intervention, utilizing independent GPS transceivers. This system can be backed up with radar overlays and echo referencing, ensuring accuracy even if GPS signals are unreliable.

5. Anti-Grounding Alarms and Settings: ECDIS was initially developed as an anti-grounding aid. Its ability to sound alarms when approaching shallow waters remains one of its most valuable features. Its safety settings, like Safety Frame, Shallow Contour, Safety Depth, Safety Contour, and Deep Contour, provide navigators with essential alerts to prevent groundings.

6. User-Determined Alarm Settings: While some alarms are critical and default to ‘on,’ users can activate or deactivate others based on situational needs. It’s essential to balance the number of alarms to avoid either alarm deafness or missing critical alerts.

7. Enhances Search and Rescue Capability: Modern ECDIS units can interface with NAVTEX and EGC to display warnings and alerts, improving search and rescue efforts. They also offer Man Overboard (MOB) functions for quick rescue operations.

8. Cost Efficient: Though not cheap, electronic charts are more cost-effective than paper charts, which require physical delivery and handling fees. This can be especially costly with last-minute orders.

9. Environmentally Friendly: ECDIS helps reduce paper waste from outdated charts, making it an environmentally friendly option.

Cons:

1. Over-Reliance: ECDIS can create a false sense of security. Navigators may become overly dependent on it, neglecting essential skills like maintaining a visual lookout and radar watch. Relying solely on ECDIS without backup procedures can lead to major errors.

2. Garbage In, Garbage Out (GIGO): ECDIS relies on accurate inputs. Erroneous data from GPS or other sensors can lead to significant errors. Regularly checking and validating inputs is crucial.

3. Wrong Settings: Incorrectly set safety parameters, like Safety Depths and Contours, can falsely assure navigators of safe waters. Continuous verification of these settings is essential.

4. Alarm Deafness: Frequent alarms can desensitize navigators, causing them to ignore critical warnings. It’s important to choose alarms wisely to avoid this.

5. System Lag: With extensive data and various interfaced equipment, ECDIS can slow down, causing system lag. Regular hardware upgrades are necessary to ensure smooth operation.

6. Different Types: Unlike paper charts, ECDIS systems vary across vessels, requiring navigators to familiarize themselves with different types. Type-specific training by equipment manufacturers is often mandatory.

7. Anomalies: Navigators must be aware of potential ECDIS anomalies, like the SCAMIN function affecting visibility of certain data. Comprehensive familiarization with the system is a must.

8. Information Overload: ECDIS can display a lot of data, leading to cluttered screens and missed information. Careful management and use of hard copy passage plans can mitigate this.

9. Resistance to Change: Many seasoned navigators are accustomed to paper charts, making the transition to ECDIS challenging. Continuous training and support are essential for a smooth transition.

All said and done, ECDIS is here to stay and is the future of navigation. Despite its flaws, it remains a valuable tool for modern shipping.

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