UKHO warns of ship detentions for e-chart avoidance and/or foot-dragging
THE United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) has called for shipowners, operators and managers to exercise greater vigilance to tackle the rise in ECDIS (electronic chart display information systems) related detentions.
Speaking at SMM 2016 in Hamburg, UKHO's technical support and digital chief Thomas Mellor said ECDIS can deliver benefits for safe, compliant and efficient navigation.
But too often bridge teams find fault with the ECDIS gear and rely on their old methods of navigation which have now become illegal.
"Once installed, operators and managers must fulfil their responsibilities for its ongoing use, including compliance with all relevant regulations," said Mr Mellor.
"This includes updating their bridge procedures, upgrading their ECDIS software to the latest IHO ENC standards and, above all, ensuring that bridge teams are trained and certified in the operation of ECDIS and in line with the requirements of Port State Control inspections and audits," he said.
"With a growing majority of the global fleet having completed the switch to digital navigation, evidence is emerging that the number of ECDIS-related issues during inspections and audits is on the rise," said the UKHO release.
"For example, earlier this year, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) reported a significant increase in the number of ships detained because of ECDIS deficiencies.
"The consequences of ECDIS deficiencies during inspections were highlighted in the recent case of a ship detained in Brisbane by AMSA, due to a lack of on board familiarisation training in the use of ECDIS.
"This required an ECDIS trainer to be flown in from Singapore to train the crew. The vessel, which had passed through the Great Barrier Reef, was released from detention upon completion of crew training.
THE United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) has called for shipowners, operators and managers to exercise greater vigilance to tackle the rise in ECDIS (electronic chart display information systems) related detentions.
Speaking at SMM 2016 in Hamburg, UKHO's technical support and digital chief Thomas Mellor said ECDIS can deliver benefits for safe, compliant and efficient navigation.
But too often bridge teams find fault with the ECDIS gear and rely on their old methods of navigation which have now become illegal.
"Once installed, operators and managers must fulfil their responsibilities for its ongoing use, including compliance with all relevant regulations," said Mr Mellor.
"This includes updating their bridge procedures, upgrading their ECDIS software to the latest IHO ENC standards and, above all, ensuring that bridge teams are trained and certified in the operation of ECDIS and in line with the requirements of Port State Control inspections and audits," he said.
"With a growing majority of the global fleet having completed the switch to digital navigation, evidence is emerging that the number of ECDIS-related issues during inspections and audits is on the rise," said the UKHO release.
"For example, earlier this year, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) reported a significant increase in the number of ships detained because of ECDIS deficiencies.
"The consequences of ECDIS deficiencies during inspections were highlighted in the recent case of a ship detained in Brisbane by AMSA, due to a lack of on board familiarisation training in the use of ECDIS.
"This required an ECDIS trainer to be flown in from Singapore to train the crew. The vessel, which had passed through the Great Barrier Reef, was released from detention upon completion of crew training.