The Popularization of ECDIS

Published:2011/10/25 21:10:00 Author:Li xiao na From:SeekIC

For the drivers, Satnavs are the first choice. When it comes to the navigators, they have many choices, such as the GPS, paper maps, radar and ordinary radio communications. Recently, the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) becomes very popular among the devices. It is a kind of Google Maps for ships.

The GPS, radar and the Automatic Identification System (AIS) integrated in the ECDIS. It broadcasts to ships through the radio signals. The vessel’s position is also displayed on an electronic map in real time, along with precise reading of the local water depth. The UN International Maritime Organization will make a mandate to require many international commercial ships to use ECIDS. But the compulsory still goes very slow.

As we know the effect of the shipping disaster will become very serious, and it will last for a long time. According to a 2007 study by Rolf Skjong at risk management firm Det Norske Veritas in Høvik, Norway, ECDIS is able to reduce the number of chip that run aground by 38%. The ECDIS is the best navigation aid after the emergence of radar. IMO wants all ships built after mid-2012 to be fitted with ECDIS. Depending on whether they carry passengers or cargo, the existing ships have different compliance dates, but this device will be fitted to all the ships by the middle of 2018.

The navigators are simply used to old-fashioned paper, which is the reason of slow popularization. Now, the paper charts are in the process of making. Only 60% of the detailed electronic charts were available in May 2008, and this ratio grows to 90% in this year.

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