Be competent and confident with ECDIS
ECDIS is the future basis of navigation in the world’s merchant fleet. It is essential that navigators of all ages and experience learn how to use ECDIS to make the best decisions possible.
Being competent is a legal requirement; being confident is showing professional pride. Continuous practice, self study, the use of scenarios are all useful ways to ensure confidence.
All ECDIS users must have passed an approved course based on the IMO ECDIS Model Course (1.27 – 2012 edition). They must also demonstrate ‘familiarisation’ with the onboard system before taking a navigational watch. However, no matter how good your ECDIS basic training is, when joining a new ship, you may come to the bridge for the first time and be faced with a fully integrated navigation system that is nothing like the one you trained on. Obviously, that is a long way from
ideal.
The Nautical Institute, in collaboration with the wider industry, has identified a list of tasks which need to be addressed when familiarising yourself with ECDIS. For more information on ECDIS, read issue 5 of The Navigator here. Otherwise click here or on the image below to read the full article.
