The Nautical Institute announced today the
publication of “Industry Recommendations for ECDIS Familiarization” to promote
clarity around generic training and familiarization regarding Electronic Chart Display
and Information Systems.
The ECDIS Training Group, an industry body
made up of leading international shipping organisations and co-ordinated by The
Nautical Institute, the international representative body for maritime professionals
involved in the control of sea-going ships, has issued the
guidance.
Philip Wake MSc FNI, The Nautical Institute’s
chief executive, presented the training group’s findings at today’s ECDIS Revolution
conference in London, the institute says, and thanked its members for their
efforts in producing what he described as “an invaluable point of reference for
those keen to establish and follow best practice in relation to ECDIS.”
“As our industry moves away from depending
solely on paper charts, this guidance provides important clarification in terms
of the competencies required for what has become a vitally important navigational
and decision support tool,” Wake added. “The ECDIS Training Group first came
together in 2011 to tackle this issue and we are indebted to them for having
applied their expertise for the benefit of all of us in the maritime community.”
As part of its guidance the ECDIS Training
Group recommends that companies should establish clear guidance for the use of
ECDIS within their Safety Management System procedures, the institute says. It has
also produced a Familiarization Checklist that details tasks officers of the
watch of ships using ECDIS should be able to demonstrate competency in. The
checklist covers initial preparation, basic operation, charts, navigation tools
and functions, route planning and route monitoring.
The organizations supporting this guidance
are: BIMCO, GlobalMET, International Federation of Shipmasters’ Associations,
International Group of P&I Clubs, International Maritime Pilots’
Association, International Chamber of Shipping, InterManager, INTERTANKO,
International Shipping Federation, Marine Accident Investigators’ International
Forum, Oil Companies International Marine Forum and The Nautical Institute.
A copy of Industry Recommendations for
ECDIS Familiarisation is also available on The Nautical Institute's ECDIS forum
at www.nautinst.org/ECDIStraining.