Ecdis Systems News

Pasha Hawaii's pure car/truck carrier (PCTC) Jean Anne has received an electronics upgrade, including the replacement of her navigation system.The update was performed by Mackay Marine in Vancouver, B.C., in just under three weeks, including time for sea trial and crew training. Project Manager Ben Staggs, and installers Hamid Nayebi and Don Kamachi, handled the entire retrofit without complications, removing the older electronics and replacing them with all-new Furuno equipment.Dual X-Band FAR2228 and S-Band FAR2238S Radar ensure that the 579-foot…

As part of the European Union (EU) Recognized Organization (RO) Mutual Recognition Type Approval scheme, EIZO Corporation has been awarded type approval from Lloyd’s Register (LR) for its 19- and 25.5-inch maritime monitors for an Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) with radar applications, the first European certificate for electrical equipment in Japan.The EU RO Mutual Recognition Type Approval scheme covers type approval certification on selected components…

Trading worldwide without electronic tools is no longer an option, young navigators and crew are switched on to digital technology and they want to have this new technology at their fingertips rather than the messy, slow and labour and paper-intensive methods of the past.Tor Svanes, the founder and CEO of NAVTOR, believes that electronic chart and display information systems (ECDIS) is now a must have navigational tool in the modern era.ECDIS has become the modus operandi on all ships…

It takes a thick skin to live in New York City, let alone to run its Staten Island Ferry service. James C. DeSimone, Deputy Commissioner, Ferry Division, New York City Department of Transportation, has been charged with running the ferry service for the last 16 years. We met with him for his insights on the challenges of keeping the iconic ferry running safely and efficiently.Jim DeSimone has led a maritime life, with his time equally split between the private and public sectors. His maritime affiliation is literally in his blood, as his father Guy J.

ECDIS Ltd have extended its Type Specific ECDIS ACAT (Annual Competency Assurance Training) portfolio to include the new JRC 7201/9201 and Furuno FMD ECDIS. Available online as well as the new offline downloadable version, ECDIS ACAT is used daily by shipping companies globally. At an average of only £8 per officer per year, the not-for-profit ACAT courses are fast becoming an essential tool for refreshing all training crew in the safe and efficient use of their onboard ECDIS systems.

In December 2016 RH Marine’s ECDIS has officially been certified to meet the latest international standards. RH Marine is one of the first suppliers to have a fully certified ECDIS complying with the updated International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) standard that will be effective on September 1, 2017. Almost a year ago the IHO and the IEC introduced new ECDIS standards. One of the biggest benefits of upgrading ECDIS systems to the latest S-52 Presentation Library will be a reduction in the number of audible alarms triggered by ECDIS…

ECDIS ACAT (Annual Competency Assurance Training): the Inspectors training in ECDIS has without doubt increased safety at sea as it highlights that not all is well, regardless of certificates held. Few are aware that the world is halfway through an international project to train around 1,000 inspectors and PSC officers in ECDIS. Without doubt, it has already dramatically increased the safety of navigation at sea by providing inspecting officers with all the relevant questions that need to be asked for all the 38 manufacturers, regardless of what certificates the officers hold.

The new Simrad M5027 optically bonded HD monitor for the commercial marine market is a 27” marine monitor designed to meet the color calibration requirements of ECDIS systems and the size requirements of 320mm CAT1 radar systems. According to the manufacturer, the Simrad M5027 monitor is built for long term, reliable operation with an optical bonded LCD as standard. Optical bonded displays eliminate the “air gap” issues of condensation, overheating and contamination common in lesser quality displays.

The IMO subcommittee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR) has extended the transition period for software updates to existing ECDIS for one year to August 31, 2017. The NCSR accepted the IHO’s proposal to give all ship owners using ECDIS more time to be able to obtain the correct software updates to the new IHO -52 presentation library and thus ensure compliance with the guidelines on Maintenance of ECDIS software contained in IMO MSC 1.circ 1503. The latest IHO Presentation Library (version 4.0) addresses the number one complaint leveled at ECDIS…

CherSoft’s professional navigation software Nuno Navigator now has access to a full portfolio of ENC charts from PRIMAR. ENC charts have traditionally been limited to ECDIS systems. Now, Nuno Navigator is bringing professional quality charts to smaller workboats, back offices, pilots, rig movement specialists and wherever a more complex and expensive ECDIS is not required. According to its developers, Nuno Navigator is particularly attractive to professionals needing a portable navigation system, who can travel with ENC charts on a rugged laptop.

Marine electronics group Navico is aiming for a top three position in the commercial maritime sector within 3-5 years. Maritime Reporter & Engineering News seeks to find out from Jose Herrero, MD,  the plans to accomplish the feat. Navico is a strong player in the recreational boating sector, claiming a 32% market share and well versed in investing in growth both organically and through acquisition, including a commitment to product development. Its ambitions in a crowded commercial sector will have to be backed by a continuation of this successful formula.

IHO announces new ECDIS Standards; 12 months to complete transition. Following the announcement of updated ECDIS Standards by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), the UKHO is encouraging all shipowners to speak to their ECDIS manufacturers to ensure a smooth, timely transition. The technical standards that govern the display of Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) within an ECDIS are the responsibility of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), the international body that coordinates the activities of the community of national hydrographic offices.

The U.S. Executive Branch has declared that the cyber threat is one of the most serious economic and national security challenges we face as a nation, and that America’s economic prosperity in the 21st century will depend on effective cyber security. Before the maritime industry sounds the danger signal, it needs to monitor other industries and branches of the government and take proactive preventative measures. There is no better place to prepare future and current mariners for these challenges than in maritime simulators.

New simulator wing features DNV certified VSTEP Dynamic Positioning and Full Mission Bridge Simulators and type approved ECDIS classroom. The simulation center of the Technical University of Varna officially opened its new simulation wing on May 21, 2015, following the opening of its simulation center in 2012. All the simulators in the TU Varna training center are delivered and installed by VSTEP. The new wing features a NAUTIS Class B DP Simulator as well as a NAUTIS class A Full Mission Bridge Simulator and a new ECDIS Simulator classroom.

Navico Holding AS, parent company to the Simrad brand of navigational marine electronics, has reached an agreement to acquire MARIS (Maritime Information Systems A/S) from The Grieg Group. MARIS is a supplier of data solutions to the commercial maritime sector related to navigation, voyage optimization and voyage monitoring. With well more than 10,000 navigation systems delivered, MARIS is a supplier of ECDIS systems globally. The MARIS ECDIS, radar/ARPA overlay to ECDIS, and VDR solutions complement Navico’s Simrad product portfolio, the company said.

U.S.-based maritime technology firm WR Systems has expanded its commercial maritime service network within the U.S. The opening of strategic service centers in Tampa, Fla. and New Orleans, La. complements the existing service hubs of Norfolk, Va. and Jacksonville Fla., the company said. WR devotes almost 100 technicians to the support of commercial, military and publicly owned vessel NAVCOM systems. The company is authorized to supply and service a wide range of leading marine electronics suppliers including Furuno…

Global chart distributor Nautisk has confirmed DNV approval for its Neptune Pay As You Sail (PAYS) Solution. PAYS enables users to access global ENCs for use with onboard ECDIS systems, while only paying for those that are actually used. Peter J Pran, Nautisk Project Manager said, “Despite a positive market outlook, demands on shipowners and vessel operators to make cost savings and optimize operational efficiency are continuing to increase. “Our PAYS solution gives both shore-based and onboard teams access to any number of ENCs that may be required for one particular trading route.

MarineNav Ltd. has developed its cost-effective Mariner Series specifically for commercial vessels requiring dedicated single-input marine grade displays. Ideal for use with Engine Management, Advanced Vessel Monitoring, radar and ECDIS systems, our Mariner displays feature optically-bonded AR glass, 300-400 nits brightness, IP 65 water-resistance (front), and dedicated backlit front controls. All of MarineNav’s displays are constructed from marine grade aluminum and come with a two year warranty.

Maritime training provider Seagull announced the release of its latest equipment specific ECDIS training module for Tokyo Keiki ECDIS. Developed in close cooperation with Tokyo Keiki, one of the major ECDIS manufacturers, this latest addition to Seagull’s range of type specific ECDIS training modules is designed to provide navigators with equipment specific familiarization training for the Tokyo Keiki ECDIS EC 7000A and 8000 series ECDIS. The ECDIS module is aimed at training…

Maritime training provider Seagull announced the release of an equipment specific training module for Japan Radio Co Ltd (JRC)’s ECDIS systems. Developed in close cooperation with JRC, one of the world’s leading ECDIS manufacturers, this latest addition to Seagull’s extensive library of eLearning modules is designed to provide navigators with equipment specific familiarisation training for the JRC ECDIS (JAN- 701B, JAN-901B, JAN-2000, JAN-901M and JAN-701). Targeting deck officers, the new course will allow shipowners and operators with JRC ECDIS on board their ships to meet the recently introduced regulatory requirement for equipment specific training in addition to generic ECDIS training.

Manufacturer of marine sunlight-readable displays, marine hardware and software products, Kessler-Ellis Products (KEP) Marine announce its new line of U.S.-manufactured, powerful, commercial-grade marine monitors and computers with Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) type approval. Built for reliable performance even in the most extreme marine conditions, the rugged and rigorously tested suite of displays and computers comply with International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations…

Moxa, a provider of industrial network, computer and display solutions, is pleased to announce the MC-7000 series of marine computers has been formally approved by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). Moxa’s MC-7000 computers are powered by the latest third-generation Intel  Core  processors, and deliver a full range of native shipboard networking interfaces with eight NMEA 0183 ports, two NMEA 2000 ports, four serial ports, four Gigabit Ethernet ports, six USB 2.0, and two USB 3.0 ports. Additionally, both AC and DC PSU options are available.

ProNav, the Norwegian distributor for Japan Radio Company Ltd. (JRC), was awarded a contract for supplying twenty two ECDIS systems to the entire fleet of Norwegian shipowner Misje Rederi AS. All eleven dual-systems will be supplied and commissioned by Brommeland Elektronikk AS, a part of ProNav's professional sales- and service network. The JRC ECDIS systems are supplied through a leasing program, and Misje Rederi is one of several other shipping companies finding this program as a good solution. Cost-wise it enables the possibilities to have the latest technology in the complete fleet at the same time, the company said, which again is beneficial in regards to type specific training, crew-changes, service etc.