The purpose of this publication is to assist mariners to acquire and maintain a high level of knowledge regarding the content and use of ENCs in ECDIS. It is intended to supplement and reinforce elements of ECDIS training on the use of chart data and its interpretation. It does not replace any of the training requirements set out in the international Maritime Organization (IMO) Model Course 1.27 or the Manila Amendments to STCW.

Navigation with ECDIS is fundamentally different from navigating with a paper chart. An ECDIS presents the navigator with a highly flexible display which, if correctly configured, offers a significant increase in situational awareness and safety. It should permit more time for the watchkeeper to maintain a proper visual watch. However, if the display and the ECDIS settings are not fully understood, then the chart display can be misinterpreted, and in the worst case the safety of the vessel compromised.

The computer-based training package has been developed by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office to assist ENC users in their transition to digital navigation. Designed to provide a deeper understanding of ENCs and their display on ECDIS, it supports ENC-related knowledge gained during generic and type-specific training. It may also be used to refresh knowledge or as a reference, and successful completion is marked by an official certificate.


The CD must be in the drive at the time of use. It has been designed to work on the following operating systems:
Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 and the following browsers:
Internet Explorer 6, 7, 8 & 9. Adobe Flash Player is also required which is included on the disc.

In addition to paper format and CD, this publication is available as an ADMIRALTY e-Nautical Publication (AENP). AENPs bring improved efficiency, accuracy and access to information bridge crews need through electronic NM updates and simple search functionality. (Please Note: Admiralty e-NPs are not downloaded directly from the site. All e-NPs need to be assigned once it has been purchased.)


Aims of the course:
A one day course that will give the participant a fuller understanding of the interaction between ENC data, ECDIS software and the ECDIS user.

Who would benefit:
The course is primarily designed for nationally accredited maritime lecturers or industry training professionals (training managers, superintendents etc). It may also be of benefit to personnel who fulfil a monitoring or assessment function (VTS operators, harbour controllers, port and flag state assessors etc) or those who offer an associated service such as pilots and tug masters. It is not designed for the direct training of bridge watchkeepers. Participants should have previously attended an ECDIS Operator STCW course accredited to the standards of the IMO Model Course 1.27 or the STCW 95 equivalent. 

Contents:
The following key topics will be examined:

• Construction of an ENC and the impact this has on its use in an ECDIS system
• Display of ENC data
• Display settings: understanding of the importance of navigationally significant settings and how these can be altered by the operator
• Accuracy of ENCs: understanding the quality of the data displayed on the ENC and how to check the level of confidence in its accuracy
• Loading and updating the ENCs: successful methods of maintaining charts including supply and support services
• Voyage Planning with ENCs: implications on voyage planning using ENC including appraisal, planning, execution and monitoring
• Procedural considerations when using ENCs: incorporating ENC related issues into bridge procedures.