ENC Distribution Options Based on WEND

The electronic chart is a new technology capable of continuously determining a vessel\u27s position in relation to land, charted objects, aids-to-navigation, and unseen hazards. As a real-time navigation system, electronic charting provides significant benefits in terms of improvements in navigation safety, efficiency of maritime transportation, and marine environmental protection. In terms of system components, features and functional capability, there are two basic types of electronic charts. The most advanced form is an Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS). All other types can be regarded, generically, as Electronic Chart Systems (ECS). For an electronic chart to be considered an ECDIS, it must comply with the Performance Standards for ECDIS formally adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in November 1995 [1]. In particular, an ECDIS must use official Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) data in order to meet the chart carriage requirements contained in regulation V/19 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention as amended in 2000 [2]. IMO specifically requested that Member Governments have their National Hydrographic Offices (HOs) produce electronic navigational charts (ENCs) and the associated updating service as soon as possible, and to ensure that manufacturers conform to the performance standards when designing and producing electronic charting equipment

Inland Navigation Technology \u2709 - Digital Technology Impact on Safety and Efficiency

This workshop discussed the impact of digital technology on inland navigation safety and efficiency from the combined perspective government agencies and waterway operators. The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) described inland navigation Research & Development (R&D), related demonstration efforts, and Headquarters initiatives for safer, more reliable waterways and infrastructure. The US Coast Guard (USCG) addressed the latest developments in e-Navigation (e.g., electronic charts, AIS, and aidsto-navigation), and how these developments might affect inland waterways operations. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) discussed PORTS (Physical Oceanographic RealTime System) and other activities. Representatives from the Towing Industry, led by the American Waterways Operators Technology Steering Group, described current/future needs, as well as ongoing/planned initiatives to meet challenges associated with projected future increases in inland commerce

Marine Information Objects (MIO) and ECDIS: Concept and Practice

Marine Information Objects (MIOs) consist of chart- and navigation-related information that supplement the minimum information required by ECDIS to ensure safety of navigation at sea. As related to the use of Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) data, MIOs are additional, non-mandatory information not already covered by existing IMO, IHO, or IEC standards. Such information includes ice coverage, tide/water level, current flow, meteorological, oceanographic, and marine habitats. A Harmonization Group on MIOs (HGMIO) has been established between IHO and IEC to recommend additional data and display specifications that may be incorporated into future editions of IHO and IEC standards. This paper discusses the scope of MIO activities, particularly as it relates to the challenges of converting a wide variety of MIO-related information into suitable data formats for use with a type-approved ECDIS. This includes information that will be provided via shipboard Automated Identification Systems (AIS) and Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) centers. In particular, there are significant challenges related to developing data formats that deal with time-varying information (i.e., X, Y, Z and time), simultaneous display of MIOs with other chart and navigation-related information, and the means/process to disseminate in a timely manner

The Next Edition of IHO-S-57 (4.0): A Primer

The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) is an intergovernmental consultative and technical organization that was established in 1921 to support the safety of navigation and the protection of the marine environment. IHO Special Publication 57 (IHO S-57) is the IHO Transfer Standard for Digital Hydrographic Data. It is the standard to be used for the exchange of digital hydrographic data between hydrographic offices (HOs), and for the distribution of hydrographic data to manufacturers, mariners and other data users (e.g., GIS). It was developed so that the transfer all forms of hydrographic data would take place in a consistent and uniform manner. To date, S-57 3.0/3.1 has been used almost exclusively for encoding Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) required for ECDIS. However, S-57 is intended to support all types of hydrographic data. In order to do so, S-57 Edition 3.1 needs to expand in order to accommodate new requirements. This “Primer” explains what is planned in regard to the next edition of IHO S-57 (Edition 4). In particular, it provides a brief description about process required to align with ISO geospatial standards and the benefits to be gained. Included is an explanation about the scope of activity of the TSMAD S-57 Edition 4 Sub-WG, and how others may contribute to the process

Inland ECDIS Development and Standardization

Report on the work undertaken and progress made since CHRIS15 on developing and standardizing Inland ECDIS through North American and European collaboration, and future plan

Providing Meteorological and Hydrographic Information via AIS Application-Specific Messages: Challenges and Opportunities

AIS Application-Specific Messages (ASMs) transmitted in binary format will be increasingly used to digitally communicate maritime safety/security information between participating vessels and shore stations. This includes time-sensitive metrological and hydrographic (met/hydro) information that is critical for safe vessel transits and efficient ports/waterways management. IMO recently published a new Safety-of-Navigation Circular (SN.1./Circ.289) that includes a number of meteorological and hydrographic message applications and data parameters. While there are no specific display standards for AIS ASMs on shipborne or shore-based systems, IMO Has also issued general guidance for the presentation/display of ASMs (SN.1/Circ.290). It includes specific mention of conforming to the e-Navigation concept-of-operation. For any new IHO S-57 or S-100-related product specifications dealing with dynamic met/hydro information, IHO and its Member States should use the same data content fields and parameters that are defined in IMO SN.1/Circ.289. Also, there is a need to consider the implications of IMO guidance regarding the presentation/display of AIS ASMs on ECDIS

e-Navigation and Electronic Charting: Implications for Hydrographic Community

e-Navigation is a recent IMO initiative that aims to integrate existing/new shipboard and shore-based navigational tools into an “all embracing” system. Defined as: “... the harmonised collection, integration, exchange, presentation and analysis of maritime information onboard and ashore by electronic means to enhance berth to berth navigation and related services, for safety and security at sea and protection of the marine environment” the goal of e-Navigation is to provide an infrastructure that will enable seamless information transfer onboard ship, between ships, ship-to-shore, and between shore authorities. Core elements include high-integrity electronic positioning, electronic navigational charts (ENCs) and improved system functionality towards reducing human error. In particular, this means actively engaging the mariner in the process of navigation while preventing distraction and overburdening. There are two main challenges in going from concept to implementation. 1) Ensuring the availability of all components of the system and using them effectively in order to simplify the display of crucial navigation-related information. 2) Incorporating new technologies in a structured way, while ensuring that their use is compliant with the existing navigational communication technologies and services. To date, the primary focus of IHO Member States has been to complete ENC coverage for major shipping routes. However, e-Navigation has other implications for the hydrographic community, including: 1) Use of AIS binary messages 2) Standards for Displaying e-Navigation Information 3) Guiding Principles for e-Navigation-related Informatio

Harmonising Chart and Navigation-related Information on ECDIS

ECDIS is a real-time navigation system that integrates a variety of chart and navigation-related information. More than simply a replacement for a paper nautical chart, ECDIS is capable of continuously determining a vessel\u27s position in relation to land, charted objects, aids-to-navigation, and unseen hazards. Increasingly, ECDIS is being used for both navigation and collision-avoidance tasks. There is growing concern about the display of ever-increasing amounts of both chart and navigation-related information. When it comes to using ECDIS, displaying more information is not necessarily better. Too much information (i.e., clutter) may only lead to confusion. In this regard, there is need to \u27harmonize\u27 the simultaneous display of both chart and navigation-related information

e-Navigation: Challenges and Opportunities

e-Navigation is a recent IMO initiative that aims to integrate existing/new shipboard and shore-based navigational tools into an “all embracing” system. Defined as: “... the harmonised collection, integration, exchange, presentation and analysis of maritime information onboard and ashore by electronic means to enhance berth to berth navigation and related services, for safety and security at sea and protection of the marine environment” the goal of e-Navigation is to provide an infrastructure that will enable seamless information transfer onboard ship, between ships, ship-to-shore, and between shore authorities. Core elements include high-integrity electronic positioning, electronic navigational charts (ENCs) and improved system functionality towards reducing human error. In particular, this means actively engaging the mariner in the process of navigation while preventing distraction and overburdening. There are two main challenges in going from concept to implementation. 1) Ensuring the availability of all components of the system and using them effectively in order to simplify the display of crucial navigation-related information. 2) Incorporating new technologies in a structured way, while ensuring that their use is compliant with the existing navigational communication technologies and services. To date, the primary focus of IHO Member States has been to complete ENC coverage for major shipping routes. However, e-Navigation has other implications for the hydrographic community, including: 1) Use of AIS binary messages 2) Standards for Displaying e-Navigation Information 3) Guiding Principles for e-Navigation-related Informatio