ECDIS - Briefing

The Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) is an electronic navigational system. Where it is accompanied with adequate back up arrangements it can be accepted as complying with the up to date chart carriage requirement of Chapter V of the SOLAS convention. This means it may be used as the primary means of navigation.

In order to qualify as the primary means of navigation, the equipment must be type approved and certified by the relevant flag state as complying with the IMO Performance Standard for ECDIS.

Any system that has not undergone type approval and certification is known as an Electronic Chart System (ECS). This equipment can be used as an aid to navigation but is not suitable for use as the primary means of navigation.

This briefing is the first in a series of loss prevention publications relating to ECDIS. It focuses on some of the basics relating to the operation and use of ECDIS on board.