The International Hydrographic Office’s revised ENC standards for ECDIS will soon be in force, North P&I reminded its members on Friday. All ECDIS systems on board vessels will require a software update by August 31st 2017 to ensure they are in line with these revised requirements.
Updated functions will include the following:
Changes to the alarm and warning symbols on charts.
A modification to the drawing method for chart symbols.
Additional symbols and changes to the categories of some symbols.
Systems unable to accept the software update will need to be upgraded or fully replaced by this date. North warned that “given the potentially long lead times on such equipment, and possible installation delays in fitting, Members should investigate the requirements to avoid unwanted delays and costs”, since failure to meet the requirements by the above date could impact on a vessel’s seaworthiness and result in their vessels being detained by port state control.