iho test presentation library 4.0

ECDIS Presentation Library 4.0 and PSC Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on SAFETY OF NAVIGATION

The Maritime Authorities of the Tokyo and the Paris Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control will launch a joint Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on SAFETY OF NAVIGATION. The aim of the CIC is to check compliance with the applicable requirements of the SOLAS Convention, the overall status of the vessel’s navigation safety, and the competency of crew involved in navigation operations.

This inspection campaign will be held for three months, commencing from 1 September 2017 and ending 30 November 2017 . A ship will only be subject to one inspection under this CIC during the period of the campaign.

Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) will use a list of 12 questions to assure that navigation equipment carried onboard complies with the relevant statutory certificates, the master and navigation officers are qualified and familiar with operation of bridge equipment, especially ECDIS, and that navigation equipment is properly maintained and functioning.

This campaign is also related to standards updates that have been carried by IHO with further implementation by ship owners and ECDIS manufacturers.

One of the good tools for PSC visit preparation may be the ECDIS Familiarisation Recommendations by the Nautical Institute provided in the form of check-list.

During the last years ECDIS has been more commonly used on SOLAS vessels and with the ECDIS Carriage requirement a majority of vessels will be equipped with ECDIS by the end of this decade. The development of ECDIS is an ongoing process based on user needs, technology achievements and need for improvement related to safety of navigation. The need to improve previously adopted ECDIS Standard was also recognized by the IMO «in order to ensure the operational reliability of such equipment and taking into account the technological progress and experience gained» and resulted in a revised performance standard for ECDIS MSC.232(82) adopted in December 2006. In the same way the related IEC test standards, as well as the IHO standards used for production and presentation of Electronic Navigation Charts (ENC) have been revised periodically.

In Oct 2011 the IHO issued the ECDIS Data Presentation and Performance Checks , which included two fictitious ENC cells intended to assist mariners identifying if their ECDIS was using the latest IHO S-52 Presentation Library, edition 3.4. The dataset also highlighted if there were any known ENC display anomalies present in the system. Mariners were asked to run a series of quick tests using the check datasets within their ECDIS to ascertain if they were experiencing display issues. If the system was found to be running an old IHO Presentation Library or had a more serious display anomaly Mariners were advised to contact their ECDIS manufacturer or an appropriate equipment maintenance company to obtain software patches and investigate further to resolve the issues. Results of the tests were to be sent to the IHO for analysis and for use in revising IHO standards.

The IHO ECDIS Data Presentation and Performance Checklist were not intended for, and are not suitable to be used as a Port State Inspection / Carriage compliance test for ECDIS.

To address the display anomalies and improve the ECDIS user experience the IHO issued S-52 Presentation Library edition 4.0 in September 2014.

The IHO has coordinated with the IEC to align the issue dates of S-52 and IEC 61174 “ECDIS Operational and performance requirements, methods of testing and required test results” publications. This resulted in a new edition (4.0) of IEC 61174 being published in Aug 2015. These standard updates affect all new ECDIS systems and new installations from Aug 19 th 2015. Current ECDIS users have until Aug 31 st 2017 to update their systems to comply with the ECDIS software updating guidance in MSC.1.Circ.1503 “ECDIS – GUIDANCE FOR GOOD PRACTICE” .

Changes to the IHO S-52 Presentation Library introduced in edition 4.0 will invalidate the tests contained in IHO ECDIS Data Presentation and Performance Checks which were specifically designed and developed for ECDIS using the IHO S-52 Presentation Library edition 3.4 or earlier.

IEC 61174 ed 4.0 address the following main problems:

- Consistent use of symbols and abbreviations

- Alarm categorization

- Alarm visualization

- Reducing a number of audible alerts

- ECDIS default control settings Route exchange format «RTZ»

Set of new IHO standards address the following main areas:

- New design of Chart object info functionality (Pick report) makes access to ENC chart information easier and understandable for user

- Reorganization of alert management resulting in less alarms being generated by ENC objects

- Crossing navigational hazards (isolated dangers and aids to navigation) as well as areas with special conditions (TSS, anchorage areas, etc.) will generate only visible alarms now

- Safety contours continue to create audible and visible alarms

- Standardized way of making ENC update status report will allow mariners and Port State Control inspectors to confirm that the ENCs installed in an ECDIS are up-to-date

- ECDIS viewing groups extension based on Mariner feedback for detailed control of ENC features

- Chart management and ENC status reports

- ENC test data sets

- Other modifications - new symbols, names of fairways and anchorage areas, highlighting ENC updates, date dependent objects, new chart display layers, and some more

ECDIS and the IHO Presentation Library Edition Number

All ECDIS must have a function to display the edition number of the IHO Presentation Library that is in use within the ECDIS. The new IHO ECDIS Presentation Library edition 4.0 clause 19.1 states: ‘The edition number of the PresLib installed must be available to the Mariner on request’. This requirement is tested for in the standard IEC 61174 edition 4 clause 5.5.1 Presentation library (S 52/Annex A, Part I/19.1) ‘The edition number of the PresLib installed shall be available to the Mariner on request’.

All Mariners must familiarise themselves with the function in their ECDIS that will display the edition number of the IHO Presentation Library as this varies across ECDIS manufactures. This function will be required when Port State Control officers want evidence that the ECDIS is up-to-date to the latest IHO standards. MSC.1.Circ.1503: ‘Additionally, ECDIS software should be kept up to date such that it is capable of displaying up-to-date electronic charts correctly according to the latest version of IHO's chart content and display standards’.

ECDIS Chart 1 and IHO Presentation Library edition 4.0 checks

This is the IHO recommended method for checking that the ECDIS system can display symbols correctly. There is no intention for the IHO to issue a check data set for IHO Presentation 4.0.

ECDIS users can check that their systems are capable of displaying the new symbols introduced in the IHO S-52 Presentation Library edition 4.0 by opening the ECDIS Chart 1 datasets. ECDIS Chart 1 which includes a legend of symbols used in ENC’s, should be installed on all type approved ECDIS.

Any anomalies in the display, shall be reported to the ECDIS provider and the IHO at [email protected].

More details can be found at www.iho.int

Viewing ECDIS Chart 1, “Information about chart display (A, B)” within the ECDIS will only display the new symbols if the IHO Presentation Library edition 4.0 is installed.

( 1 ) The beacon and buoy features below (approx. position is 15°07.0’N 005°06.5’W) display the date dependent magenta ‘d’ symbol when the ECDIS date range is set between 01.04.2014 and 27.08.2014.

( 2 ) New indication highlight symbology for objects that pose a danger to the vessel.

( 3 ) Automatic update symbology for identifying where changes to the ENCs have occurred.

It will not be possible to view the new symbols, if the ECDIS software has not been updated to use the S-52 Presentation Library Edition 4.0.

Referring to mentioned above deck officers must know how to check their actual Presentation Library. Usually you can easily find it via so called “PIC report” enquiring ENC cell information. Let’s see how it’s done by example of two different systems.

IHO Presentation Library check on Transas Navi-Sailor 4000

This can be done in three steps:

( 1 ) Click “I” button on the console

( 2 ) TrackBall RightClick anywhere on the chart

( 3 ) Click “General” in the chart information field

As you can see, this ECDIS still runs with the old Presentation Library ed 3.4 from 2008.

Another tricky moment is that not every ECDIS clearly shows ECDIS chart 1 as it is. ECDIS chart 1 is split in several cells with names starting from “AA”. So, if one clicks “Task List” -> “Charts” he will be able to see charts “aa5cab1” and “aa5cab2”, which are supposed to be checked as per IHO recommendations. As mentioned above, it is not possible to view the new symbols, as the ECDIS software has not been updated to use the S-52 Presentation Library Edition 4.0

IHO Presentation Library check on Simrad Maris 900

This can also be done in three steps:

( 1 ) TrackBall RightClick anywhere on the chart

( 2 ) Click “Properties” on the context menu

( 3 ) Click “More” in the chart information field

This ECDIS already runs with the new Presentation Library ed 4.0 from 2014 . And if you access the Charts Management utility, you will be able to find ECDIS Chart 1 and the same notation for its cells. Checking cells “aa5cab1” and “aa5cab2” will give an exact match with example given by IHO.

I do hope that this information helped to clarify some concerns regarding ECDIS Presentation Library and corresponding checks and I wish you fair winds, following seas and no deficiencies!

Learn more about ECDIS operation and safety settings with our ECDIS Awareness course .  

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Checking the IHO S-52 Presentation Library edition 4.0 in ECDIS Background -IHO ECDIS Data Presentation and Performance Check

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Abstract: For the optimum situational awareness, navigators must recognise the level of display for objects presented when using Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS). The appearance and content of data displayed may be changed by the different settings as the display is generated in line with IHO Presentation Library (S-52) specifications. Improper management of the system may result in the anti-grounding alarms and other indications failing to activate as required for the safe conduct of the navigation. Navigators must exercise extreme caution when using the scale or zoom facility of the electronic charts. It is possible to zoom-in to a scale larger than that used in the compilation of the data which could create a false impression about the reliability of the charted information. Consequently, it could give a false impression of safe waters around the vessel where some dangers may not be shown due to the limitations imposed by original chart scale. Appropriate safety settings are of paramount importance for ECDIS display. Failings in appropriate settings have recently resulted a few grounding incidents (e.g. CSL Thames and LT Cortesia). The values for the safety depth and safety contour must be understood and entered to achieve a sensible and considered meaning. The navigators must remember that the display of underwater obstructions or isolated danger symbols can change according to the settings of this safety contour which also marks the division between " safe " and " unsafe " water. Additionally, the shallow contour could be utilised to indicate the gradient of the seabed (adjacent to a channel) and the deep contour to indicate the depth of water in which own ship may experience squat and interaction. This paper recognises the limitations of ECDIS display, the significance of appropriate safety settings as well as the alarm management.

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How to check ECDIS displays the latest symbols, IHO S-52 Presentation Library 4.0

All ECDIS should have been upgraded to the new IHO S-52 Presentation Library edition 4.0 by August 31st 2017.

IMO SN Circ 266 rev1 states;

ECDIS that is not updated for the latest version of IHO Standards may not meet the chart carriage requirements as set out in SOLAS regulation V/19.2.1.4.

Once upgraded there is no need to use the IHO Check Data Set to check that symbols are being displayed correctly.

To check that the ECDIS is correctly displaying the new symbols, the Mariner can check ECDIS Chart 1. ECDIS Chart 1 is a legend of the entire set of symbols that may be used within an ENC. It is installed on all type approved ECDIS systems.

Only ECDIS updated to IHO Presentation Library edition 4.0 will be able to show the new ENC symbols. 

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Ecdis operating with edition 4.0 of the iho presentation library.

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New ECDIS Data Presentation and Performance Check in ships

The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) issued a bulletin concerning its new ECDIS Data Presentation and Performance Check for ships. IHO says that the checks should be run at least once after installing an ECDIS.  A re-run is recommended only after a software update, system upgrade or change of equipment.  The results should be reported to the IHO if and only if anomalies are found.

Furthermore, IHO clarifies that the following checks are not intended for, and are not suitable to be used as a Port State Inspection / Carriage compliance test for ECDIS.

ECDIS operating with Edition 3.4 of the IHO Presentation Library (Annex A to S-52) 

Note: The associated datasets will be removed when the planned retirement date of Edition 3.4 of the IHO Presentation Library is reached.  The retirement date is currently set at 31 August 2017.

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The instructions for loading the data, carrying out the checks and submitting the results to the IHO can be downloaded here .

Background information:

• Letter to Ships’ Masters, Owners and Operators concerning the important ENC/ECDIS Data Presentation and Performance Check in Ships,
• Background Paper – ENC/ECDIS Data Presentation and Performance Check for Ships.

IHO suggests at those who find any difficulty to submit their results using:

• the Online Reporting Form or;
• the Standalone PDF Reporting Form

ECDIS operating with Edition 4.0 of the IHO Presentation Library (Annex A to S-52)

Changes introduced in Edition 4.0 of the IHO Presentation Library invalidate the tests contained in the ECDIS Data Presentation and Performance Checks, which were specifically designed and developed for ECDIS, using previous editions of the Presentation Library.

An ECDIS type approval certificate showing conformance with tests in edition 4.0 of IEC 61174 demonstrates that the ECDIS does not have any of the identified ENC display anomalies.

The subsequent guidance here  describes the method by which mariners may check the ECDIS displays for the new ENC symbols contained in Edition 4.0 of the Presentation Library.

IHO urges anyone who detects any anomaly in the display to contact the provider of the ECDIS and inform the IHO at info(at)iho.int.

Source: IHO

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ECDIS Presentation Library 4.0 and PSC Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on SAFETY OF NAVIGATION

The Maritime Authorities of the Tokyo and the Paris Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control will launch a joint Concentrated Inspection Campaign (CIC) on SAFETY OF NAVIGATION. The aim of the CIC is to check compliance with the applicable requirements of the SOLAS Convention, the overall status of the vessel’s navigation safety, and the competency of crew involved in navigation operations.

This inspection campaign will be held for three months, commencing from  1 September 2017  and ending  30 November 2017 . A ship will only be subject to one inspection under this CIC during the period of the campaign. 

Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) will use a  list of 12 questions   to assure that navigation equipment carried onboard complies with the relevant statutory certificates, the master and navigation officers are qualified and familiar with operation of bridge equipment, especially ECDIS, and that navigation equipment is properly maintained and functioning. 

This campaign is also related to standards updates that have been carried by IHO with further implementation by ship owners and ECDIS manufacturers.

One of the good tools for PSC visit preparation may be the  ECDIS Familiarisation Recommendations  by the Nautical Institute provided in the form of check-list.

During the last years ECDIS has been more commonly used on SOLAS vessels and with the ECDIS Carriage requirement a majority of vessels will be equipped with ECDIS by the end of this decade. The development of ECDIS is an ongoing process based on user needs, technology achievements and need for improvement related to safety of navigation. The need to improve previously adopted ECDIS Standard was also recognized by the IMO «in order to ensure the operational reliability of such equipment and taking into account the technological progress and experience gained» and resulted in a revised performance standard for ECDIS MSC.232(82) adopted in December 2006. In the same way the related IEC test standards, as well as the IHO standards used for production and presentation of Electronic Navigation Charts (ENC) have been revised periodically.

In Oct 2011 the IHO issued the  ECDIS Data Presentation and Performance Checks , which included two fictitious ENC cells intended to assist mariners identifying if their ECDIS was using the latest IHO S-52 Presentation Library, edition 3.4. The dataset also highlighted if there were any known ENC display anomalies present in the system. Mariners were asked to run a series of quick tests using the check datasets within their ECDIS to ascertain if they were experiencing display issues. If the system was found to be running an old IHO Presentation Library or had a more serious display anomaly Mariners were advised to contact their ECDIS manufacturer or an appropriate equipment maintenance company to obtain software patches and investigate further to resolve the issues. Results of the tests were to be sent to the IHO for analysis and for use in revising IHO standards. 

The IHO ECDIS Data Presentation and Performance Checklist  were not intended for, and are not suitable to be used as a Port State Inspection / Carriage compliance test for ECDIS. 

To address the display anomalies and improve the ECDIS user experience the IHO issued  S-52 Presentation Library edition 4.0  in September 2014. 

The IHO has coordinated with the IEC to align the issue dates of S-52 and IEC 61174 “ECDIS Operational and performance requirements, methods of testing and required test results” publications. This resulted in a new edition (4.0) of IEC 61174 being published in Aug 2015. These standard updates affect all new ECDIS systems and new installations from Aug 19th 2015. Current ECDIS users have until Aug 31st 2017 to update their systems to comply with the ECDIS software updating guidance in  MSC.1.Circ.1503 “ECDIS – GUIDANCE FOR GOOD PRACTICE” .

Changes to the IHO S-52 Presentation Library introduced in edition 4.0  will invalidate  the tests contained in IHO ECDIS Data Presentation and Performance Checks which were specifically designed and developed for ECDIS using the IHO S-52 Presentation Library edition 3.4 or earlier. 

IEC 61174 ed 4.0 address the following main problems: 

- Consistent use of symbols and abbreviations

- Alarm categorization

- Alarm visualization

- Reducing a number of audible alerts

- ECDIS default control settings Route exchange format «RTZ»

Set of new IHO standards address the following main areas:

- New design of Chart object info functionality (Pick report) makes access to ENC chart information easier and understandable for user

- Reorganization of alert management resulting in less alarms being generated by ENC objects

- Crossing navigational hazards (isolated dangers and aids to navigation) as well as areas with special conditions (TSS, anchorage areas, etc.) will generate only visible alarms now

- Safety contours continue to create audible and visible alarms

- Standardized way of making ENC update status report will allow mariners and Port State Control inspectors to confirm that the ENCs installed in an ECDIS are up-to-date

- ECDIS viewing groups extension based on Mariner feedback for detailed control of ENC features

- Chart management and ENC status reports

- ENC test data sets

- Other modifications - new symbols, names of fairways and anchorage areas, highlighting ENC updates, date dependent objects, new chart display layers, and some more

ECDIS and the IHO Presentation Library Edition Number

All ECDIS must have a function to display the edition number of the IHO Presentation Library that is in use within the ECDIS.  The new IHO ECDIS Presentation Library edition 4.0 clause 19.1 states: ‘The edition number of the PresLib installed must be available to the Mariner on request’. This requirement is tested for in the standard IEC 61174 edition 4 clause 5.5.1 Presentation library (S 52/Annex A, Part I/19.1) ‘The edition number of the PresLib installed shall be available to the Mariner on request’. 

All Mariners must familiarise themselves with the function in their ECDIS that will display the edition number of the IHO Presentation Library as this varies across ECDIS manufactures.  This function will be required when Port State Control officers  want evidence that the ECDIS is up-to-date to the latest IHO standards. MSC.1.Circ.1503: ‘Additionally, ECDIS software should be kept up to date such that it is capable of displaying up-to-date electronic charts correctly according to the latest version of IHO's chart content and display standards’. 

ECDIS Chart 1 and IHO Presentation Library edition 4.0 checks

This is the  IHO recommended method  for checking that the ECDIS system can display symbols correctly. There is no intention for the IHO to issue a check data set for IHO Presentation 4.0.

ECDIS users can check that their systems are capable of displaying the new symbols introduced in the IHO S-52 Presentation Library edition 4.0 by opening the ECDIS Chart 1 datasets. ECDIS Chart 1 which includes a legend of symbols used in ENC’s, should be installed on all type approved ECDIS. 

Any anomalies in the display, shall be reported to the ECDIS provider and the IHO at [email protected]. 

More details can be found at  www.iho.int

Viewing ECDIS Chart 1, “Information about chart display (A, B)” within the ECDIS will only display the new symbols if the IHO Presentation Library edition 4.0 is installed. 

( 1 ) The beacon and buoy features below (approx. position is 15°07.0’N 005°06.5’W) display the date dependent magenta ‘d’ symbol when the ECDIS date range is set between 01.04.2014 and 27.08.2014. 

( 2 ) New indication highlight symbology for objects that pose a danger to the vessel. 

( 3 ) Automatic update symbology for identifying where changes to the ENCs have occurred. 

It will not be possible to view the new symbols, if the ECDIS software has not been updated to use the S-52 Presentation Library Edition 4.0.

Referring to mentioned above deck officers  must know  how to check their actual Presentation Library. Usually you can easily find it via so called “PIC report” enquiring ENC cell information. Let’s see how it’s done by example of two different systems.

IHO Presentation Library check on Transas Navi-Sailor 4000

This can be done in three steps:

( 1 ) Click “I” button on the console

( 2 ) TrackBall RightClick anywhere on the chart

( 3 ) Click “General” in the chart information field

As you can see, this ECDIS still runs with the old Presentation Library  ed 3.4 from 2008.

Another tricky moment is that not every ECDIS clearly shows ECDIS chart 1 as it is. ECDIS chart 1 is split in several cells with names starting from “AA”. So, if one clicks “Task List” -> “Charts” he will be able to see charts “aa5cab1” and “aa5cab2”, which are supposed to be checked as per IHO recommendations. As mentioned above, it is not possible to view the new symbols, as the ECDIS software has not been updated to use the S-52 Presentation Library Edition 4.0

IHO Presentation Library check on Simrad Maris 900

This can also be done in three steps:

( 1 ) TrackBall RightClick anywhere on the chart 

( 2 ) Click “Properties” on the context menu 

( 3 ) Click “More” in the chart information field

This ECDIS already runs with the new Presentation Library  ed 4.0 from 2014 . And if you access the Charts Management utility, you will be able to find ECDIS Chart 1 and the same notation for its cells. Checking cells “aa5cab1” and “aa5cab2” will give an exact match with an example given by IHO.

I do hope that this information helped to clarify some concerns regarding ECDIS Presentation Library and corresponding checks and I wish you fair winds, following seas and no deficiencies!

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