| Print | Close Window | AMO Currents - Posted: August 29, 2017 |
U.S. Coast Guard: ECDIS updates to meet International Hydrographic Organization standards
The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, (2014 consolidated edition) Chapter V, Regulation 19.2.10 lists which ships engaged on international voyages shall be fitted with an electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS). Per 74 SOLAS (2014 consolidated edition) Chapter V, Regulation 27, all nautical charts necessary for the intended voyage shall be adequate and up to date. Additionally, Chapter V, Regulation 16.1 requires that adequate arrangements are in place to ensure the performance of a fitted ECDIS is maintained.
The Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the Tokyo MoU have agreed to begin a safety of navigation concentrated inspection campaign on September 1, 2017, following the guidance as listed in MSC.1/Circ.1503/Rev.1: ECDIS - Guidance for Good Practice. This guidance explains that where an ECDIS is being used to meet the chart carriage requirements of SOLAS, it should also be maintained so as to be compatible with the latest applicable International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) standards.
U.S. vessel owners/operators are encouraged to follow this guidance. U.S. vessel owners/operators that anticipate their vessel(s) will not meet the recommended ECDIS IHO standards by August 31, 2017 may wish to take the following steps when engaging on international voyages:
- Obtain and retain written confirmation which includes the intended service date to meet IHO standards from the respective ECDIS manufacturer and/or servicing company.
- Obtain and retain up-to-date nautical paper charts.
- If paper nautical charts are used, ensure navigation officers are fully competent in their use.
- Ensure ample advance notice of the situation is given to the Country's Port State Control being visited.
For foreign flag vessels arriving into U.S. ports, vessel owners/operators must ensure they are in compliance with the aforementioned SOLAS Chapter V, Regulation 19.2.10 and Regulation 27. It is also recommended that they are familiar with the guidance found in MSC.1/Circ.1503/Rev.1 - ECDIS Guidance for Good Practice. U.S. Coast Guard Port State Control Officers (PSCO) may verify compliance with SOLAS Chapter V: Safety of navigation, including functionality and operational requirements to ensure the vessel is navigating safely. If there are any disparities with ECDIS equipment/software, the vessel's master is encouraged to present the PSCO with proper documentation from the respective flag Administration, equipment manufacturer and/or technical servicing company.
Questions concerning this bulletin may be directed to the Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance, Commandant (CG-CVC) at (202) 372-1220 or via .
U.S. Coast Guard note: This release has been issued for public information and notification purposes only. This guidance is not a substitute for applicable legal requirements, nor is it itself a rule. It is not intended to nor does it impose legally-binding requirements on any party. It represents the Coast Guard's current thinking on this topic and may assist industry, mariners, the general public, and the Coast Guard, as well as other federal and state regulators, in applying statutory and regulatory requirements. You can use an alternative approach for complying with these requirements if the approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations. If you want to discuss an alternative approach (you are not required to do so), you may contact the Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance, Commandant (CG-CVC) who is responsible for implementing this guidance.
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