Electronic Systems of Position Fixing
Electronic Systems of Position Fixing
STCW Code Requirements
The master has unlimited responsibility for the safety and security of the ship, its passengers, crew and cargo, and for the protection of the marine environment against pollution by the ship and a chief mate shall be in a position to assume that responsibility at any time.
Every candidate for certification as master or chief mate of ships of 500 gross tonnage or more shall be required to demonstrate the competence to undertake, at management level, the tasks, duties and responsibilities listed in column 1 of Section A-II/2 of the STCW Code; ‘using modern electronic navigational aids, with specific knowledge of their operating principles, limitations, sources of error, detection of misrepresentation of information and methods of correction to obtain accurate position fixing’.
The minimum knowledge, understanding and proficiency required for certification is listed in column 2 of table A-II/2. This incorporates, expands and extends in depth the subjects list in column 2 of table A-II/1 for officers in charge of a navigational watch. Table A-II/2 specifies 'Examination and assessment of evidence obtained from … electronic position-fixing systems, satellite navigation systems …'
Assessment in these subjects shall be designed to test their ability to assimilate all available information that affects the safety and security of the ship, its passengers, crew or cargo or the protection of the marine environment.
The master must ensure that his or her vessel has proper watchkeeping arrangements for maintaining a safe navigational watch. This includes communicating with the chief engineer to confirm that a proper watch is set in the engine room. The master being overall in charge, under his general direction, the officers of the navigational watch are responsible for navigating the ship safely during their periods of duty. In some cases, on smaller vessels, the master is required to stand a navigational watch.
Each individual bridge watchkeeper shall have the primary responsibility for safety of navigation, collision avoidance and stranding of the vessel. He or she shall ensure safety of life, property and the environment during all the times of his or her watchkeeping hours and be strictly sober at all times.
Use of electronic systems for position fixing
In recent years there has been rapid development and the accuracy and functionality of the equipment has increased considerably. All bridge watchkeepers must have certification to use this equipment, however there is a challenge in keeping up with the development of these devices. In particular there is a lack of standardisation with ECDIS units and the IMO has required that masters and mates be familiar with the specific ECDIS unit on their vessel.
Key points listed with regard to the use of electronic aids:
- Be aware that each item of equipment is an aid to navigation;
- Be aware of factors affecting the accuracy of position fixing systems;
- Appreciate the need to cross check position fixing information using other methods;
- Recognise the importance of the correct use of navigation aids and of the knowledge of their limitations;
- Be aware of the dangers of over-reliance on the output from, and the accuracy of, a single navigation aid.
Making regular checks is an essential part of good navigation practice. The ICS Guide states ‘in order to achieve a sound and efficient bridge organisation, procedures should be established to minimize the risk that an error made by one person will have disastrous and inevitable consequences. It must be common practice to be double checking one’s own work and checking the work of others.’
General requirements in accordance with Chapter V of SOLAS convention
- Navigational equipment provided on Bridge of every ship shall be as prescribed in Reg. 19 of Chapter V.
- All reasonable steps shall be taken to maintain the equipment in efficient working order.
- Malfunctioning of any equipment shall not make a ship unseaworthy or be a reason for delaying the ship in a port where repair facilities are not readily available, provided that the Master takes the defective equipment into account when planning safe passage to a port where repairs can be carried out.
- All electrical and electronic equipment on bridge shall be tested for electromagnetic compatibility, in accordance with IMO recommendations.
- Electromagnetic interference from electrical and electronic equipment, including portable equipment, shall not affect the functioning of the navigational systems and equipment.
- All equipment shall be of a type approved by the State.
- All equipment installed on any ship shall conform to the IMO performance standards as given in Chapter V.
- To ensure continuous compliance with the type approval, the manufacturers shall have a quality control system audited by a competent authority, or the competent authority shall verify the final product to ensure that it complies with type approval certificate, before it is installed on board ship.
- If any equipment, for which performance standards have been developed, is carried in addition to the equipment required by Chapter V, then such equipment shall also conform to the relevant performance standards.
- All equipment shall be subject to surveys along with other safety equipment in accordance with Chapter I of SOLAS convention.
