Results of USCG April 1994 Sea Trials on Updating an ENC

Irene Gonin and Marylouise Dowd

Abstract:	Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) holds great promise for improving navigational safely. One of the greatest potential contributions is in the area of automated chart updating procedures. At present, keeping paper charts up-to-date in the ever dynamic ocean/coastal/harbor environments is a labor-intensive process with risk of human error. With ECDIS and related digital database update techniques, this process can be streamlined. This paper discusses the results of the electronic chart updating sea trials performed as a cooperative effort of the United States Coast Guard (USCG) Research and Development Center, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Coast and Geodetic Service (C&GS), Intergraph Corporation, aboard the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) motor vessel, “RINGS POINTER . ” These sea trials were designed to examine the Intexnational Maritime Organization (IMO) Draft Performance Standard for ECDIS, Section 4, Provisions and Updating of Chart Information, to determine its adequacy. Participants included pilots, masters, mates and cadets; all under the age of 50 with medium to high familiarity with computers. In all 14 mariners took part. 10 of the 14 participants reported having some operational experience with electronic chart devices prior to their use of ECDIS for electronic chart updating. Results indicate that the mariners tested agreed with the guidance given in the IMO Draft Performance Standard for ECDIS on updating an Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC). Also important is the fact that direct feedback fi-om this updating sea trial has resulted in improved guidance in the International Hydrographic Organization (MO) S-52 Provisional Colours and Symbols Specifications for ECDIS.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 1995 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation January 18 - 20, 1995 Disneyland Hotel Anaheim, CA
Pages:	483 - 493
Cite this article:	Gonin, Irene, Dowd, Marylouise, "Results of USCG April 1994 Sea Trials on Updating an ENC," Proceedings of the 1995 National Technical Meeting of The Institute of Navigation, Anaheim, CA, January 1995, pp. 483-493.
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