Electronic Navigation charts

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Electronic Navigation charts Improving Safety & Efficiency of marine navigation -Cdr. V. Krishnan Infotech Enterprises Ltd Introduction Safety in Navigation has been of great concern to mariners since ages. The advancement in digital technology has contributed considerably to making this task easier. The provision of adequate Navigational Safety Services is an essential component under International Maritime Organization/ International Hydrographic Organization Conventions. The nautical charts in the electronic format is a revolutionary concept for enhancing navigation safety by automating various navigational routines, facilitating real time position fixing and integrating various ship borne sensors. Essentially an ENC is a presentation of hydrographic and navigational information in digital form. It is vector data composed of points, lines and area features with detailed attributes. From the relationships between these (points, lines and areas) and ship’s features it is possible for a ship-borne Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) to intelligently detect and alarm the navigator of possible dangers. This article tries to examine how an electronic chart represents an entirely new approach to maritime navigation. The next few paragraphs describe how ENCs provide significant benefits in terms of navigation safety and improved operational efficiency. Nautical Chart The need for accurate charts was recognized by the maritime community much early in the history. Even today the marine transport is completely dependent on charts to ensure a safe and responsible passage. Accurate and up-to-date nautical charts are the most basic navigational aid. A fix in a chart orients the mariner and answers the basic question namely “Where am I?”. More importantly, it answers a more relevant question “What does it mean to be here?”

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