Kelvin Hughes unveils new e-navigation system

Kelvin Hughes has introduced an ECDIS for commercial shipping, naval and coastguard vessels. This has a military-specific processor, advanced light emitting diode (LED) display and software for displaying the latest electronic navigational charts.

ECDIS is type-approved to meet the latest International Hydrographic Office (IHO) standards as required by IMO. It is available as a standalone ECDIS or as part of a multifunction workstation on an integrated bridge network with multiple operator positions.

Kelvin Hughes said it would be ideal for new installations or retrofitting into existing workstations.

It has version 4.0 of the IHO’s presentation library S-52 standard. “This contains instructions for the drawing engine within the ECDIS on how to display symbols, colours and line styles on the screen and brings greater consistency to the display of ENC data while reducing alarm fatigue,” Kelvin Hughes said.

This ECDIS uses the InstaChart software architecture, which Kelvin Hughes said “dramatically reduces the waiting time for the user when loading ENC cells”. There is instantaneous chart redraw when an operator alters the zoom level.

Kelvin Hughes ECDIS has a series of new and improved features. These include:

• Look ahead – marker and depth areas relevant to the ship’s course at an adjustable time period.
• Anchor watch – visual and audible alarm of actual position in relation to swing circle.
• Anchor dragging risk – notifies if the anchor may be dragging and exceeds the new IEC 61174 standard.
• Navtex compatibility – removes the need to print messages as they can now be displayed on screen.
• Maximise chart area – provides the ability to hide the menu side bar.
• Best scale option – automatically selects the best chart viewing scale.
• Admiralty Information Overlay.
• AIS and radar target layers – supports additional layers.
• One-click chart updates and permit renewal.
• Remote diagnostics.
• Improved route planning tools.

LED widescreen displays are available in 22 in and 26 in sizes and the console display has an integrated fifth generation processor and 64 bit operating system.