Ecdis and voyage data recorder information can be used to minimise the risk of ship collisions and groundings, while training can prevent ship detentions
Analysis of the data from ecdis and voyage data recorders (VDRs) can highlight how ship captains and crew are risking multi-million dollar ships by disregarding safe navigation regulations. In one pilot project a US$18 million car carrier had 18 near misses, including four serious violations of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (Colregs) in one month.
After the VDR and ecdis data was shown to the shipmanager, and subsequently to the ship’s captain, the violations stopped. In the second month of analysis, the car carrier had no reported near misses and no Colregs violations. There were no more within the rest of the pilot project. This probably was because the crew were provided with fresh guidance and training on what the shipowner regarded as a near miss, and the bridge team became aware it was being watched.
Totem Plus provided the analysis and advice to the un-named car carrier owner using its new E-navigation Data Auditing (EDA) service that comes with its ecdis and VDRs. According to Totem Plus chief executive Azriel Rahav, Totem EDA can raise the safety standards of navigators on ships and identify those not following company safety rules. He was shocked by the results from the pilot project that demonstrated how crew violated Colregs multiple times in just one month of operation. This included voyages around northern Europe, and at least one near miss reported in the Dover Strait.
“We use data from VDR and ecdis to look for evidence of groundings and near misses, using sets of parameters such as sailing speed, water depth and distance from other vessels,” he told Marine Electronics & Communications. “In a pilot with a shipping company, EDA found 18 instances of near collisions in one month, including four major violations of Colregs. We issued a report to the shipmanager to demonstrate the way in which the captain and crew manage a US$18 million vessel.”
He continued: “Data was sent to the captain and next month there were no incidents. This shows that EDA minimises the risks, and improves navigation safety standards. If the crew know they are being watched, they will operate a vessel safely,” he commented. Owners can define criteria for the events for which they want to search. They can specify what they consider to be a near collision or near grounding.
“Owners can set their own navigation standards,” Capt Rahav explained. “They can set a minimum speed parameter, such as more than 10 knots, to remove data during port operations. EDA can examine near-collision data, replay it on a display, and highlight Colregs violations, such as a turn to port when another vessel is approaching on the port side.”
Owners can use the graphical data in training programmes to enhance navigation safety on their ships. They can also use the information to improve operational performance. “EDA analyses vessel efficiency with graphical trends so managers can check the autopilot fuel efficiency claims, check autopilot configuration and look at deviations from standards,” said Capt Rahav. Totem Ecdis is used on around 300 ships and Totem Plus expects ecdis to be installed on 60 more vessels during the fourth quarter of this year.
The safety of e-navigation is becoming increasingly important as port state control (PSC) authorities detain more ships because of ecdis deficiencies. Shipowners and managers were urged by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) to invest in crew training and to update the ship’s Safety Management System (SMS) to minimise the risks.
UKHO head of technical support and digital standards Thomas Mellor explained that once ecdis has been installed, shipowners, operators and managers must ensure vessels are compliant with all relevant ecdis-related IMO, International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and PSC requirements. He added: “This includes updating bridge procedures, upgrading the ecdis software to the latest IHO standards and ensuring that bridge teams are trained and certified in the operation of ecdis.
“There can be any number of reasons for non-compliance, ranging from inadequate detail in the ship’s SMS, a failure to use the latest electronic navigational charts for the voyage plan, or a bridge team unfamiliar with the use of ecdis,” Mr Mellor explained. “Whatever the reason, the penalties can be severe, whether through the costs of a delayed onward voyage or the impact on an owner’s reputation of a failed inspection. Most importantly, every incident of non-compliance is a potential threat to the safety of that ship and its crew, as well as to other traffic and the marine environment.”
Many more ship detentions for ecdis-related issues can be expected as other shipowners install these devices. Around 59 per cent of the 42,000 internationally trading vessels were ecdis-ready in September, according to UKHO data. This is up from 51 per cent in May this year.
Ecdis Ltd has started an ecdis annual competency assurance training (ACAT) service that owners can use to ensure crew pass PSC inspections. Managers can keep bridge teams up to date with the latest ecdis requirements and developments from 38 manufacturers. It will refresh crew knowledge of the operational capabilities of ecdis and the key functions for safe navigation. Ecdis Ltd said that ACAT ensures officers are updated on any changes to the make and model of the ecdis on board and are prepared for PSC inspection or an independent audit.
Da Gama Maritime has developed a UKHO-approved mobile device application for providing official paper chart corrections. Vasco App delivers information to mariners on electronic tablet devices. It was developed to enable multiple copies of the same chart to be recorded in the system.
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