Course description
Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) is a geographic information system used for nautical navigation that complies with IMO regulations as an alternative to paper nautical charts. The ECDIS course is designed to give in-depth training to all the members of the bridge watch keeping team in usage of ECDIS as an effective and efficient tool for navigation. It consists of theoretical lessons supplemented by various exercises on a dedicated state-of-the-art simulator. The course is based on the IMO Model Course 1.27 and is approved by The Directorate General Shipping, the statutory Maritime authority, appointed by the Govt. of India
Facility
The course is conducted in spacious classrooms with modern teaching aids to facilitate comfortable learning and is supplemented by exercises on a simulator. The simulator comprises a 130-degree visualisation bridge capable of being panned through 360 degrees with a full range of bridge equipment with MARIS ECDIS (an IMO-type approved navigation system) and real charts. The simulator is equipped with five different ship models that closely resemble the behavioural characteristics of ships at sea in various weather conditions. The faculty includes Master Mariners who have extensive experience using ECDIS equipment at sea
Objective
To enable effective navigation of the ship using ECDIS and enable identification of errors, limitations and risks of over-relying on ECDIS
Deck Cadet with pre-sea training and sea service of not less than six months as a Deck Cadet
Deck Rating with Certificate of Competency as Second Mate FG or NWKO- NCV
Trainees should possess a Certificate of proficiency for ROC & ARPA and have at least three months of sea service associated with bridge watchkeeping duties under the supervision of a qualified officer
The ECDIS support cell is a dedicated team within FMTI that provides technical assistance to our bridge teams who may have issues related to ECDIS, ENCs or similar navigational processes. It also provides guidance to crew for PSC and vetting inspections and oversees the 'management of change' for dual ECDIS vessels or during new ECDIS installation onboard.
To teams onshore, it provides support in drafting policies, analysis of vetting findings and incident investigation.
From time to time, the ECDIS support cell provides insights to key policymakers and industry stakeholders from UKHO, IHO and INTERTANKO to ECDIS manufacturers and ENC suppliers.
In parallel, the team provides bespoke training to class surveyors and auditors and has been a recipient of the Navigational Safety Award at the First World ECDIS Day.