ECDIS-the intelligent heart of the hazard and collision avoidance system

Integrated Hazard & Collision Avoidance System (HACAS) has been proposed to unify the bridge displays for radar, charts, AIS, etc., and to give the user an option to choose and display what and when he or she requires, and to combine the data as the need be. Only the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) can fulfill the requirements of HACAS effectively. It can display charts and navigational information, radar/ARPA and AIS data. Additional data and information can be incorporated as required making ECDIS the most comprehensive safety device on a ship's bridge. ECDIS is regarded as the navigational and anti-grounding tool of a ship. However, its safety features are much more sophisticated and it should be regarded as the main safety tool onboard a vessel. In addition to displaying data from various sources and providing navigational tools, ECDIS can be considered an expert system capable of providing solutions to navigational and safety problems, and of automatic application of safety or emergency procedures. The new functionalities of dynamic depth and voice output will enhance further the safety value of ECDIS. Both these functionalities are already available and presented in this paper. Another important application of ECDIS as a hazard and collision avoidance tool is on the pleasure craft. Not many of these carry radar, and frequently have no room for additional dedicated displays. However ECDIS and its non-official counterpart, ECS (Electronic Chart Systems), are becoming prevalent on small vessels and will be the best means to display AIS and dynamic depth data. This will result in a considerable improvement in safety for small craft. Most of the modern navigational packages for the pleasure market provide all the important functionalities used by the commercial shipping, one of them comes already with voice output.