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gational method applied ß eet wide. With the investment in integrated bridge systems on their newbuilds, SeaRiver has opted to Þ t out the other two like the new ones. This decision could be viewed as tacit recognition that adding ECDIS navigation to traditional paper-based prac-tices is both burdensome to the watch, and does not neces- sarily add safety in a consistent manor. Although scientiÞ c studies on this effect are rare, anecdotally, this is no sur- prise amongst navigating mariners since the mid 1990Õs, especially with the advent of ECS and raster or proprietary vector charts. REAL LIFE: ACTUAL PRACTICE Mariners go on watch intending, like most profession- als, to carry out their duties correctly. When workloads become unmanageable, equipment is unfamiliar, and pro- cedures unclearly deÞ ned (often undeÞ ned over the years in the case of ECDIS), then corners are cut. Position plots and DRÕs and Ôset & driftÕ calculations may be left undone, with the assumption that the ECDIS/ECS has the solu-tions, leaving decision making deceptively less informed when the digital systems are poorly set up. To develop and rehearse paperless navigation procedures and skills, SeaRiver management intends to take on EC- DIS refresher training in a 5-year cycle. Considering what is in store for the advancement of ENC data transfer stan- dards, as S-101, such refresher training will likely gain a relevance not seen before in the maritime profession. In 5-7 years, the transition will begin from S-57 to S-101. The new ENC format will allow many technical changes directly affecting the usefulness and presentation of chart- related information. Besides making readable external Þ les such as dredged channel survey depths, S-101 will contain the facility to allow continual development of additional applications. What this means to ECDIS manufacturers is the development of an updated version that meets an as- yet unwritten new Performance Standard to adopt S-101. What this means to hydrographic ofÞ ces (HO) is that ex- isting S-57 data will be provided to the user pre-converted to S-101, so as to be readable in the new ECDIS version. At the same time, HOÕs will be facing the prospect of cre- ating new S-101 cells, however incrementally. Refresher ECDIS training will be an understatement.REGULATORY UNCERTAINTY In 2004, Congress amended the Ports and Waterways Safety Act of 1972 broadly requiring the use of electronic charts in navigable waters of the U.S., allowing for indi- vidual vessel exemptions and waivers, and directed the USCG to implement this addition to the law before 2007 (33 U.S.C. 1223(a)). The USCG implemented portions of the PWSA beginning in 1983 as 33CFR160 with amend-ments as recent as 2011, but without addressing the use of electronic charts. In the absence of such rulemaking, the USCG, ironi- cally, is able to grant waivers to allow for paperless navi- gation by SOLAS classed ships sailing domestically under US ß ag. The rule that would allow this has been in place (33CFR164.55) since 1977 for navigation safety regula- tions in general, and since 1951 for waivers of navigational compliance (33CFR19.01). Soon there may be some prominent shipping companies who will make use of this. All of it will impact domestic operators Ð no matter where and on what platform they sail on.NAVIGATION (Captain) Christian Hempstead sailed for 19 years as junior and senior deck ofÞ cer with SeaRiver Maritime Inc. on all manner of tank vessels, including 5 years re- sponsible for type-approved EC- DIS and other electronic chart systems as watchstanding naviga-tion ofÞ cer. Upon coming ashore, he was instructor & developer at PMI & MITAGS in Seattle for 4 years, followed by 9 years as Professor at United States Merchant Marine Academy, teaching integrated naviga- tion and was director of nautical simulation. A princi- pal contributor to the ECDIS training requirements in the 2010 Manila Amendments to the STCW Code and Guidance, he is the author of the revised ECDIS Model Course 1.27 (2012 edition). Today, he manages his con- sultancy Hempstead Maritime Training, LLC, full time. www.marinelink.com MN 43MN Dec2013 Layout 32-49.indd 43MN Dec2013 Layout 32-49.indd 4311/25/2013 12:51:14 PM11/25/2013 12:51:14 PM
