CIRM publishes Guideline on ECDIS Performance Test Procedure

Comité International Radio-Maritime (CIRM), the international association of marine electronics companies, is pleased to announce publication of its Guideline on Performance Test Procedure for ECDIS.

The Guideline outlines a test procedure to be carried out on a ship’s Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) installation, to determine if the ECDIS meets the operational requirements defined by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). It describes a range of manufacturer-recommended tests and checks, which correspond to IMO’s requirements for ECDIS as laid down in SOLAS regulations V/19.2 and V/27, MSC.232(82) and MSC.1/Circ.1503/Rev.1.

Development of the Guideline was initiated in response to concerns raised by stakeholders across the maritime industry about the condition of in-service ECDIS, which are often found to have operational issues. Problems typically encountered include inadequate power supply arrangements, the running of outdated software versions, disabled audio signal for alerts, and the incorrect functioning of interfaces to connected equipment, among others. The Guideline was produced by CIRM’s ECDIS Working Group, with the input of ECDIS manufacturers, system integrators, and service providers.

Ultimately the purpose of the Guideline on Performance Test Procedure for ECDIS is to ensure that an in-service ECDIS is functioning properly, in the interests of safety of navigation.

CIRM’s Secretary-General, Frances Baskerville, said ‘I am very pleased that CIRM members have come together to develop a practical solution to industry concerns about the operational condition of ECDIS. The Guideline provides stakeholders with effective measures to identify and address ECDIS operational issues. With ECDIS being the key navigational tool on the bridge, it’s essential that systems function as IMO intended and so we are delighted to support industry with this new publication.”

The Guideline is free-to-use and available on the CIRM website (http://cirm.org/publications)