Topic 7 Electronic Charts

LO1.7: Differentiate Electronic Chart System (ECS) to ECDIS as per various data format
including CATZOC that has been used in safe navigation

The Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) is a development in the
navigational chart system used in naval vessels and ships. With the use of the electronic chart system,
it has become easier for a ship’s navigating crew to pinpoint locations and attain directions. It can
display all the necessary geographic information a crew needs to complete a voyage.

The term “electronic chart” (EC) is generally used to refer to graphical representations of the
geographic features on the surface of Earth along with their geospatial information in a database
that can be displayed graphically or viewed as text.

There are two types of electronic charts that an ECDIS can display: Raster Navigational Charts (RNCs)
and Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs,) otherwise known as vector charts.

Raster Chart (RNC): RNCs are a direct copy or a scan of the paper charts. It looks identical to a
paper chart as all the information shown is directly printed. The chart only grows larger or smaller as
per the zooming and when rotated, everything rotates.
RNCs are simply an electronic image of a paper chart. They are digitized by scanning the paper chart
and converting each line to a raster picture element or “pixel”. Beyond geo-referencing (positioning
the scanned chart so that it appears in the right location with correct x and y coordinates), there is no
intelligence or extra data in the raster image.

Vector Chart (ENC): ENCs are computer-generated charts. The details on an ENC can be turned on
and off depending on the requirement of the user. Objects on the ENC can be clicked for more
details on the same. Depths can also be monitored to obtain a warning with regard to grounding.
When zooming, the features grow large or small but the text remains the same.
ENCs are "smart charts", which means the user can click on different features, such as a light or buoy,
to retrieve additional information not available in paper or raster charts. For example, a wharf
appears only as an image on an RNC, but an ENC can identify it as a wharf and attach attributes to it
such as height, length, age, ownership, number of berths, etc. This additional data, which is
contained directly within the ENC, might otherwise only be available by consulting the relevant
Sailing Directions publication.

What are the Regulations for Using Electronic Charts?

The IMO requires that when using a type -approved ECDIS:

 ENCs can be used for primary navigation in place of paper charts, provided there is a suitable
backup (e.g. another ECDIS with a separate power supply, or an appropriate folio of up to date
paper charts).
 RNCs, when used in conjunction with ENCs (to fill the gaps in coverage) can be used for primary
navigation together with an appropriate folio of up to date paper charts.
 What is considered 'an appropriate folio of up to date paper charts' varies between flag states,
and may or may not represent a reduction in the number of paper charts required to be carried.
What is ECS or ELECTRONIC CHART SYSTEM?
ECS are Electronic Chart Systems that electronically display the real-time vessel position and relevant
nautical chart data and information from the ECS Database on a display screen, but do not meet all
of the IMO requirements for ECDIS and are not intended to satisfy the SOLAS Chapter V requirement
to carry a navigational chart.

Electronic Chart System (ECS) is a new type of vessel navigation system and aid in decision making
system. It can not only continuously give out the position of the vessel but also provide various types
of information relating to navigation to effectively prevent all kinds of hazards.

What is the difference between ECS and ECDIS?

In everyday life the terms Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) and Electronic
Chart System (or ECS) have become virtually interchangeable, but from a regulatory perspective
ECDIS and ECS are far from equal. A genuine ECDIS is a high quality ECS that meets the requirement
of the IMO performance standard and has been tested by an independent type -approval authority.
Only type approved ECS can legitimately be called ECDIS and only they are considered by the
regulatory authorities to meet the requirements of SOLAS. A laptop with navigational software (ECS).
An ECDIS within an Integrated Bridge System (IBS). It is important to note that when used to display
non-SOLAS-compliant electronic charts, an ECDIS is classified as an ECS and can only be used as an
aid to navigation.

Components of ECS and ECDIS

The terms ECS and ECDIS encompasses many possible combinations of equipment and software
designed for a variety of navigational purposes. In general, the following components comprise an
ECS or ECDIS.
• Computer processor, software, and network: These subsystems control the processing of
information from the vessel's navigation sensors and the flow of information between various system
components. Electronic positioning information from GPS or DGPS, contact information from radar,
and digital compass data, for example, can be integrated with the electronic chart data.

• Chart database: At the heart of any ECS lies a database of digital charts. It is this dataset, or a
portion of it, that produces the chart seen on the display screen.

• System display: This unit displays the electronic chart and indicates the vessel's position on it, and
provides other information such as heading, speed, distance to the next waypoint or destination,
soundings, etc. There are two modes of display, relative and true. In the relative mode the ship
remains fixed in the center of the screen and the chart moves past it. This requires a lot of computer
power, as all the screen data must be updated and re-drawn at each fix. In true mode, the chart
remains fixed and the ship moves across it. The display may also be north-up or course-up,
according to the availability of data from a heading sensor such as a digital compass.

• User interface: This is the user's link to the system. It allows the navigator to change system
parameters, enter data, control the display, and operate the various functions of the system. Radar
may be integrated with the ECDIS or ECS for navigation or collision avoidance but is not required by
SOLAS regulations.
What is CatZoc?
CatZoc (Categories of Zone Of Confidence) is a rather simple aspect of understanding ECDIS and
electronic nautical charts (ENCs). These are the values that used to highlight the accuracy of data
presented on charts. On ECDIS, the CatZocs are symbolized by a number of stars. A map with six
stars means the information is very accurate and with two stars very inaccurate.

There are two different types of symbols for Zones of Confidence in an ENC:
• Downward triangle
• Horizontal bar
There are two validations of Zones of Confidence:
• Assessed
• Unassessed
Areas that have been assessed are symbolized by the number of stars inside the triangle or bar.
Areas which have not been assessed are symbolized by the letter U inside the bar.

To understand the ZOC better, let us discuss the various aspects of the survey used to determine the
category of ZOC.

Position Accuracy: Position accuracy refers to the horizontal accuracy of a depth or feature. Quite
self-explanatory, position accuracy gives the OOW a better understanding of the position at which
the survey was made

Depth Accuracy: While not in order of importance, for the purposes of understanding, we can say
that the depth accuracy holds extreme importance to determine the UKC and thereby minimise the
risk of grounding, smelling the ground, bank/canal effect, squat etc. Depth accuracy refers to the
vertical accuracy of recorded depths.

Seafloor Coverage: This gives us an idea of the extent of the area that was used to obtain said data
and automatically indicates its umpteen importance. Obviously, the wider area covered with a higher
frequency of data taken will help ascertain the reliability of the bathymetric data.

Survey Characteristics: This section in the ZOC diagram gives out any specific information
pertaining to the specific category of the data. For example, in category A1 (explained later) it may
be mentioned that the data was obtained with the best possible survey and accuracy using a DGPS
as well as LOP

CatZoc and its importance for safe navigation

As there are several parts of the water that were mapped years ago, with different technological
means, it is expected to not trust all the measurements. The main possible errors may concern the
actual depth measurement, as well as the position at which the depth measurement is depicted. At
the same time, the potential errors of these two variables are not constant.
In this respect, a CATZOC (also known as Zone of Confidence) is a deviation that helps make sure
which of these variables are accurate and to what extent errors are expected. Considering the
possible error on depth and position, the data is divided into 6 confidence zones (CATZOC):
The zones of confidence above provide the maximum errors per depth and position. As such, CatZoc
(Categories of Zone Of Confidence) is a rather simple aspect of understanding ECDIS and electronic
nautical charts (ENCs). On ECDIS, the CatZocs are symbolized by a number of stars. A map with six stars
means the information is very accurate and with two stars very inaccurate.

Topic 8
Chart presentation and data quality
LO1.8: Determine factors that characterize and modify chart presentation and its data quality
including the CATZOC

The following are the factors that affects and modifies chart presentation as well as its data quality.

ECDIS

ECDIS is the successor of the paper navigation chart. Chart data is nowadays presented on a computer
screen, together with the actual GPS position of the vessel. If available, ECDIS systems use vector charts
(ENC), rather than raster charts (RNC). Because all ENC data is vectorized, there will be no image
degradation when zooming in and out. Nautical information is conveniently categorized in layers, and by
switching certain layers on and off, the navigating officer can select a level of detail that is appropriate
for the actual situation.

Risks of layering

An important layer is the CATZOC (Category Zones of Confidence). This provides a visual representation
of the reliability of the chart data. CATZOC information is represented by visually detailed symbols
covering the entire chart. This representation clutters the chart image, reducing its readability. In many
regions the chart data is of good quality, so the layer is off by default and normally only switched on for
voyage planning.

Ambiguous presentation of sector lights

Sector lights are beacons that use multiple colour light beams to guide ships around dangerous areas,
like subsea obstacles. In ECDIS sector lights are on a separate layer and switched off by default. Unlike
the paper chart versions, ECDIS sector light symbols provide no link to the specific danger they are
marking. The officer has to consult pilot documents to be sure about their meaning. The safety board
concluded that sector light indication on the ENC chart is not intuitive, so interpretation errors are
plausible.
Complicated User interfaces

There are about 40 different ECDIS systems on the market. Although the format of nautical information
is standardized, the User Interfaces are not. Most systems have many advanced functions, settings and
personalization options, often hidden in several menu layers. Therefore the systems are substantially
more complex to use than a traditional paper chart.

Wrong impression of chart quality

All vectorized ENC charts look modern and visually detailed. The image quality of ENC maps is not
affected by zooming in, and together with the accurate shape, size and GPS representation of the vessel
itself, the user easily gets a false impression of overall accuracy. The underlying chart data can still be
obsolete or of much lower precision.

Zooming in and out

The possibility to zoom in may help to get a detailed view of the area close around the ship, but the user
looses overview of the larger situational context.

Better no information than wrong information

Every time an officer uses an EDCIS chart of good quality, resulting in a successful voyage, the worldwide
trust in this particular information source will increase a little bit. Since the Greek authorities have not
enough capacity to provide reliable nautical charts for their entire maritime area, it can be considered to
provide no ECDIS charts at all for areas with known reliability issues. If a ships crew still wants to enter
this area, they should be using the traditional paper charts instead. This is a clear sign for the officer to
be extra vigilant, and pay attention to additional information sources, like pilot documents.

Visual conspicuity

A navigation officer is confronted with a lot of information, like direct vision, ECDIS, radar, traffic lights,
conning screen, instruments, radio, et cetera. All these information sources are constantly competing for
the officer’s attention. Therefore it is essential that the most important information is always displayed
in the most prominent way. This principle is called visual conspicuity.

Size and importance

Subsea rocks are often pointy shaped, which can result in a very small representation on the chart.
Without clear visual markers rocks can easily be overlooked, both on ECDIS and paper charts. the
geographical size of this representation is correct, regarded from its relative importance to the ships
safety, it appears to be too small.
Viewing distance and workplace design

The human visual perception system allows us to recognize small details from a relatively large distance.
This is possible because our memory seamlessly fills in any missing visual information. The other side of
this effect is that people tend to be too optimistic about the degree of detail they can actually see.

Layering

Switching layers on and off seems to be convenient, but evidently it is not possible to visualize which
information is not shown. Instead of allowing complete freedom in switching on and off layers, it can be
considered to use just two or three fixed modes by default, like ‘voyage planning’ (all layers on), ‘Sailing
low detail’ and ‘Sailing high detail’. In this case the user will learn for each mode which layers are shown
and not.

There are different general factors and considerations that characterize and modifies chart displays as
well as its data quality. These are the following:

Display Considerations

The aim is to ensure that the ECDIS display is always clear and unambiguous. As an operational
navigation display, there must be no doubt what the features shown are and what they mean. The basic
principle of good display design is to keep the display simple and un-cluttered, and to use well-designed
symbols and colours.

Colour discrimination on the display perception effects and display calibration

Since colour is a prime means of distinguishing features, the maximum range of colours should be
available. However the colours selected must be such that they can be clearly discriminated by a
mariner with normal colour vision, and colour induction effects must be avoided (for example a small
green object on a saturated blue background will tend to appear yellow)