MSC.1-Circ.1503-Rev.2？-？ECDIS？–？Guidance？for？Good？Practice

INTERNATIONALEMARITIMEORGANIZATION4 ALBERT EMBANKMENTLONDON SE1 7SRTelephone:+44(0)2077357611Fax:+44(0)2075873210MSC.1/Circ.1503/Rev.228 November 2022ECDIS-GUIDANCE FOR GOOD PRACTICE1The Maritime Safety Committee,at its ninety-fifth session (3 to 12 June 2015),approved the ECDIS-Guidance for Good Practice,drawing together relevant guidance fromseven previous ECDIS circulars into a single,consolidated document.ECDIS is a complex,safety-relevant,software-based system with multiple options fordisplay and integration.The ongoing safe and effective use of ECDIS involves manystakeholders including seafarers,equipment manufacturers,chart producers,hardware andsoftware maintenance providers,shipowners and operators,and training providers.It isimportant that all these stakeholders have a clear and common understanding of their rolesand responsibilities in relation to ECDIS.3In 2002,ECDIS was accepted as meeting the chart carriage requirements of SOLASregulation V/19.Over the years,IMO Member States,hydrographic offices,equipmentmanufacturers and other org anizations contributed to the development of guidance on a varietyof ECDIS-related matters and IMO issued a series of complementary circulars on ECDIS.While most useful IMO guidance on ECDIS was developed in this incrementalmanner,the information needed to be consolidated,where possible,to have ECDIS-relatedguidance within a single circular,which could be easily kept up to date without duplication orneed for continual cross-referencing.Such consolidation of information offers clear andunambiguous understanding of the carriage requirements and use of ECDIS.5The consolidated guidance termed "ECD/S-Guidance for Good Practice"is set outin the annex to this circular.Ship operators,masters and deck officers on ECDIS-fitted shipsare encouraged to use this Guidance to improve their understanding and facilitate safe andeffective use of ECDIS.6The Maritime Safety Committee,at its ninety-eighth session (7 to 16 June 2017),based on a recommendation made by the Sub-Committee on Human Element,Training andWatchkeeping,at its fourth session(30 January to 3 February 2017),and noting the need toclarify the requirement of ECDIS familiarization as specified in the STCW Convention,1978and the ISM Code,approved the revision 1 of the ECDIS-Guidance for Good Practice,whichwas disseminated as MSC.1/Circ.1503/Rev.1.I:CIRCMSC1MSC.1-Circ.1503-Rev.2.docxMEW TECHNOLOGIESGREENERSHIPPING