By George Ward – ECDIS Ltd Project Support
You have been either hacked… or just didn’t know you have been hacked!
I predict that the first catastrophic maritime cyber incident will not be the result of a direct attack on a safety critical specific piece of equipment. It will be the result of an infection on a random PC, perhaps an unassuming email to a crew member, whose PC is either connected to the vessels internal ‘super highway’ or he transmits the infection internally whilst it lies dormant. Crypto locker, or Ransomware software (used by thousands of hackers) are easily available to download on the dark web, neither of which may necessarily attack the equipment they infect, they can lie dormant and infect connected equipment when nobody expects. You have been warned! Watch the video link at the end of this article to see an attack on maritime equipment in real time.
Cyber-attack is the current buzzword. It is known by some as an industry killer and even as the potential cause of the next world war, but thought by others to be a myth. So where does the maritime industry stand in all of this?
In the main, but certainly not universally, the maritime industry has a dismal record in its slow and painful transition from paper and analogue methods of shipping to new innovative technologies when compared to industry rivals like aviation. But why is this and how could it affect cyber security in the maritime arena? Or have some seafarers not even evolved enough to be talking about it yet, let alone implementing new cyber procedures on board ship. We have all met `that Captain` who is nervous about `the machines on his ship`.
Whilst the maritime Industry doesn’t seem to have been strategically targeted in terms of the vessels themselves, there is now plenty of talk of `accidental` or naive seafarers accepting a generic phishing email that goes on to attack their computers.
Major corporations like Google and Yahoo have release statements stating they were deliberately hacked. The question is what will be first for the maritime industry, the deliberate or strategic hacking of an individual ship, or the shipping corporation as a whole. There has been a call for cyber specialists to come and give answers to the potentially very real dangers facing the industry that could not only damage reputations, but cause disruption to trade worth billions of pounds to the industry. Not all is lost though, as long as we can move the industry forward to cope with the digital world we live in today.
Cyber Security was a hot topic in 2016 – however now we are in 2017, and the seafaring community are becoming more aware of what can potentially happen. There is a real threat for cyber activists to start gaining and changing sensitive shipping data from our onboard equipment. Such as changing the vessels route to cause a grounding, gaining access to digitally controlled engine rooms and causing alarm mute whilst an engine fails or even catches fire due to a ‘manual’ overload by the hacker.
With more and more companies looking for insight into how to stop attacks from occurring, the main area of concern is the lack of security awareness by both companies and employees as they have been taken aback by the swift rise in the industry’s threat level from cyber security; almost non-existent just a few years ago to today’s high alert. It is expected that shipping companies and independent vessels could be next on the list for major cybercrime activity as it is as yet mainly unexplored territory for hackers who are only now starting to realise its huge potential as a target. Attacks now have the capability to obtain sensitive ECDIS, AIS and GPS data, to name but a few, so it is vital that the correct procedures and processes are in place to stop the worst from happening.
The scary part; 51% of US adults suffered some kind of data security incident between December 2015 and December 2016.  In 2015 there were 781 reported major company data breaches in the US alone due to cyber-attacks which combined cost companies $400 billion.  These are only the reported data breaches. Sadly there is often an element of ‘sweeping under the carpet’ in all industries. This total will continue to rise if the maritime industry, where the proportion of those of digital native age is far lower, do not adapt to ever changing technology and the major security threats it brings with it. Overall, the predicted cost of cyber-attacks in 2019 is estimated at a colossal $2.1 trillion.
The issue, alongside a lack of awareness by employees and users of operating systems, is the development speed of technology. This digital age of super computers, 4D printing and nano technology is like no other and is proving to be self-accelerating, i.e. one technology is put into operation while the next generation, more powerful and innovative, is being produced, thereby creating an always expanding, developing and aggressive cycle.  But, due to the speed of production, this process can lead to an unstable, unsecure and untrusted platform, as it is not able to keep up with ever changing threats.  After years of this development, technology companies are starting to adapt to the issue by developing and applying software updates weekly which try to manage security flaws within the software, while changes to future developments can help manage the constantly increasing cyber-crime threat; until the next global threat takes place or takes over.
Some Maritime software manufacturers have used a physical security method of “locking out� their systems in order to intercept physical security threats altogether, however this ironically increasing the complication of applying security software updates! This restriction can complicate a shipping company’s decision to have an integrated bridge system due to issues with syncing and communication between different software manufacturers; also meaning only specialised engineers and trained software technicians are allowed to apply updates, causing additional issues. Restrictions like these could mean that your system is 80% more susceptible to cyber threats.
First off, the solution is simple; but it will cost you, which no one likes to do unless it’s necessary. Only some companies feel that cyber security is important enough to invest into it.  Nevertheless you will watch multiple companies become complacent and unconcerned about the real threat in the water, until it becomes a reality, and the organisation comes grinding to a halt. In reality, if you spend as much on coffee as you do on cyber security measures, you will be hacked. It is alleged that almost every company in the World has already been hacked, or if not, will be soon. The Director of the FBI, James Comey had the following to say on Chinese hackers: “There are two kinds of big companies in the United States. There are those who’ve been hacked by the Chinese and those who don’t know they’ve been hacked by the Chinese.â€�
This is the world as it is and therefore we need to change with it, not be ten steps behind. First, we know the industry is struggling from sector to sector, but cyber attacks will only make it worse, so the first move is ensuring everybody is educated in cyber security awareness. Preferably starting from the top and working down so the entire seafaring community can spot a cyber-attack and know what action to take in response. Experienced educational companies exist that offer in-depth, classroom based courses in the subject of cyber security. ECDIS Ltd also offers the first maritime based cyber security awareness course with the aim of bringing the industry up to speed. Elements of all their BTM, BRM and even ECDIS courses now include cyber prevention and awareness modules.
Countless companies are missing the correct procedures when it comes to security. A robust IT security policy is highly recommended, as this allows employees and users of all IT equipment to be clear as to how company data and information should be used on IT equipment.  It’s not just small companies either that struggle in this war against cyber activists.  Large corporations are also at major exposure risk, primarily due to not having a dedicated IT and security team. It is recommended that a company appoints a cyber security chief to implement and respond to all cyber security related issues or system flaws that may be found. This is so one person has ultimate responsibility for implementing and maintaining all cyber security measures within the company thus ensuring consistency of approach.
Cyber security attacks are incorrectly thought of as attacks that occur just over the internet due to the wrong security measures being taken; however lack of physical security can also be a major factor in the cause of industry changing attacks. During the twentieth century a majority of attacks occur due to people not taking the correct measures to keep our IT equipment safe, another reason why we need everyone to be aware of what’s coming.It really is as easy as someone to come into your reception and ask you to ‘print off a copy of their CV’ from a USB stick, which is actually infected with multiple viruses, this could ultimately allow someone else complete control of your businesses entire network and therefore most likely, thereby destroying it.
In Summary, Cyber security isn’t an issue we can ignore, it may not be heard of yet as giving direct threats towards our vessels but this will come in time when noticed by any cybercrime activists who either want to damage the industry or cause major damage to infrastructure or even human life. It can be averted. Many, if not all, shipping companies have some form of internal networked server that allows for all of their computers to communicate and send and save files between them, and therefore also connect to the internet, so with the improper procedures in place it could be easy for anyone keen to infect an ‘auxiliary’ piece of equipment that connects to the ‘primary’. Think of the random software updates that happen every day, for example to an engine room sensor test, or to the bridges digital anemometer that may appear non safety critical, but they are connected to safety critical systems.   We often concentrate and develop robust procedures purely for the few safety critical pieces of equipment, but the attack will take place on a tertiary system that is connected to it.
Watch the following YouTube clip to see a live attack on standard maritime equipment:
George Ward
ECDIS Ltd Project Support
For further information:
Mike Backhouse
ECDIS Ltd
Ground Floor
Atlantic 3600 Building Parkway
Solent Business Park
Whiteley
Fareham
PO15 7AN
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1489 559677
Email:Â [email protected]
Web: www.ecdis.org
The new web portal ecdisENC.com claims to be the lowest priced and easiest to use ENC chart distributor in the world.
It features a 60 second quote tool, once you download the free world chart catalogue. You can then simply add rough waypoints for a passage, or select an area, and then finally choose a license period between 3 and 12 months.
There is a short video on the website which explains the simple process, it is worth generating a no-obligation quote even if it just to compare with your current provider.
For more information and see the how-to video, visit www.ecdisENC.com.
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For further information:
Mike Backhouse
ECDIS Ltd
Ground Floor
Atlantic 3600 Building Parkway
Solent Business Park
Whiteley
Fareham
PO15 7AN
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1489 559677
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.ecdis.org
ECDIS Ltd have released a range of Type Specific ECDIS Reference cards, on-line produced Type Specific ECDIS SMS Procedures and an update to their ECDIS Check Off Cards Inspectors and investigators, including all top questions and key menu answers on all the leading systems.
Following on from the success of the ECDIS Check Off Cards; which have recently been updated to include 19 manufacturers; giving mariners key menu functions and features, ECDIS Ltd has now released Type Specific Reference Cards and on-line ECDIS SMS procedures for each individual ECDIS model
The unique aspect of the reference cards is the ability to customise various cards to ensure accuracy with each company policy. This customisation is completed via a simple online form. These customisations include confined, coastal and open settings for every single menu item as well as watermarking which ensures no misuse onboard.
In addition to the reference cards, a complete ECDIS SMS Procedures guide is also available for each model, giving companies a comprehensive set of instructions for their companies ECDIS usage.
For more information visit www.eMaritimeShop.com.
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For further information:
Mike Backhouse
ECDIS Ltd
Ground Floor
Atlantic 3600 Building Parkway
Solent Business Park
Whiteley
Fareham
PO15 7AN
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1489 559677
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.ecdis.org
The eMaritime Group have launched a free social network app eMaritime Exchange for Apple and Android.
Developed by seafarers for seafarers, the focus of the app is solely on improving the lives of mariners around the world. From breaking news to latest jobs posted daily and an interactive forum allowing  the community to ask questions relevant to them and gain free advice from their global colleagues.
The app was conceived through extensive research from both users and others within the industry and has highly interactive content by the use of push notifications for breaking news and new job postings.
“We wanted to design the app with a simple to user interface, making the whole experience entirely user-focused. We want people to quickly and simply engage with the content without the need to log in or do any of the things which puts so many off using other apps.
We will be constantly developing and improving the app and website and look forward to the introduction of many new features such as industry videos, games and the ability to link with your existing social network accounts.. watch this space!” Â
–Â Mike Backhouse, Head of Marketing and Design, eMaritime Group
For more information visit www.eMaritimeExchange.com.
For further information:
Mike Backhouse
ECDIS Ltd
Ground Floor
Atlantic 3600 Building Parkway
Solent Business Park
Whiteley
Fareham
PO15 7AN
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1489 559677
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.ecdis.org
ECDIS Ltd today announce a new price match policy on their entire training course portfolio.
ECDIS Ltd have always prided themselves on giving world-class training to over 250 of the world’s leading shipping companies, they are so confident in their pricing that they have decided to give a price match guarantee on all their courses. Provided the course is like-for-like and the training company is based UK, they will offer a 10% discount off the competing course price.
“We have made the decision to price match as we are always being told by students how much they enjoy coming here and how they wished they had attended previous courses here. Our new price matching policy ensures we will not be beaten on price and allow future students to experience our training courses” –Â Mark Broster, Managing Director , ECDIS Ltd
For more information visit www.eMaritimeGroup.com.
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For more information please contact Mike Backhouse | Head of Marketing |
For further information:
Mike Backhouse
ECDIS Ltd
Ground Floor
Atlantic 3600 Building Parkway
Solent Business Park
Whiteley
Fareham
PO15 7AN
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1489 559677
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.ecdis.org
ECDIS Ltd have further developed their successful, not for profit, Annual Competency Assurance Training (ACAT) courses by introducing an offline version.
[Whiteley, Hampshire January 2017] Listening to the requirements of many of their clients with little or no internet onboard, ECDIS Ltd have developed an efficient offline solution of all of ACAT courses, removing the need for constant internet connection.
The courses share the exact same content as their online counterparts, however the courses can be purchased and downloaded ashore or when internet is available, and run on any Windows PC for up to 365 days, making this a highly versatile solution for many shipping companies, who do not yet have internet access at sea for their seafarers to complete their training needs when away from home/college.
This is another package in which ECDIS Ltd are continuing to provide diverse training opportunities for the maritime industry, in order to support mariners blended learning requirements
George Ward from ECDIS Ltd, one of the key architects and developers of the ACAT courses, states:
“We have had incredible interest and uptake of our new ECDIS ACAT courses. But we are acutely conscious of the fact that many shipping companies globally are yet to implement reliable (or indeed any) internet onboard their vessels. As such we have invested heavily in rolling out a new format for ACAT running parallel with the existing online training solutions already available”
The courses are available as two different license options; a single license for individual crew costing £15 per year, and a “per hull” option at £150 per year, enabling companies to register an entire hull with unlimited crew.
Once the course has been completed by a student, they simply email a unique verification code to ECDIS Ltd HQ and are issued with a digital copy of their certificate, valid for 365 days.
“We are always looking for new cutting-edge ways of training the industry and adding additional levels of safety and quality assurance to a company’s crew competency. Our new Offline ACAT gives that by offering greater flexibility and accessibility for shipping companies” – Mark Broster, ECDIS Ltd Managing Director
For further details of all ACAT courses, please visit www.emaritimetraining.com
(NB: Cost £8 per seafarer based on an a typical 18 crew members per ship)
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For more information please contact Mike Backhouse | Head of Marketing | [email protected]
About ECDIS Ltd
ECDIS Ltd is a privately owned UK registered company. Originally offering just the IMO 1.27 Generic ECDIS course, it went on to become the largest global independent company in its field, now offering 35 STCW courses. In 2014 ECDIS Ltd was awarded runner-up in the UK National Business awards for International Growth.
As a training company with a wide portfolio of courses ranging from Deck to Security, ECDIS Ltd has a growing client base of 150 large commercial shipping companies, governments and military clients spanning every continent. Over the last five-year trading period, ECDIS Ltd has achieved a documented 96% perfection feedback on training courses and 98% for equipment. www.ecdis.org
For further information:
Mike Backhouse
ECDIS Ltd
Ground Floor
Atlantic 3600 Building Parkway
Solent Business Park
Whiteley
Fareham
PO15 7AN
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1489 559677
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.ecdis.org
On December 19th 2016 representatives from ECDIS Ltd, including George Ward a former apprentice at the company (and now permanent ECDIS Ltd employee) were invited by MP Caroline Dinenage to join her at the Houses of Parliament in London to thank them and other local companies for contributions to her “Get In Go Far” campaign.
[Whiteley, Hampshire January 2017] Since 2010 there have been over 11,000 apprenticeships in her constituency of Gosport, Hampshire. The national average is only 4,900, meaning that Gosport has the third highest number of apprenticeship starts in the country. But Caroline launched her Get In Go Far campaign in the summer because she felt more could be done to raise the profile of apprenticeships in our local area and highlight the wealth of opportunities on offer
“I am always excited to welcome people from the Gosport constituency up to Parliament and this evening is no exception. It is a delight to host these fantastic apprentices and their employers and congratulate them for the work they do.”
ECDIS Ltd has had great success with the apprenticeship scheme since the company’s formation. Looking to encourage young talent and freely share practical life-skills to young people in the area, Training & Production Manager Robyn Harrigan says:
“Apprentices have always been a core part of our business as they bring enthusiasm, energy and a fresh perspective to the company, which cannot be found anywhere else. We have always appreciated apprentices who are willing to learn and not afraid to have a go at the challenge that ECDIS Ltd has thrown at them. George [Ward] is a perfect example of someone who joined the team in one capacity and showed us quickly that he was capable and was eager to experience more the company had to offer, within months George had moved into a much wider and more challenging area of the company. In cases like this, it was a simple decision to offer George a permanent role”
Caroline sums up her view on apprentices:
“Apprenticeships offer such amazing opportunities to learn the specialist skills needed to forge a rewarding career in a specific sector.”
To learn more about the campaign, visit Caroline’s website, here: http://caroline4gosport.co.uk/get-in-go-far/all
For further information:
Mike Backhouse
ECDIS Ltd
Ground Floor
Atlantic 3600 Building Parkway
Solent Business Park
Whiteley
Fareham
PO15 7AN
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1489 559677
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.ecdis.org
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Another fleet has signed up to ECDIS Type Specific ACATS, joining a long list of global shipping companies already registered with the Annual Competency Assurance Training service.
[Whiteley, Hampshire November 2016] Consolidated Marine Management based in Greece have signed up all crew on their 23 hulls for both the Furuno FMD and JRC ACAT courses, this follows another recent enrolment by Condor Ferries who have also signed up their entire fleet to the Transas ACAT course
The ECDIS Type Specific ACAT courses have proven a success within the industry. The pricing model of £200 per hull, per year with unlimited crew is appealing to shipping companies with a high crew turnover or those who’s crew changes hulls frequently.
The general consensus is that shipping managers now have the need to be aware of the competencies of their officers, in particular when using the navigation systems, instead of solely relying on them just holding a certificate.
When asked what her initial thoughts were on the ECDIS Type Specific ACAT Courses; Sanita Zurzdina, Head of Personnel at LSC Shipmanagement said:
“The ECDIS ACAT courses have been very beneficial to our company, we have already found that our crew members are being reminded of functions on their ECDIS systems that they needed refreshing on. As the Head of Personnel at LSC Shipmanagement, from my perspective the courses have given us great insight into our crews competence and have given us peace of mind that they fully understand how to use such an important piece of equipment”
Coming soon will be a range of additional ACAT refresher courses including: HELM, BTM and the STCW 6.09 and 6.10, all of which will prove to be as an invaluable a tool as their ECDIS Type Specific counterparts.
For more information visit www.emaritimetraining.com
For further information:
Mike Backhouse
ECDIS Ltd
Ground Floor
Atlantic 3600 Building Parkway
Solent Business Park
Whiteley
Fareham
PO15 7AN
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1489 559677
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.ecdis.org
ECDIS Ltd’s international seminars on have proven such a success, they have now moved into a new series; starting with the one of the previous hosts, Dubai.
[Whiteley, Hampshire 14 November 2016] The seminar, held on 3rd November at the InterContinental Hotel Dubai, gave the attendees a great opportunity to interact directly with the speakers in a round table discussion style forum, gaining invaluable insight and knowledge to enhance company procedures.
The seminar titled “ECDIS Inspections: Marine Risk Reduction, Detentions & Best Practice” provides the delegates with practical, insightful knowledge of the best ways to prevent lengthy, costly port detentions; something which all global shipping companies want to avoid.
Feedback from the attendees was outstanding:
“An excellent seminar addressing various issues related to ECDIS usage and implementation. As informed by previous participants, [the] interaction with the instructor and sharing of knowledge was excellent. [They] addressed issues which were not covered in usual ECDIS training.”
The crew members who attended enjoyed a relaxed atmosphere which enabled a round table discussion, gleaming invaluable information and advice from Mark and Robyn. Dubai, yet again made the team feel very welcome, and provided the perfect learning environment.
The next stop for the team is Manila, Philippines on Thursday 17th November. For more information on the seminars, and for those interested in attending any future seminars visit www.ecdis.org/seminars or email [email protected].
For further information:
Mike Backhouse
ECDIS Ltd
Ground Floor
Atlantic 3600 Building Parkway
Solent Business Park
Whiteley
Fareham
PO15 7AN
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1489 559677
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.ecdis.org
Inspectors get tough on ECDIS
The Inspectors training in ECDIS has without doubt increased safety at sea as it highlights that not all is well……regardless of certificates held!
Few are aware that the World is half way through an international project to train around 1000 Inspectors and PSC Officers in ECDIS. Without doubt, it has already dramatically increased the safety of navigation at sea by providing Inspecting Officers with all the relevant questions that need to be asked for all the 38 manufacturers, regardless of what certificates the Officers hold.
The feedback so far is proving that in some cases Officers cannot practically show inspectors the basic navigation and safety features designed to reduce the risk of groundings. The Inspector training that they are receiving has to be good for the industry, albeit not for some shipping companies that felt comfortable in the past of their Officers competencies, purely because they held ‘certificates’.
Indeed recently Captain Robert Pearcey, Marine Consultancy DP Annual Audits CMID, OVID Inspections Surveys & Accident Incident Investigation, shares one of his ECDIS audit inspections;
As an OVID and CMID inspector I can confirm that many operators can show no knowledge of basic safety features in ECDIS systems, or how to recover past data from ECDIS sometimes this is useful.
“I have also noted that ECDIS is not used on Jack up rigs under tow, expensive paper route charts are produced with people who have little knowledge of Marine matters, other than follow the tug. On one occasion when acting for BP as Marine observer I stopped a tug going into shallow water with undersell clearance of 1m. It would seem that ECDIS should be compulsory on tugs towing deep drafted MODUs and Barges.
The really concerning issue I found on a US operated rig a US office with a Belize Certificate , was issues a Marshall Island Certificate on producing a certificate in which there are no exams, people are finding ways round certification and this is concerning as Masters and Operators seem to be turning a blind eye. In this case the officer was navigating in the Malacca St. on a 6th generation drill ship, it was apparent he did not have much of a clue about ECDIS.
It is only a matter of time before we have a bad incident”.
One of the catalysts for the requirement for an Inspectors course in ECDIS was from a recommendation after the high profile MV OVIT grounding in the English Channel, where the investigation noted in Section 2.8.1 of the MAIB report:
Although the SIRE inspection occurred only 10 days before the grounding, the two navigation-related observations reported indicate that the inspection went into some detail. Nevertheless, the inspection did not identify the crew’s lack of competence in using ECDIS, or the significant defect with its audible alarm. It is recognised that audits and inspections are a sampling process; it would be impossible to check every facet of a ship’s navigation within a reasonable timescale. However, as ECDIS is replacing paper charts as the primary means of navigation on many vessels, it is imperative that auditors and inspectors are able to identify problems in the way ECDIS are managed, maintained and used. The degree of understanding required of an auditor to check that ENC data in an ECDIS is up to date is clearly more complex than that required to check a written passage plan, and the correction status of paper charts and nautical publications. 48 Many auditors and inspectors do not have a background in navigation, and those that do might not have been trained in ECDIS. Consequently, few will have even a basic understanding of the system, leaving them ill-equipped to assess a core safety-critical function, that of safe navigation. Therefore, there is a strong case for the development and provision of tools that will enable auditors and inspectors to properly check the use and performance of this equipment
The following was part of the recommendations in the document after the MAIB investigation:
SECTION 5 – Recommendation
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) are recommended to:
142/2014 In conjunction with ECDIS experts develop and promulgate a set of focused questions for use by surveyors and auditors when conducting audits and inspections on ECDIS fitted ships.
(Above MAIB material provided from Report NO 24/2014 MAIB. Crown Copyright)
I was pleased to be part of the team engaged as the ECDIS experts to write and deliver courses all over the World over the last few years, and write the top 20 Navigation and Safety questions, used globally and now 50 reasonable ECDIS questions that all Officers should be expected to answer.
Over the years my colleagues and I have only trained several thousand seafarers in the 8 hour Type Specific (TS) courses, which is a fraction of a percent of the Global Seafarers currently conducting TS training. The recent White Paper on ECDIS TS (available for download on the eMG Hub app on Android or Apple), highlights the international confusion in both requirements and standards. What is also becoming clear, is regardless of how well trained you are, we are all subject to skill fade if not using the equipment for some time, and, the 38 manufacturers are always (quite rightly) updating their software to the changing performance standards.
Paul Hebden Master Mariner,
“My main reasons for retiring, was the enforced implementation of ECDIS on our ships as our Primary Means of Navigation (PMN), with minimal paper charts as back up….. It’s not a case of IF we will have a serious navigational incident, but WHEN…… and after 25 incident free years as Master….. It was time to go”.
There are many recent initiatives to try and bridge this gap, but a brand new service which is gripping interest in the Maritime Industry is ECDIS ACAT www.eMaritimeTraining.com which currently charges £200 per year, per hull, regardless of Officer numbers or changes, to keep all crew up-to-date on the top navigation elements of the 38 ECDIS manufacturers.”
Matt Riley, Compliance Officer, CSO and DPA,
“I can attest from my own experience of both working at sea and completing ECDIS training that services and products, such as this new service (ECDIS ACAT) are indeed in demand!”
George Ward, Project Support for ECDIS ACAT, states that:
“ECDIS ACAT is an effective assurance method of assisting the Maritime Industry as a whole to increase their underpinning knowledge in the Make and Model of their ECDIS fitted onboard and to keep up-to-date with the constantly evolving software from all the manufacturers worldwide. This product also allows the Ship Manager or Operator to have positive control over their Officers Annual Competency Assurance with regards to ECDIS, which in turn would reduce their training safety matrix for navigating with ECDIS.”
The feedback I have received is that there are thousands of seafarers with all of the required certificates, however disappointingly many have not been able to answer the basic navigation and safety questions now asked by Inspectors World-Wide. I must clarify at this point, these are basic navigation questions that Officers would have been able to answer on paper charts, such as “Show me on the chart the relevant chart notes, What is the reliability of the chart? How do you show Safe/Unsafe Water? and Can you show me how you can put a Manual Correction on the chart?”. None of the questions or recent observations raised by inspectors has been based on how to calculate a Horizontal sextant angle on the ECDIS!
Two years in and the feedback from he industry shows that prior to training, some inspectors found it very difficult to ensure the Bridge team actually understood the practical use of their ECDIS. After training, inspectors are generating multiple observations where ships Officers don’t understand the fundamental principles to keep their ship safe when using ECDIS.
The aim of training Inspectors in ECDIS around the world was to increase standards and reduce the risk of groundings. It is not to give to give Officers at sea a `hard time`, I know from experience the challenges of being an Officer at sea are hard enough without additional pressures. In summary, as an industry, all is not well, however all is not lost.
For further information:
Mike Backhouse
ECDIS Ltd
Ground Floor
Atlantic 3600 Building Parkway
Solent Business Park
Whiteley
Fareham
PO15 7AN
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1489 559677
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.ecdis.org