AMSA Marine Notice 7/2017 Guidance on ECDIS for ships calling at Australian ports
Overview
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) have recently publiched Marine Notice 7/2017 which supersedes 8/2016. This marine notice adresse the following issues:
- ECDIS Software quality assurance
- ECDIS Anomalies
- ECDIS data presentation and performance check dataset
- Chart carriage requirements
- Mode of ECDIS operation
- ECDIS training requirements
- Port state control inspections related to ECDIS - with focus on how ships meet the SOLAS requirements for chart carriage and the safe and effective conduct of navigation tasks
- ECDIS flow charts and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) and Availability of related information
The following issues will be targeted during AMSA port state control visits:
- ECDIS equipment is appropriately recorded in the Record of Equipment – Safety Equipment Certificate
- listing of ECDIS as critical equipment in the Safety Management System (SMS)
- documented procedures and instructions for the use of ECDIS are included in the SMS and that they are understood by all officers responsible for navigation
- ECDIS type approval certificate, confirming compliance with relevant IMO performance standard and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) test standard
- ECDIS software is maintained to the latest applicable IHO standards
- use of latest edition official ENCs, updated and corrected to the latest available updates and notices to mariners
- adequate independent back-up arrangements (as detailed on the Record of Equipment), ensuring the vessel can be safely navigated for the remainder of the voyage in the event of an ECDIS failure
- approved ECDIS generic training has been undertaken by the master and officers in charge of a navigational watch
- master and navigating officers are familiar with the operation of the ECDIS equipment fitted and can demonstrate operational competency
- conformance and alignment with input from sensors (e.g. position fixing system, gyro compass and speed and distance measuring device) and presentation of such information on the ECDIS display
- evidence of periodic tests and checks of the ECDIS carried out in accordance with the SMS and manufacturer’s requirements
- ECDIS planning and monitoring settings are appropriate to the ship’s dimensions and area of operations (e.g. cross track limit, safety depth and safety contour).
Please click here for the full text of the AMSA Marine Notice 7/2017 - Guidance on ECDIS for ships calling at Australian ports
VPS Bunker Alerts
Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) publish regular Bunker Alerts based entirely on fuel samples and have kindly permitted BIMCO’s Members to access this information.
The Bunker Alerts are not intended to be an evaluation of overall bunker quality in the port or area concerned, but usually highlight a specific parameter within the fuel which has raised a quality issue.
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