Application of electronic chart systems in the prevention of ship's groundings

It is noted that despite glowing recommendations from users, the market for electronic charts has not grown at the rate that many had expected. Some of the possible reasons for this are considered, and recommendations for corrective action are presented. One reason may be that shipping is a conservative and very cost-conscious industry; because ships have sailed without electronic charts in the past, it is difficult to convince owners that it is necessary to rush out and have one installed. The situation is compounded by the lack of international standards for electronic chart display (ECDIS) systems and, indeed, by the lack of international regulations requiring the use of ECDIS systems on board ship. However, it is generally recognized that electronic charts provide the only reasonable method of presenting precise position information to masters or pilots during critical maneuvering in restricted waters such as harbors and harbor approaches. As hardware becomes more sophisticated and capable, as experience is accumulated, and as precise positioning systems (e.g. GPS and RANAV) become widely available during the 1990s, it is expected that the market for electronic charts will grow tremendously.<>