Adopting the audible alert system for the electronic chart display and information system for improvement of early navigational situation awareness

ABSTRACT The Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) with adequate back-up arrangements has become one of the most useful navigational equipment since ECDIS was accepted as complying with the paper charts required by the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 1974, as amended. When a ship is approaching a dangerous situation, ECDIS serves as an appropriate alarm to warn the watch officer to prevent marine accidents on the ship’s bridge. However, it has been reported that watch officers who believe that frequent mechanical alarms are causing fatigue and interfering with the watchkeeping are ignoring or turning off the alarm. Alarms are used in a situation requiring attention. In this context, the study examined the advantages and disadvantages of the abstract sound, the auditory icon, and the voice output as an audible alert to watch officers who are in a complicated situation to focus on. In addition, watch officers’ response time was measured according to the alarm types. As result, a new type of alarm set that combines the abstract sound that gains more attention and the speech output that directly expresses information concerned is proposed for the improved ECDIS audible alert recognition by navigation officers. Additionally, amendments to the relevant ECDIS performance standards were also proposed.