- January 28, 2015
- 2015 , Circulars
- Comments : 0
Unified Interpretation of the Appendix to the SOLAS Convention regarding the records of equipment
28 January 2015 / C15004
The Maritime Safety Committee, at its ninety-fourth session approved a unified interpretation of SOLAS regarding the records of equipment concerning nautical charts and ECDIS.
NOTICE TO
SHIP OWNERS / MANAGERS / OPERATORS
SHIP MANAGERS / OWNERS / OPERATORS
FLAG ADMINISTRATIONS
DBS STATIONS / SURVEYORS
The Maritime Safety Committee ninety-fourth session was held in London on 17 to 21 November 2014. The Sub-Committee of the MSC has issued a circular approving a unified interpretation on the Appendix of the SOLAS Convention regarding the records of equipment concerning nautical chart and ECDIS. More specifically, the circular includes a unified interpretation in completion of items 2.1 and 2.2 of part 3 of the Form E as well as items 2.1 and 2.2 of Part 5 of Forms P and C.
What SOLAS Regulation V/19.2.1.4 requires?
“All ships, irrespective of size, shall have … nautical charts and nautical publications to plan and display the ship‘s route for the intended voyage and to plot and monitor positions throughout the voyage. An electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) is also accepted as meeting the chart carriage requirements of this subparagraph. Ships to which paragraph 2.10 applies shall comply with the carriage requirements for ECDIS detailed therein;”
What SOLAS Regulation V/27?
“Nautical charts and nautical publications, such as sailing directions, lists of lights, notices to mariners, tide tables and all other nautical publications necessary for the intended voyage, shall be adequate and up to date.”
Record of Equipment for the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate (Form E) – Part 3 Details of navigational systems and equipment
Items 2.1 and 2.2 of Part 3 of the Form E required the following information to be completed:
| Item | Actual Provision |
| 2.1 Nautical charts / Electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS)2 | |
| 2.2 Back-up arrangements for ECDIS | |
| 2 Delete as appropriate |
Record of Equipment for the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate (Form P) and Record of Equipment for the Cargo Ship Safety Certificate (Form C) – Part 5 Details of navigational systems and equipment
Items 2.1 and 2.2 of Part 5 of the Forms P and C required the following information to be completed:
| Item | Actual Provision |
| 2.1 Nautical charts / Electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS)3 | |
| 2.2 Back-up arrangements for ECDIS | |
| 3 Delete as appropriate |
Interpretation
Items 2.1 and 2.2 of Part 3 of the Form E and items 2.1 and 2.2 of the Part 5 of Forms P and C shall be completed according to the following scenarios:
- Nautical Charts only
| Item | Actual Provision |
| 2.1 Nautical charts / Electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) | “Provided” |
| 2.2 Back-up arrangements for ECDIS | “-“ |
- Two ECDIS only (no nautical charts)
| Item | Actual Provision |
| 2.1 Nautical charts / Electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) | “Provided” |
| 2.2 Back-up arrangements for ECDIS | “ECDIS“ |
- ECDIS + Nautical Charts
| Item | Actual Provision |
| 2.1 Nautical charts / Electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) | “Both Provided” |
| 2.2 Back-up arrangements for ECDIS | “ECDIS“ or “Nautical Charts”* |
| *Enter as appropriate |
Or
| Item | Actual Provision |
| 2.1 Nautical charts / Electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) | “Provided” |
| 2.2 Back-up arrangements for ECDIS | “Nautical Charts” |
Act Now
The ship’s management is responsible to determine what form of charts is to be used on board as the primary means of navigation. Where paper charts are used as the primary means of navigation then they may also be regarded as the ECDIS back-up arrangements. It is important to note that paper charts or ECDIS provided as the “back-up arrangement” may be used alternatively with the primary ECDIS, and not be limited to use only when the primary ECDIS is inoperable.
Dromon Surveyors must take the above guidelines into account when completing items 2.1 and 2.2 of Part 3 of the Form E and items 2.1 and 2.2 of Part 5 of Forms P and C.
