Weintrit A. (2001).

Electronic chart display and

informaton system (ECDIS)-a marine application of
geographical information system (GIS). Gdynia
Academy. Navigational Department, Gdynia, 74-85.

ELECTRONIC CHART DISPLAY AND INFORMATION SYSTEM (ECDIS)

A MARINE APPLICATION OF GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS)
Adam WEINTRIT
Master Mariner, DSc, Nav. Eng., FRIN, MNI
Gdynia Maritime Academy
Navigational Department
Head of Electronic Navigational Charts and ECDIS Laboratory
Al. Zjednoczenia 3
81-345 Gdynia, Poland
e-mail: weintrit@wsm.gdynia.pl

ABSTRACT
This paper is about Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in marine, coastal and navigational
applications, about Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) state of the art in
nautical charting, international fully standardised integrated navigational tool, about a difficult to
define terms attached to software and hardware that are used for handling, displaying, analysing, and
modelling information about the locations of phenomena, navigational marks, cartographic and
hydrographic features on the oceans and seas needed for safe navigation of vessels and about first
trials of the three dimensional visualisation of computer maps of sea bottom..
INTRODUCTION
The traditional paper chart has been a fundamental tool for the navigation of ships for many
centuries. However, with the advent of satellite position fixing and powerful cheap computers, a
potent additional tool is now available to the mariner. The introduction of modern mapping tools such
as Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Digital Terrain Models (DTM), video plotters, raster
charts, numerical maps, electronic chart systems (ECS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) have
forced the hydrographic community to depart from the traditional paper chart to the development of
digital spatial data products to meet user needs. Navigational information systems ECDIS (Electronic
Chart Display and Information Systems) are destined to replace paper charts based navigation,
providing increased benefits for safety and efficiency. The development of ECDIS is at least as
significant to mariners and to ship safety as was the introduction of radio or radar to the bridges of
ships earlier last century and at least as revolutionary for navigation techniques as was the introduction
of Mercator charts four hundreds years ago [11],[13].
GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS)
Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are computer-based systems which are used to store and
manipulate geographical information. GIS is ideally suited to analyse the multiple and diverse datasets
which are quite diverse in content, in data collection methodology, in data format and structure or in
spatial type (point, line, area) [11].
The initial impetus for developing a marine speciality in GIS was the need to automate the
production of nautical charts and to more efficiently manage the prodigious amounts of data that are
now capable of being collected at sea.
The GIS can provide the data management tool for all the digital hydrographic survey data,
providing the functionality to store, retrieve and query information in the underlying database. The
database can contain such information as survey parameters and settings.
MARINE GIS IN EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION
Geographical Information Systems (GIS), as implemented in the offshore oil and gas industry,
play a fundamental role in the integration of different data types: geological, geophysical, engineering,

environmental, hydrographical and production data. Data can be brought together in one common
interface and thus provide support to the decision-making process all through the exploration and
production life cycle, from initial exploration and evaluation, through development and production to
final abandonment [10].
Offshore GIS provides the possibility of combining economic, commercial, geological and
technological information to identify focus areas and business opportunities. Regional GIS maps can
be displayed and overlaid with the latest information regarding reservoir thickness, well locations,
leads and prospects, hydrocarbon sources and migration routes. With a wide range of data available
and update mechanisms in place, the GIS plays a critical role in identifying potential hazards to any
offshore operations, from seismic surveys to platforms and subsea installations: pipelines and cables.
Geological maps of the seabed are essential for a wide variety of applied purposes. These include
environmental studies, quantification and qualification of seabed material for the extraction of sand
and grovel resources for beach nourishment and fill, infill sand and industrial sand and grovel, the
recovery of other mineral deposits, site investigations for the foundation of offshore structures, the
planning of pipeline and cable routes, dredging operations, and the composition and morphology of
the seabed in shipping lanes for maintenance, deepening and widening. Other variable information
include data on seabed dynamics and sediment stability and the detection and presence of gas-charged
sediments [9].
TO GIS OR NOT TO GIS IN NAVIGATION
Geographic information has been the basic information for navigation at land and at sea as well as
for military and administrative purposes since the early beginnings of our culture. Since these early
days maps and charts have been used both for displaying the information and as analogue databases,
containing the geo referenced data in a graphically fixed form [4].
The fundamental component of any GIS system is the data. Because ENCs are managed as a
database, they are considered to be a form of the GIS, and the data will be utilised in various
applications in all activities on the sea. For example, necessary information to help recover spilled oil
in the case of oil spill accidents can be prepared in such system and the information can be displayed
superimposed with the dispersion of spilled oil and the result of drift reduction [7].
GIS is in effect any computer-based system which display graphical information with some
intelligence, and it can be argued that a integrated navigation system is a GIS [11].
STATE-OF-THE-ART IN NAUTICAL CHARTING
Much is written about the power and potential of GIS for coastal zone monitoring and
management, as well as how GIS offers a powerful tool in the exploration and production. Many of
these contributions are significant examples deal with GIS at the regional or local level. ECDIS
demonstrates the introduction of a GIS-based capability at the global level. The relevance of
ECDIS thus is at least threefold [12]:
It is a significant contributor to safety of navigation and thus will prevent many of the
groundings, which have contributed to much of the worlds ocean pollution;
It is demonstration of the need for global co-operation at the government and government
agency level if such potential of GIS is to be realised fully to the benefit of the world;
It demonstrates the immense capability, which can be unleashed by the proper and appropriate
development of GIS-based systems.
WHAT IS ECDIS?
ECDIS is an advanced navigation information system for use in ships. It has been developed to
lighten considerably the navigation workload, freeing the mariner for other important navigationrelated tasks such as maintaining a safe lookout and for collision avoidance. It is a real-time decision
aid, which provides the navigator with accurate and reliable information about a ships position and its
intended movements in relation to charted navigational features [12].
A typical ECDIS installation is shown in Figure 1.

E C D IS C O M P O N E N T S

C o lo r

D is p la y

N a v S e n so rs
(G P S , L o r a n )

SENC

R adar / AR PA

G yro c o m p a s s

C o m p u te r

A u to m a tic Id e n tific a tio n

S y s te m (A IS )

D e p th s o u n d e r

ENC

W a te r le v e l
C u r r e n ts , T id e s ,
Ic e in fo

U p d a te s

Fig.1. The typical ECDIS configuration

ECDIS combines satellite position fixing, ships sensors and other data with a sophisticated
electronic database containing chart information. The electronic chart database is known as an
electronic navigational chart or ENC. An ENC is much more than a computer copy of a paper chart,
though it can look very similar when displayed on ECDIS equipment. ENCs are sophisticated and
strictly controlled vector navigational chart data bases containing high levels of textual, spatial and
graphical data representing not only the material already shown on a paper chart, but also additional
data and information drawn from other publications and from source survey data. ENCs are only
produced by or on the authority of government-authorised hydrographic offices or relevant
government-authorised organisations [12].
The best description or understanding of ECDIS is the following statement of Dr Lee Alexander:
A paper chart shows you where you were, or shouldnt be. ECDIS tells you where you are, and
can safely go.
The fact that chart information is held in a data base rather than as a fixed image means that it can
be analysed, manipulated and compared with other available information to provide a powerful
decision making tool on the bridge of a ship. ECDIS continually analyses the ENC database and
compares it with a ships position and its manoeuvring characteristics to give timely warning of
approaching dangers or notable events in the navigational plan.
ECDIS provides many other navigation and safety features including continuous voyage data
recording and playback. The ships radar signal can also be incorporated into an ECDIS and the radar
image or content data displayed on screen as an overlay. This helps provide a comprehensive and fully
integrated appreciation of the navigational situation and brings together the charted information with a
record of the current circumstances as seen by radar. The additional information such as weather, ice
reports, AIS signals, vessel position reporting and the application of observed tides can also be passed
to system in real-time through telemetry links.
DEFINITIONS
ECDIS is the international fully standardised form of system of electronic chart that can legally
replace a paper nautical chart. For the purpose of the standards for ECDIS the international
organisations, such as IMO, IHO and IEC, adopted the following definitions:

M aritim e
Ad m inistartio n

M aritim e
Ad m inistartio n

M aritim e
Ad m inistartio n

M aritim e
Ad m inistartio n

M aritim e
Ad m inistartio n

IM O
A.817/19

proposals

M aritim e
Ad m inistartio n

M aritim
e
Adm
in istarcja
m orska
Ad m inistartio
n

proposals

IH O
S -52, App.2
IEC
61174
Nation al
S ta nd ards
C o m m itte e

Nation al
S ta nd ards
C o m m itte e
Nation al
S ta nd ards
C o m m itte e

Nation al
S ta nd ards
C o m m itte e

CENELEC
E N 6 117 4

Nation al
S ta nd ards
C o m m itte e

Nation al
S ta nd ards
C o m m itte e

Nation al
S ta nd ards
C o m m itte e

Nation al
S ta nd ards
C o m m itte e

Fig.2. Definitions of ECDIS-related terms adopted by IMO, IHO, IEC, CENELEC and NSCs
Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) means a navigation information
system which with adequate back-up arrangements can be accepted as complying with the up-to-date
chart required by regulation V/20 of the 1974 SOLAS Convention, by displaying selected information
from a System Electronic Navigational Chart (SENC) with positional information from navigation
sensors to assist the mariner in route planning and route monitoring, and by displaying additional
navigation-related information.

E C D IS

S a tellite
ENC

U p da tes

SENC
Dis p lay ed
E le ctro n ic C h ar ts

IN M A R S A T
C E S /N C S

H F B road ca st
Trans m itter

E N C U pd ate

RENC
eg . P R IM AR

R e gio nal
ENCDB

R e gio nal
ENCDB

ENCD

ENCD

ENCD

N a tio nal
ECDB

N a tio nal
ECDB

N a tio nal
ECDB

Le gen d:
C D s or E q uivalen t M ean s

H yd ro g rap hic O ffices (H O s) - S o u rce P ro vid e rs

Fig.3. Updating system of the Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs)

TE LE C O M

Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) means the database, standardised as to content, structure
and format, issued for use with ECDIS on the authority of government authorised hydrographic office.
The ENC contains all the chart information necessary for safe navigation and may contain
supplementary information in addition to that contained in the paper chart (e.g. sailing directions)
which may be considered necessary for safe navigation.
System Electronic Navigational Chart (SENC) means a database resulting from the
transformation of the ENC by ECDIS for appropriate use, updates to the ENC by appropriate means,
and other data added by the mariner. It is this database that is actually accessed by ECDIS for the
display generation and other navigational functions, and is the equivalent to an up-to-date paper chart.
The SENC may also contain information from other sources.
Electronic Chart System (ECS) - the generic term for equipment which displays chart data
provided by hydrographic office, commercial manufacturer or user. It cannot function as an ECDIS
system since it does not meet the IMO standards for equipment which is a legal substitute for paper
charts. ECS is intended for use in conjunction with a current, updated paper chart.
Raster Chart Display System (RCDS) means a navigation information system displaying Raster
Navigational Charts (RNC) with positional information from navigation sensors to assist the mariner
in route planning and route monitoring and, if required, display additional navigation-related
information.
Raster Navigational Chart (RNC) means a facsimile of a paper chart originated, or distributed on
the authority of a government-authorised hydrographic office.
System Raster Navigational Chart (SRNC) means a database resulting from the transformation of
the RNC by the RCDS to include updates to the RNC by appropriate means.

ECS
ECDIS
IM O A .817/19
IH O S -52
IH O S -57
IE C 61174

D ata
Vector
charts EN C
S-57
e.g. Prim ar

RCDS
IM O A .817/19
A p p e n d ix 7

IH O S -61

Internatio nal
standards fo r
EC D IS / EN C

Internatio nal
standards fo r
RCDS / RNC

b ases

C o m m ercial
vector / raster
charts

R aster
charts R N C

e.g. C-M ap,

T ran sas,

e.g. AR CS

Fig.4. Classification scheme for electronic chart systems showing relations between ECS, ECDIS,
RCDS and their databases.
NAVIGATIONAL ELECTRONIC CHART SYSTEMS
AND THEIR CLASSIFICATION
This chapter of paper graphically presents actual status of Electronic Chart Systems (ECS),
Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS), Raster Chart Display Systems (RCDS),
Admiralty Raster Chart Services (ARCS), their relations and classification of existing on the market
data bases pretending to standardised name of vectored Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC) and
Raster Navigational Charts (RNC).

ECS

E C D IS -

EL E CT R O N IC C HA R T SYS T EM

C e rtificatio n

EL E CT R O N IC C HA R T D ISPL A Y A N D IN FO RM A T IO N SYS T EM

D a ta B as e

S tatu s

U p d ating S yste m
O fficial C ertific ate
issu ed by M aritim e
A d m in istrtio n

E C D IS

S ystem n o t
ac cep ted as leg al
eq u iv alen t of
p ap er ch arts

ECS

O fficial, reg u lar

u p d ad in g service

Electro n ic
N avig atio n al
C h arts
EN C
B a ck-u p
A rran g em en ts

Ad o p ted b y
M aritim e
Ad m in istratio n

ECS

N o reg u la r u pd ate s

In tern atio n al
S tan d ard s

IM O A .81 7/1 9
IH O S 5 2, S 57 ,
IE C 6 11 74

ECS

O the r d ata b ase

E lectron ic C h arts
S ystem

ECS

O the r

ECS

Fig.5. Classification scheme for electronic charts systems pretending to internationally standardised
name of Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS)
ECS
RCDS -

EL ECT R O N IC CH AR T SYST EM

C e rtific ation

Sta tus

U p d a tin g S ys te m

RA STER C HAR T DISPLA Y SYSTEM

D a ta Ba s e

O ffic ial, re g u la r
u p d a d in g s e rvic e

R a ster
N a viga tio nal
C ha rts

RNC

S y ste m ac ce pte d a s
leg al eq uiva le nt o f
p ap er charts
(inte rim s olutio n)

E
RC
CD
DIS
S

Sys te m n o t
a c ce p te d a s leg al
e q u iv ale n t o f
p a p e r c h a rts

ECS

B a ck -u p
A rra n g e m e n ts

Any

N o reg u lar u p d ate s

ECS

Inte rna tiona l

Standards

IM O A.8 1 7 /1 9
A p p e n d ix 7

O th e r d a ta b a s e

ECS

IH O S -6 1

Ele c tro n ic C ha rts

Sys te m

O the r

ECS

ECS

Fig.6. Classification scheme for electronic charts systems pretending to internationally standardised
name of Raster Chart Display Systems (RCDS)

D estination
system

D ata standard

D ata updating

Status

O fficial, regular
updates service

O fficial

E N C *)

E C D IS

IH O
S-57 edition 3.1

N o regular
updates

O ther data

D ata source
H ydrographic
O ffice

O ther system s

O ther data

D ata type
Vector

O ther

O ther data

N on-H O

O ther data

O ther

O ther data

D ata base

R aster

O ther

O ther data

H ydrographic
O ffice

O ther system s

O ther data

N o regular
updates

IH O Standards

O ther data

RCDS

E N C * ) - Electronic Navigational Charts

R N C ** ) - Raster Navigational Charts

O fficial, regular
updates service

O fficial

R N C ** )

Fig.7. Classification scheme for data bases pretending to standardised name of electronic navigational
chart (ENC) and raster navigational charts (RNC)

D a ta B a s e

E C D IS

R N C

E N C

R N C

E N C
E N C

R N C

E N C

R N C

E N C

Rys.8.ECDIS dual fuelling the use of official raster charts in ECDIS has been agreed by the IMO
as an interim solution pending comprehensive world coverage by ENCs

On the figures 4 - 8 the Author tries to clear up some of the confusion that currently exists about
the different types of electronic chart data and electronic chart systems. Author believes that using
consistent and correct terminology will go a long way toward facilitating the use of ENC data in
ECDIS [12].
Electronic Chart System (ECS) can not be the legal equivalent of the paper navigational chart
(since it does not meet all the IMO, IHO and IEC standards for ECDIS) is already in widespread use
around the world, and is characterised by being physically smaller, less sophisticated, and less
expensive than fully compliant ECDIS. ECS displays different types of chart data provided by
hydrographic office, commercial manufacturer or user.
INTEGRATED BRIDGE SYSTEM AND INTEGRATED NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM
It must be said that now ECDIS is not the most integrated system on the navigational bridge, it is
only element of the Integrated Navigational System (INS), sometimes called also Electronic Charting
and Integrated Navigation System (ECINS), which is part of fully integrated, more sophisticated
Integrated Bridge System (IBS), which combines ECDIS with GPS/GNSS, Radar/ARPA,
GMDSS/COMSAT, AIS and other ships inner systems (such as: engine, administration, deck, cargo,
etc.).

IB S
IB S - In tegrated B rid ge System

IN S
EC D IS

IN S - In tegrated N avigatio nal System

IB S = IN S + G M DS S /CO M S AT + IS S
IN S = EC D IS + G N S S + RAD AR /AR PA +

D ata bases

Fig.9. Classification scheme showing relations between IBS, INS and ECDIS.
WORLDWIDE SERVICE OF ELECTRONIC CHARTS
The ideal of providing a world-wide coverage and service of ENCs remains much in the mind of
most national hydrographic offices but its realisation has been much harder to achieve than originally
imagined. Meanwhile, government authorised raster charts and vector charts not authorised by HOs,
are available for much of the worlds oceans [8]. Present situation is very unsatisfactory for
navigators. While the government hydrographic community tries to get its world-wide ENC service
together, ships continue to cross the seas. With ENC service absent for many parts of the shipping
routes they look for the authorised but less versatile raster charts or the commercially produced, nonauthorised vector charts, which may or may not be in the standardised IHO format.
Although quite a large number of HOs are now capable of producing ENCs and providing
electronic updates, progress in providing complete coverage of all shipping routes, remains
disappointingly slow. The organisation proposed by the International Hydrographic Organisation
(IHO) to distribute the ENCs and to provide a global service, called the World-wide Electronic
Navigational Chart Data Base (WEND), has failed to materialise in the manner expected. Up to now
only one Regional ENC Co-ordinating Centre, has been formed, although, it must be said that this
RENC, called PRIMAR and based in Stavanger, Norway, covered European waters, is finally entering
into a productive mode, by providing an integrated database and updating service of high quality
ENCs [8].

LACK OF DATA - IS IT TRUE?

One of the most difficult impediments to greater use of GIS in marine applications, besides the
fundamental issues of representation, has been the comparative lack of data. The sensors that could
provide detailed, four-dimensional data about the dynamic marine environment generally do not exist
yet, although enormous improvements in sensing technology have occurred in the past decade. Such
data would inevitably require massive storage, and would still challenge the capacities of todays
computing systems, despite the improvements in price and performance that have occurred recently. In
the past, cartographers, hydrographers and others developed sophisticated methods of generalisation
and abstraction to deal with precisely this problem, at a time when technology was unable to handle
the volume of two-dimensional detail available about static, terrestrial features. Perhaps recent
developments in technology are opening up a new research arena that will focus on generalisation
methods for four-dimensional (dynamic, three-dimensional) data.
MULTIBEAM ECHOSOUNDER DATA
There are many ways of obtaining information about the seabed. Most of these use sound to
probe through the seawater, because sound travels better through water than other kinds of radiated
energy. A sonar system must present this information to a human user in a way that is effective in
helping to achieve the users task [3].
In the last decade the multibeam echo sounder has become a common surveying tool. It is widely
accepted by civil authorities, dredging and offshore surveying companies, amongst others. Multibeam
proved efficient as a replacement for the single beam echo sounder, and introduced new possibilities.
For example, high resolution and full bottom coverage now make multibeam suitable for pipeline
inspection and dredge monitoring. However, increasing capabilities often require new issues to be
solved. For multibeam, the outstanding question is how to deal efficiently with the huge volume of
data generated, especially for (near) real-time applications. In order to tackle this problem, blunder
elimination and data thinning algorithms have been developed, tested and applied. In practise data
reduction rates of over 90 per cent can be achieved depending on the defined quality of the final digital
terrain model (DTM). This allows fast near real-time generation of a DTM, whilst all original data can
also be stored.
3D DATA VISUALISATION
Humans take in most of the information about the world using their eyes, so the most natural
method of presenting seabed information is to make it visible. The process of taking measured
information and making it visible is called imaging or visualisation. Nowadays, imaging is almost
entirely carried out using computers. The information to be visualised is held within the computer, and
the visual output is presented on the computer screen, or printed onto paper [3].

ECS /
___ E C D IS

2D V isualisation

XX / XXI
C en tury

G IS

G IS
D TM

3D V isualisation

Fig.10. 2D and 3D visualisation of GIS / ECDIS / DTM data

3D displays, or oblique views, give the impression that the viewer is suspended above the seabed
and looking down on it. The simplest type of 3D display traces a mesh of lines across the area. These
lines are straight in the x-y plane, but when viewed obliquely, they wiggle up and down with depth.
Other display types add contour lines, colour-coded depths, or overlay other information [3].
The massive amounts of data produced by modern multibeam sonars present many challenges,
but also offer tremendous opportunities in terms of visualisation and analysis. The traditional 2D
approach to presentation and analysis of data is no longer adequate as it nearly always results in the
decimation of the data. This limits the variety of information that can be presented and analysed.
Special suite of interactive 3D visualisation and exploration tools was specifically designed to
facilitate the interpretation and analysis of very large, complex, multi-component spatial data sets. If
properly geo-referenced and treated, these complex data sets can be presented in a natural and intuitive
manner that allows the integration of multiple components each at their inherent level of resolution
and without compromising the quantitative nature of the data.
With the development of multibeam sonars and other high-resolution swatch mapping systems in
concert with advances in positioning systems and computer processing power, our ability to map the
seafloor has fundamentally changed. We now have the ability to obtain near complete coverage of
relatively large areas of the seabed with unprecedented detail, providing a new perspective that has the
potential to revolutionise our understanding of seafloor processes. The massive amounts of data
collected by these new systems present tremendous challenges; firstly establishing the quality of the
data acquired and then in terms of interaction, integration and interpretation [2].
THREE DIMENSIONAL DIGITAL NAVIGATIONAL CHARTS (3DNC)
FOR PORT ENTRANCES
The multibeam seafloor mapping technology makes it possible for the first time to map and to
reveal all hazards to navigation with high confidence. If taken into use for shallow water areas with
significant traffic density such as port entrances, ports, rivers and other inland waterways, it can mean
a significant increase in the safety for shipping. For ports, the multibeam technology can be helpful for
minimising the coast of dredging. It can also be used for efficient inspection of breakwaters, bridge
foundations and other manmade constructions and for locating debris on the bottom. For surveying of
canals and rivers, the increase in efficiency is very substantial, since the survey lines are now parallel
to the shoreline. For narrow traffic lanes, one survey line may be sufficient. Multibeam seabed
sediment classification has great potential for environmental studies, and to find suitable locations for
dumping dredged material. 3DNC is probably the next step in ENCs development.
CONCLUSION
The paper illustrates the broad usage of GIS in deep ocean, coastal and port environment. This
paper can inspire others to identify further potentials and challenges in marine and navigational GIS,
thereby stimulating continued research in this important application domain of geographic information
science.
The human visual system has an enormous capacity for receiving and interpreting data quickly
and efficiently and therefore must be an integral part of any effort to understand complex data. The
key is to be able to present the data in as intuitive a fashion as possible. The more intuitive the
presentation, the more rapidly data is interpreted, and the more new information can be extracted from
that data. These elements have been incorporated in the some interactive ECDIS software application.
The software was specifically designed to facilitate the interpretation and analysis of very large,
complex, multicomponent spatial data sets.
One of the form of marine applications of GIS presented in this paper is ECDIS, but this
composed system is also part of MIS - Management Information System and NIS - Navigational
Information System (INS and/or IBS). Classification scheme showing relations between GIS, MIS,
NIS and ECDIS is shown in Figure 11.
The past few years have seen dramatic advances in our ability to map the seafloor, but the new
techniques produce massive data sets that can challenge our ability to process and manage the data.
The great density of these data, however, offers the opportunity to take advantage of interactive 3D

visualisation techniques that can improve the efficiency and accuracy of processing, and provide an
unprecedented perspective of seafloor morphology and processes.
For all this reasons we expect that seabed mapping and inspection using multibeam systems will
become a natural part of the operation of ports as well as inland waterways in the future.

G IS - G eographical Inform ation S ystem

G IS

M IS

M IS

M IS - M anagem ent Inform ation S ystem

N IS - N avigational Inform ation S ystem

EC D IS
N IS
R a d a r/
AR P A

G PS /
G N SS

N IS

Fig.11. Classification scheme showing relations between GIS, MIS, NIS and ECDIS
It is envisaged that the close co-operation that exists in conducting deep water surveys, between
regional and foreign researchers (hydrographers) will have to be increased as in spite of all efforts
during last years, the deep oceanic waters still remain the least well known sea bottom morphology.
The situation might be improved with the incorporation of the available technology on the
surveying vessels belonging to the coastal states allowing them to conduct deep water bathymetric
surveys of their EEZ and continental platforms and adjacent areas. The future looks encouraging.
Contrary to some pessimistic views, ECDIS and its accompanying ENCs are moving forward
towards reality and some of the navigators took to thinking about international standards for 3D ENCs.

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