TRANSITIONING FROM PAPER CHART TO ELECTRONIC CHART DISPLAY AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS (ECDIS) NAVIGATION
1 The Sub-Committee on Safety of Navigation (NAV), at its fifty-fourth session (30 June to 4 July 2008), while developing draft carriage requirements for ECDIS, recognizing that proper training will be an important factor in the successful implementation of an ECDIS carriage requirement; and, notwithstanding the expectation that the current review of the STCW Convention and STCW Code, due for completion in 2010, will fully take into account the human element and training requirements necessary for a smooth transition from the use of paper charts to ECDIS, agreed that Administrations, seafarers, shipowners and operators, maritime training organizations and ECDIS equipment manufacturers would all benefit from corresponding guidance transitioning from paper chart to ECDIS navigation, whenever ships are first equipped with ECDIS, regardless of whether or not it is part of a mandatory carriage requirement.
2 The NAV Sub-Committee therefore developed Guidance on transitioning from paper chart to Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) navigation, as set out in the annex.
3 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its eighty-fifth session (26 November to 5 December 2008), concurred with the Sub-Committee's views, approved the Guidance on transitioning from paper chart to Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) navigation, as set out in the annex and encouraged their use by the relevant authorities.
4 Contracting Governments and international organizations are invited to bring the annexed guidance to the attention of all concerned.