ECDIS is the acronym for Electronic Chart Display and Information System. It is a computer-based navigation information system.
The ECDIS displays electronic nautical charts and can be connected to and integrated with other bridge instruments, such as radar, AIS, GPS, etc. ECDIS meets the IMO chart carriage requirements.
There are two kinds of electronic charts: vector charts and raster charts. Vector charts are the electronic nautical charts (ENC) issued by governments authorized by the International Hydrographic Organization. Raster charts are basically scans of paper charts.
This computer-based system uses charts issued by a national hydrographic office. ECDIS equipment may operate in two modes: ECDIS mode, when ECN data is used and RCDS mode when ENC data is not available.
Requirements established by the IMO must be taken into account, especially when ECDIS is to replace paper charts. Integration and compatibility with other equipment on the bridge must be considered.
