Mini-ECDIS Performance and Specification Standard for Electronic Navigation

"Now, Mini-ECDIS Systems can be used for Navigation 
providing adequate backup systems are in place." 

Background
The full-blown ECDIS Standards can be inappropriate for non-SOLAS vessels because of lack of space, power supply and cost considerations. The Sea Fish Industry Authority, in partnership with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO, is leading an initiative in developing a performance standard for a physically smaller ECDIS to be known as Mini-ECDIS. 

Purpose
Acting as Seafish project consultants, Dr Steve Taylor of Geomatix Ltd said "Because of the large size and cost of a standard ECDIS, the use of non-approved ECS systems has proliferated. However, such non-approved systems do not satisfy the UK regulatory requirements for navigation. Mini-ECDIS is smaller and cheaper than the full-size ECDIS and fills the gap."   

Approval
Equipment meeting this new standard can be used for navigation of fishing vessels and vessels under 24m (code boats). The Sea Fish Industry Authority are now in a position to approve applications from manufacturers of suitable equipment. The UKHO are also developing a special set of S57 fishing charts, in addition to the new S57 ENC's which now have almost 100% coverage. Click the IC-ENC website to view the current S57 ENC vector navigational chart coverage across Western Europe. 

Marine Guidance Note 319
In October 2006 the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) issued Marine Guidance Note 319 

"Acceptance of Electronic Chart Plotting Systems for Fishing Vessels  Under 24 metres 
and Small Vessels in Commercial Use (Code Boats) Up To 24 Metres Load Line Length."

In this guidance note, it is made clear that the backup for the Mini-ECDIS can even be another Mini-ECDIS installed on a portable waterproof computer. 

Click below to view the relevant documents (in Adobe Acrobat PDF Format)   

Self Certification
A process of self-certification is in place, enabling manufacturers to claim Mini-ECDIS compliance. Certifying manufacturers will issue a certificate with each compliant item of  equipment, and can also optionally use the Mini-ECDIS logo on equipment and packaging. 

See us on the Seafish-Kingfisher Stand at Fishing 2007 in Glasgow or contact us at Kingfisher Charts at Seafish for further details.

Workshop
During this initiative a one day consultative workshop was held so that manufacturers could indicate their preferences. 
Click to view  the delegates, agenda, summary and transcript of this meeting. 

Mini-ECDIS is a trademark of the Sea Fish Industry Authority.

This project is funded by the Sea Fish Industry Authority and the UK Invest to Save Budget (ISB)

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Last updated
5 January 2007

Project Consultants: Geomatix Ltd http://www.geomatix.net