Paradigm shift in marine transportation: Ramping up for electronic charts

Coupled to a positioning system such as DGPS, the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) provides the mariner with a tool that not only show the ship's position but the surrounding hydrography as well. Soundings, aids to navigation (such as buoys, beacons or sector lights), shoreline and depth contours can all be presented on a sharp full color display designed to show a strong resemblence to the paper chart. ECDIS integrates a chart information package with other aids to navigation such as the ship's gyro compass, global positioning system (GPS) and radar. It is designed to present to the mariner all of the information necessary to carry out the safe passage of the vessel through the charted area. It gives the mariner new capabilities to aid in ship navigation, maneuvering and voyage planning. A comparison of ECDIS and intelligent vehicle highway system (IVHS) is given from both the technological and management point of view.