Leading manufacturer of maritime electronics and safety systems, Martek Marine, will launch its iECDIS in the coming months with unique built-in GSM mobile connectivity technology. iECDIS provides wireless updates ranging from simple daily Notices to Mariners to the full chart downloads required each month by law. This is the first ECDIS system which doesn’t rely on time-consuming and logistically challenging physical disc updates or expensive VSAT or broadband downloads.
Martek’s chart correction service takes Notices to Mariners and applies them to a chart overlay, which is automatically downloaded and updated. These then appear on the iECDIS within minutes, giving the navigator the most comprehensive and up-to-date information available at all times.
Port State Control (PSC) legislation requires that ships have the most up to date charts on board, as well as be able to show how they intend to have the next set of up to date charts. When full chart updates are issued each month, the iECDIS automatically downloads and installs these. iECDIS also time-stamps chart downloads and provides proof that the ship has been carrying the latest version, as well as showing the next date of download to show full PSC chart compliance.
Martek’s innovative GSM modem update service, filed under UK patent application GB1301714.0, will use 2G and 3G connectivity to provide a cost-effective alternative to expensive VSAT data transfer charges and time-consuming manual installation.
Martek’s ECDIS product specialist Bentley Strafford-Stephenson explains that an ECDIS system with a GSM connection is not only a great choice for shipowners upgrading their ECDIS system but is also a significant incentive for those still using paper charts to adopt ECDIS:
“Ships currently have to organise a monthly delivery of paper charts to coincide with port visits, while navigators have to mark Notices to Mariners on charts as they are received. The iECDIS eliminates these issues, freeing time for navigators to concentrate on safe sailing using clear, automatically updated charts.”
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