iiiIntroduction
The requirements for Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS)
certification are set out in Chapter II of the International Maritime Organization’s
(IMO) International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and
Watchkeeping for Seafarers,1978 (STCW Convention), as amended (Manila
Amendments) and corresponding sections of the STCW Code.
Candidates for the above certificates must complete approved education and
training and meet the standards of competence specified in the STCW Code.
The Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) in consultation with the Maritime and
Coastguard Agency (MCA) has developed the specifications in this document for
the approval of a stand-alone ECDIS training course. It is the responsibility of
those providing training to design appropriate programmes and to obtain MCA
approval for them.
Within such courses, evidence of candidates’ competence in the safe use of
ECDIS and its interface with bridge equipment must be obtained from approved
simulator training. The purpose of this document is to give guidance to those
designing and delivering ECDIS training as to how this can be achieved.
The MCA has agreed that the guidelines in Annex A will meet the standards in the
Convention where ECDIS simulators are used for demonstrating and assessing
competence in the function of navigation at a combined operational and
management level.
Annex B provides a copy of the IMO performance standards for the use of
simulators for training and assessment.