Approval Sought for WinChart ECDIS
On prominent display at Seawork 2005 was the WinChart flat-panel ECDIS system from Gosport based Chartwork , the UK subsidiary of Norwegian software specialists, Navtech.
Jointly organised by the UK Hydrographic Office and the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, the main attraction of proceedings is a Common Data Set with which surveys at less than 200m depth will be carried out using a variety of competing systems at the same location close to the conference venue (the Plymouth Moat House). This, say the organisers, will enable delegates to directly compare differing systems and techniques.
Claimed to be the easiest system of its type to use and particularly suitable for the retrofit market, it features extensive route planning functions supported by presentation of AIS targets on charts and connection to GPS, speed log, gyro, echosounder, wind meter and ARPA sensors. A logbook with playback mode, advance tidal information and anti-grounding alarm are among several software support functions. According to Chartwork Director Tim Lovegrove, BP Shipping is among the first customers. Meanwhile, Det Norske Veritas (DNV) type-approval for the system is being sought and is expected early next year.
