Impact of Risk Assessment of ECDIS on Its Situational Awareness for Marine Officers

Ahmed Khalil Tawfik Barghash, Hesham Helal, Nafea Shaban

DOI NO. https://doi.org/10.59660/46737 Received 08/11/2022, Revised 12/01/2023, Acceptance 25/02/2023, Available online and Published 01/07/2023

ABSTRACT

For passage planning, Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) is a vital operational tool that is acknowledged as being compatible with current paper charts. As e-navigation becomes increasingly significant by combining existing and new technologies to increase navigation safety, commercial efficiency, and security, the creation of e-navigational tools has been launched. Automatic Identification System (AIS), Automatic Radar Plotting Aid (ARPA), and Navigational Telex (NAVTEX), as well as the Tide and Sailing Direction programs, are examples of these devices. Although ECDIS as an excellent navigational tool for maritime safety, it is still facing several challenges with different onboard scenarios, which threaten marine safety and prevent having the best decision in the presence of ECDIS onboard, whether primary or aid to navigation. This study aims to discuss the officers’ situational awareness for smart navigation by addressing ECDIS issues and reaching a sufficient level of ECDIS performance. In this research a mixed approach (Interview and Questionnaires) conducted to explore risk assessment factors that could enhance officer’s situational awareness by using ((NVivo)/ analysis of a moment structures (AMOs) / Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) programs. The survey used a Questioners as a data collection method, various data analysis techniques are employed to meet research objectives. This study aims to discover if ECDIS is connected to additional Navigational Aid devices through 3 Risk Assessment dimensions (collision avoidance, under keel clearance, weather and navigation warning) will be enhance officers’ situational awareness. Study concluded that devices such as (AIS, RADAR, ARPA and NAVTEX) in addition to TIDE program are important and will be very useful if they are linked with ECDIS and enhance officers’ situational awareness.