What is IEC 61174 and why is it important for maritime navigation?
What is IEC 61174 and why is it important for maritime navigation?
IEC 61174 is an international standard that specifies the performance requirements, methods of testing and required test results of electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) for maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment and systems. ECDIS is a computer-based system that displays electronic navigational charts (ENCs) and integrates information from various sources, such as GPS, radar, AIS, depth sounder, etc. ECDIS is designed to enhance the safety and efficiency of navigation at sea.
iec 61174 pdf
The first edition of IEC 61174 was published in 1998 and was based on the performance standards adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in resolution MSC.64 (67). Since then, several revisions have been made to reflect the technological developments and operational needs of ECDIS users. The latest edition, IEC 61174:2015, was published in August 2015 and is based on the performance standards adopted by the IMO in resolution MSC.232 (82). This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition[^2^]:
updated references are provided to IHO publications and test methods are updated to IHO test data sets;
requirements have been added for display of radar and AIS information;
new interface requirements have been added for BNWAS, VDR, BAM, MSI, INS and route transfer;
a requirement for an anchor watch has been added;
additional test methods are specified for operation of ECDIS beyond the normal range between 85 degrees South latitude and 85 degrees North latitude.
In addition to IEC 61174:2015, a new publicly available specification (PAS) has been developed to improve interoperability between equipment implementing route plan exchange format (RTZ). RTZ is a standardized format for exchanging route plans between different ECDIS systems or other applications. The PAS, IEC PAS 61174-1:2021[^1^], specifies requirements, methods of testing and required test results for RTZ. It provides a revised version 1.2 of the RTZ schema but retains the original version 1.0 of the schema unchanged. The intention is that compliance with this PAS can be achieved without compromising compliance with IEC 61174:2015.
IEC 61174 and IEC PAS 61174-1 are important standards for ensuring that ECDIS systems meet the minimum operational and performance requirements set by the IMO and are compatible with other systems and applications. They also provide guidance for manufacturers, testing laboratories, certification bodies and users of ECDIS systems.
How to obtain and use IEC 61174 and IEC PAS 61174-1?
IEC 61174 and IEC PAS 61174-1 are available for purchase from the IEC website or from the IEC member National Committees. The standards are provided in PDF format and can be downloaded after payment. The prices of the standards are as follows:
StandardLanguagePagesPrice
IEC 61174:2015English225$466.41
IEC 61174:2015English and French472$466.41
IEC PAS 61174-1:2021English52$333.98
The standards are intended for use by manufacturers, testing laboratories, certification bodies and users of ECDIS systems. Manufacturers should ensure that their ECDIS systems comply with the requirements and test methods specified in the standards. Testing laboratories should use the standards as the basis for conducting tests and issuing test reports. Certification bodies should use the standards as the criteria for granting certificates of conformity or type approval. Users should use the standards as the reference for selecting, installing, operating and maintaining ECDIS systems.
The standards also provide informative annexes that contain additional guidance and examples for implementing and using ECDIS systems. For example, Annex A of IEC 61174:2015 provides a checklist for ECDIS installation and commissioning, Annex B provides a checklist for ECDIS operation and maintenance, Annex C provides a list of recommended ENC symbols and abbreviations, Annex D provides a list of recommended radar symbols and abbreviations, Annex E provides a list of recommended AIS symbols and abbreviations, Annex F provides a list of recommended colours and contrast settings, Annex G provides a list of recommended alarms and indications, Annex H provides a list of recommended backup arrangements, Annex I provides a list of recommended training requirements, Annex J provides a list of recommended documentation requirements, Annex K provides a list of recommended software update procedures, Annex L provides a list of recommended data protection measures, Annex M provides a list of recommended performance monitoring measures, Annex N provides a list of recommended contingency measures, Annex O provides a list of recommended user feedback mechanisms, Annex P provides an example of an ECDIS test report template, Annex Q provides an example of an ECDIS certificate template, Annex R provides an example of an ECDIS user manual template and Annex S provides the original RTZ specification (version 1.0). Similarly, Annex A of IEC PAS 61174-1:2021 provides an example of an RTZ test report template and Annex B provides the revised RTZ specification (version 1.2). e0e6b7cb5c
