Portable Pilot Units (PPU) and ECDIS Seminar

November 9th, 2011 by JCB
Posted in Articles, Technical and Training | No Comments »

What Does The User Really Need.

Southampton Solent University Conference Centre.

Thursday 12^th May 2011

A PPU in use.        Photo: Navicom Dynamics

Over 100 delegates gathered to take part in this ‘landmark’ event.

The Solent Branch of the Nautical Institute, in conjunction with The Hydrographic Society UK (Southern Region), and the United Kingdom Maritime Pilots Association, played host to an International gathering of Maritime Pilots, Hydrographers, Marine consultants, Regulators, Harbour Masters, Manufacturers and Trainers, and many from other sectors of the Shipping, Port, and wider marine industries.

Portable Pilot Units (PPU’s) are now used in a number of ports to bring electronic charts and precise positioning together in a convenient and portable package for maritime pilots, more recently the addition of a broadband link has facilitated ‘real time information’ being available on the Pilot’s laptop to assist in onboard decision making. This flagship event allowed the exhibitors (manufacturers and trainers) to meet informally, for the first time on such a grand scale.

The Nautical Institute Solent Branch Chairman, Matt Winter FNI, welcomed the delegates, thanked them all for supporting the event, and explained the origins of the seminar.  He gave special mention to those who had travelled from overseas to participate; Alaska, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Norway, The Netherlands, and Western Australia were all represented.  He thanked the numerous sponsors for supporting the event and he hoped the seminar would make a positive contribution to safe piloting in ports worldwide.

Half of the delegates attending were Pilots. Three ‘Workshop events’ were provided by some of the exhibitors prior to the seminar.

The seminar was split into three ‘moderated’ sessions:

Portable Pilot Units – featured two presentations, the first by (Medway) Pilot Chris Griffiths, and the second by retired Dutch Pilot Maarten Betlem who is currently their R & D Advisor. Southampton Pilot Nigel Allen FNI moderated the subsequent discussion which included the following aspects

-Manoeuvering ever larger vessels in confined spaces was significantly aided by having available a ‘bird’s eye view’ of the vessel on a portable device with enhanced levels of accuracy

-Assisted by rapidly developing technology, the use of PPU’s satisfied the ‘by all available means’ requirements whereas the regulatory side significantly lagged these developments, which in turn created some perceived legal difficulties in their use aboard ships

-The question as to why it was deemed necessary to carry aboard one’s own navigation equipment was analised

-Training for PPU’s was seen as an essential element of investing in PPU’s.

-The desirability (or not) of minimum standards to avoid PPUs interfering with bridge equipment, .was discussed as was whether minimum IMO standards for PPUs are required.

-Another aspect concerned the possiblity of a PPU assisted collision/ grounding etc which was considered to  potentially  provide a lawyer’s field day!

 

ECDIS – this session featured two further presentations, the first delivered by Nigel Allen on behalf of Pilot John Clandillon-Baker FNI (PLA) who had unfortunately had to withdraw at a late stage due to medical reasons and the second by Freidhelm Moggert from the Seven Cs software company.

William Heaps (ABP’s Assistant Marine Advisor and Hydrographic Manager) moderated the subsequent discussion which included:

-Dangers of using ECDIS (untrained- poor set ups etc)

-The Legality of PPU’s.

-ENC’s versus ECDIS.

-BENCs (Bathymetric ENC’s using the latest available high density data)

-Master/ Pilot exchange

-Should pilots use hydrographic data from their own ports rather than UKHO approved data.

 

The Human Element and Training – comprised two presentations. The first was given by Harry Gale FNI (Technical Manager of the Nautical Institute), followed by Hamburg Pilot and Trainer, Sven Stemmler.

Professor Andy Norris FNI moderated this session which raised the following issues:

-The Legal/Training requirements for pilots for ECDIS.

-Is there a need for type specific training?

-How detailed does the generic training have to be? – developing an ECDIS mindset

-The need for all to embrace technology: ‘all available means’ etc

-Need for PPUs to use symbology familiar to bridge staff to enable cross referencing with ECDIS, etc

-The bridge team role of the pilot

The day proved to be a great success with all parties aware of the challenges facing the adoption of ECDIS and PPU’s.

The seminar was bought to a close by the Guest Speaker. Captain Robert McCabe FNI (Vice President of the Nautical Institute and Deputy Head of Marine Commissioners of Irish Lights)

Capt McCabe gave a brief History of the NI, shared his personal thoughts on the many positive benefits of NI membership and eloquently expressed his personal and very positive views on the day’s proceedings.  He then presented a number of prizes that had been generously donated by various sponsors including PPU software from Euronav and also Navicom Dynamics.

Matthew Winter

The Presentations are now  available for download from:

http://www.ths.org.uk/content.asp?management=true&page=44