How To Install ENC On ECDIS?

The installation of Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) on an Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) is a multi-step process involving chart procurement, licensing, and data transfer.

While menu layouts vary by manufacturer (e.g., Furuno, JRC, Raytheon Anschütz), the fundamental workflow remains consistent.

Overview of the ENC installation process

1. Identify ENC requirements: Determine the specific ENCs needed for your upcoming voyage using voyage planning software.
2. Order ENCs and receive permits: Request the necessary charts from an official ENC provider and receive the corresponding permit files.
3. Import ENC permits: Load the permit files onto the ECDIS to activate the chart licenses.
4. Install base ENC data: Install the full ENC chart data, often provided on DVDs or via download, to get the foundational chart information.
5. Apply weekly updates: Integrate weekly update files to correct chart data for the most current information.

Step 1: Identifying ENC requirements

Using a voyage planning tool, such as ChartCo, identify the ENCs required for your route.

1. Launch the voyage planning software and open the "Routes and Passages" section.
2. Enter your departure and destination ports to calculate the route.
3. Display the route on the map and check the ENC coverage for your vessel.
   • Tip: Start by selecting the largest scale (highest detail) ENCs first, such as "Berthing" and "Harbour" charts, then move to "Coastal" and "General" charts.
4. Identify the ENCs you do not have. These may be indicated by a specific color or label. For example, in ChartCo, available ENCs are shaded green, while required ENCs are shaded red.
5. Add the required ENCs to your order basket.

Step 2: Ordering ENCs and receiving permits

Once your basket is complete, submit the order to your official chart provider.

1. Create an order file from the basket within your planning software and export it to a chosen location, such as your desktop.
2. Send the order file to your ENC provider via email. You will receive an email back with an attached, compressed (.zip) file containing the new chart permits.
3. Extract the contents of the zip file onto a USB drive. The folders are often named MASTER and BACKUP, corresponding to the vessel's primary and secondary ECDIS units.

Step 3: Importing ENC permits into the ECDIS

With the permits on a USB drive, you can activate the charts on the ECDIS unit.

1. Insert the USB drive into the master ECDIS unit.
2. Navigate to the chart installation or chart portfolio menu. On a Furuno ECDIS, this is under the "Chart" tab, then "Licenses". For a Raytheon Anschütz ECDIS, it is within the "Charts" menu under "Licence".
3. Select the option to "Install License" or "Load Permits".
4. Browse to the location of the permit file on the USB drive, often labeled PERMIT.TXT, and select it.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the permit installation.
6. Repeat this process for the backup ECDIS using the files from the BACKUP folder.

Step 4: Installing base ENC data

Base ENCs provide the full chart data and are typically distributed on DVDs or can be downloaded separately.

1. Insert the latest Base DVD (or the appropriate CD) into the ECDIS drive.
2. In the ECDIS's chart menu, select the option to "Load Charts" or "Auto Load" and specify the DVD drive.
3. The ECDIS will automatically install the base chart cells for all newly permitted ENCs.

Step 5: Applying weekly updates

Weekly update files are essential for ensuring charts are current with the latest Notice to Mariners.

1. Collect updates: Use your voyage planning software (e.g., ChartCo) to download the latest weekly updates.
2. Export updates: Transfer the update files from the software to a USB drive. Ensure you copy the update folders for the appropriate ECDIS (MASTER and BACKUP) to separate drives or folders.
3. Apply to ECDIS:
   • Insert the USB drive with the update files into the master ECDIS.
   • Navigate to the chart update section, often found in the same menu as the initial chart installation.
   • Choose the option to "Import Updates" and select the files from the USB drive.
   • The ECDIS will process and apply all the new updates. Check the log file afterward for any errors.
4. Confirm updates: Return to the planning software and mark the corrections as "applied." This keeps the chart inventory accurate.
5. Repeat for backup ECDIS: Follow the same procedure for the backup unit using its dedicated update files.