Silent mode of ECDIS: UK21/N007

Adopted EU recommendation NAV-023. UK approved recommendation UK21/N007 on the meaning of “silent mode” on ECDIS according to IEC 61174.

From:
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Published
19 July 2023
Category:
Navigation equipment
Year adopted:
2021
Reference number:
UK21/N007
Keyword:
NAV-023

Question

With reference to the ECDIS standard IEC 61174:2015, “silent mode” is mentioned in table E.2 in Annex E:

Function Terms Allowable acronyms and abbreviations
No buzzer will sound on this ECDIS Silent mode Silent
  1. What is the meaning of “silent mode” in IEC 61174:2015 Table E.2?
  2. Is it, according to the international instruments listed in UK/4.30, without switching ECDIS off, possible and allowed to prevent ECDIS from providing audible alerts to allow for, for example, chart maintenance or route planning?

Recommendation

“Silent mode” in Table E.2 is the user-interface term for activation of the “silence mode” feature in Figure Q.5 (see IEC 61174:2015 clauses 5.2.3 and Q.5). These provisions are superseded by the provisions for temporary silencing in MSC.302(87), IEC 62923-1 and MSC.1/Circ.1609 Table 1. When using the provisions in standards applicable to ECDIS it is possible to reduce the number of audible alerts provided by the ECDIS.

Note 1: It is not allowed to present alerts of priorities warning and/or alarm in state “active - unacknowledged” without an audible signal.

Note 2: Provisions in the ECDIS standard (IEC 61174) that can be explored to reduce the number of audible alerts include modifying thresholds

Note 3: Provisions in the INS standard (IEC 61924-2) that can be explored to reduce the number of audible alerts include:

  • selection of operational mode
  • the possibilities in the referred individual equipment standards

Note 4: Provisions in the BAM standard (IEC 62923-1) that can be explored to reduce the number of audible alerts include:

  • Revaluation of alerts for example in an INS on the basis of an operational mode of the INS such as “Berthed Mode” by using the responsibility transfer mechanism for alerts with priority warning or alarm.
  • (User) selection of alert priorities where permitted by the individual equipment standard

References

  • MSN 1874 as amended
  • The Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations 2016 as amended

Items affected

  • UK/4.30, Electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) with backup, and raster chart display system (RCDS)

More information

Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Bay 2/21
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG

Telephone: +44 (0) 203 817 2000

Email: MEQA@mcga.gov.uk

Website: www.gov.uk/mca

Updates to this page

Published 19 July 2023
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