Page 36: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (March 2000)

Read this page in Pdf, Flash or Html5 edition of March 2000 Maritime Reporter Magazine

Marine Electronics seconds to more than five minutes to download the file — depending on one's modem speed. When file reception is complete, a program on the mariner's computer unpacks the updates for immediate use, or copies charts from the

CD-ROM, applies the patches, and then stores the updated charts on the hard drive.

At first, mariners will update the charts and store them on their hard drive. Then, as software developers modify their navigation packages, dynamic updating should be available.

With dynamic updating, the charts and patches remain separate and the patch is "wiped over" the chart in real-time. This allows mariners to see that the patch is applied and to see what has changed, an important capability for mariners who transit a waterway frequently. Dynamic patching is also the preferred method under the international standards for

ECDIS where mariners are required not

Circle 257 on Reader Service Card

Powerful Solutions For Welding And Cutting Automation Mechanizing Your Welding And Cutting

Applications Can Save You Money! m . ?

H i • ^ _ rV

Bug-0 Systems has been showing manufactur- ers how to automate their welding applications for more than 50 years. We would be happy to discuss any applications you have in mind.

If you have any questions or applications you'd like to discuss, call 1-800-245-3186 ext. 55.

Bug-0 Systems 3001 West Carson Street Pittsburgh, PA USA15204-1899

Phone: 1-412-331-1776 Fax: 1-412-331-0383 http://www.bugo.com C €

Affordable Automation for Welding, Cutting and Semi-Automatic Processes to alter the original data files. Either patching method will let the mariner toggle between the old chart and the new chart, or to view the patch by itself.

Maptech provides the update service as part of its CRADA partnership responsibilities. It comes packaged in a new, professional-level product. On each CD-ROM, mariners receive about 55 raster charts, the Coast Pilot, Light

List, Tide Tables, Tidal Current Tables — where they exist — and update ser- vices for one year as a package deal.

Notice that the CD-ROM contains all of the items called for in the Coast Guard's charts and publications carriage regula- tions.

Official Status

With the availability of the weekly update service, NOAA is permitting its logo to be used on the commercial raster chart product. Accompanying text explains that the raster charts (and updates) were produced under the authority of NOAA, the national hydro- graphic office for the United States. This status makes them suitable for meeting the international standards for ECDIS

In addition, NOAA and the Coast

Guard have been working closely dur- ing the development of the ECDIS stan- dards. That three-step, standards-setting process (International Hydrographic

Organization standards for data, Interna- tional Maritime Organization standards for systems, and International Elec- trotechnical Commission standards for type-approval) is nearing completion.

Then, it is expected that the Coast Guard will amend the chart carriage regula- tions to permit the use of electronic charts and publications.

This U.S. raster chart update service is the first electronically delivered weekly service. Priced substantially below the cost of the few similar services available elsewhere in the world, it is a significant step in providing mariners a profession- al, modern navigation service in U.S. waters. Future plans may include the availability of single-chart updates rather than an entire CD's worth, and the inclusion of weekly updates to the Coast

Pilot, Light List, and tide and current tables, as NOAA is able to provide the data. High accuracy vector data (called electronic navigational charts, ENCs) will also become available, with weekly updating, for the most demanding navi- gation in restricted and congested water- ways. It is expected that these ENCs and updates will be added to the profes- sional navigation product.

The preceding was co-authored by

David B. Enabnit, Office of Coast

Survey, NOAA; and

Mark A. Jadkowski, Maptech, Inc.

Instructional Videotapes Complying with ISM Code / S.T.C.W. Requirements

Contact Walport USA: 399-5A Dover Road • South Toms River, N.J. 08757-5232

Phone: 732-818-9883 • Fax: 732-818-9884 • Email: [email protected]

Fleet Discounts Available

Lesson© From Real Life at Sea • A Shock lo the Hear t (treatment of cardiac arrest) • The Eyes Ilare 11 (treatment of contaminated eyes) • Don t Be a Fall Ga y (treatment of severe trauma) • All Elephant on the Chest (treatment of chest pain) • Cooking Up Trouble (treatment of burns) • One Hand for the Ship (treatment of amputation) • Use Your Head (treatment of head injury) • Be Prepared (treatmentofseizure) • Don 7 Get Choked Up (treatment of choking) • Green with Envy (treatment of sea sickness)

March, 2000 Circle 249 on Reader Service Card 38

Maritime Reporter

First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.