Compliance to ECDIS Standards -- OpenCPN

[hennry]

Dear All,

We are very interested with the Open Source concept of OpenCPN; and we have some questions below.

Does OpenCPN comply with all ECDIS Standards below? Is it approved to use OpenCPN as ECDIS Software on the vessels according to SOLAS Chapter V?

Based on our understanding, an ECDIS Software should comply with the following standards:

• IMO Resolution A.817(19) ECDIS Performance Standards
• MSC.64(67) Amendment to Resolution A.817 (19) Apex. 6 Back-up
• MSC.232(82) Adoption of ECDIS Performance Standards
• MSC.86(70) Apex. 7 RCDS Mode
• MSC 191 (79) Presentation of Navigation Related Information
• IHO S-57 ed.3.1.2 Transfer Standard for Digital Hydrographic Data
• IHO S-32 Appendix 1 Glossary of ECDIS Related Terms
• IHO S-52 Ed.4.3 ECDIS Presentation Library
• IHO S-61 RNC Product Specifications
• IHO S-63 Ed.1.1 Data Protection

Kindly, please advice.

Thank you.

[rooiedirk]

OCPN is NOT an ECDIS!
ECDIS is an combination of soft- and hardware.
OCPN does have a lot of the same functions as ECDIS, but not all.
apart of the lack of some functionality, a program should be approved before you are allowed to call it ECDIS. And as you guess, to get an approvement you should pay an amount of money to get the testing done.
Dirk

[JesperWe]

We do mostly try to follow ECDIS standards. Because they are good standards. But for a SOLAS coded vessel... forget about OpenCPN.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by hennry

Dear All,

We are very interested with the Open Source concept of OpenCPN; and we have some questions below.

Does OpenCPN comply with all ECDIS Standards below? Is it approved to use OpenCPN as ECDIS Software on the vessels according to SOLAS Chapter V?

Based on our understanding, an ECDIS Software should comply with the following standards:

• IMO Resolution A.817(19) ECDIS Performance Standards
• MSC.64(67) Amendment to Resolution A.817 (19) Apex. 6 Back-up
• MSC.232(82) Adoption of ECDIS Performance Standards
• MSC.86(70) Apex. 7 RCDS Mode
• MSC 191 (79) Presentation of Navigation Related Information
• IHO S-57 ed.3.1.2 Transfer Standard for Digital Hydrographic Data
• IHO S-32 Appendix 1 Glossary of ECDIS Related Terms
• IHO S-52 Ed.4.3 ECDIS Presentation Library
• IHO S-61 RNC Product Specifications
• IHO S-63 Ed.1.1 Data Protection

Kindly, please advice.

Thank you.

Hi Henry,

Why not ask these questions directly in a private email to OpenCPN creators?

Why exactly are you worried about the matters you ask? Are you going to use OpenCPN on a tanker?

And who are your "we".

Cheers,
barnakiel

[hennry]

Hi All,

Thank you for the feedbacks.

I am actually an Open Source Software enthusiast, while a friend of mine is working on shipping company.

Nowadays, the ECDIS equipment becomes mandatory to be used on the ships; so my friend would need to equip his ships which also means extra cost and vendor lock-in. Looking at this situation so we are trying to see whether any Open Source software available.

I also had asked these questions directly in a private email to OpenCPN creators, but there is still no reply; that's why I tried to ask on the forum.

Actually, this condition is similar to the Aviation Industry, please check at Albatross, The ATM open source community

Open Source software is known in the I.T. industry for its better quality, higher reliability, security, interoperability, lower entry cost, and its ability to end predatory vendor lock-in. The Albatross project will bring the same advantages to the aviation industry. “Vendor lock-in is becoming a significant problem for customers of surveillance technologies in the Aviation industry. The Open Source Albatross project now brings an open base for improved opportunities for customization, user optimization, and significant cost savings”.

I am thinking that OpenCPN may get inspiration from the above projects. Or there may be some parties are interested to support sponsored project which make OpenCPN to be in compliance with ECDIS Standards.

Thank you.

Cheers,
Hennry

[GrowleyMonster]

IHO S-63 Ed.1.1 Data Protection

That's gonna be the biggest problem. An open source app implementing data protection for proprietary charts.

Unfortunately, vendor lock-in is a fact of life in the maritime industry. It is the price of doing business. Want to get ahead of the game? Get a job in a regulatory body such as DOT or USCG or whatever that makes all these decisions. Then you have a second career all lined up with whatever vendor you supported. And of course you will be calling in favors from your ex colleagues in your old agency to perpetuate your new company's position through favorable regulations. Gee, I hope that doesn't sound cynical or anything. The fact is, no open source software or unprotected hardware will ever be accepted. Period. Not fair, not smart, not reasonable, but that's the way it is and always will be.