Unified Interpretation of the Appendix to the SOLAS Convention regarding the records of equipment

The Maritime Safety
Committee, at its ninetyfourth
session approved
a unified interpretation of
SOLAS regarding the
records of equipment
concerning nautical
charts and ECDIS.
The Maritime Safety Committee ninety-fourth session was held in London on 17 to 21
November 2014. The Sub-Committee of the MSC has issued a circular approving a unified
interpretation on the Appendix of the SOLAS Convention regarding the records of equipment
concerning nautical chart and ECDIS. More specifically, the circular includes a unified
interpretation in completion of items 2.1 and 2.2 of part 3 of the Form E as well as items 2.1 and
2.2 of Part 5 of Forms P and C.
What SOLAS Regulation V/19.2.1.4 requires?

“All ships, irrespective of size, shall have ... nautical charts and nautical publications to plan and
display the ship's route for the intended voyage and to plot and monitor positions throughout the
voyage. An electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) is also accepted as
meeting the chart carriage requirements of this subparagraph. Ships to which paragraph 2.10
applies shall comply with the carriage requirements for ECDIS detailed therein;”
What SOLAS Regulation V/27?
“Nautical charts and nautical publications, such as sailing directions, lists of lights, notices to
mariners, tide tables and all other nautical publications necessary for the intended voyage, shall
be adequate and up to date.”
Record of Equipment for the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate (Form E) – Part 3
Details of navigational systems and equipment
Items 2.1 and 2.2 of Part 3 of the Form E required the following information to be completed:
Item Actual Provision
2.1 Nautical charts / Electronic chart display and information system
(ECDIS)2
2.2 Back-up arrangements for ECDIS
2 Delete as appropriate
Record of Equipment for the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate (Form P) and Record of
Equipment for the Cargo Ship Safety Certificate (Form C) – Part 5 Details of navigational
systems and equipment
Items 2.1 and 2.2 of Part 5 of the Forms P and C required the following information to be
completed:
Item Actual Provision
2.1 Nautical charts / Electronic chart display and information system
(ECDIS)3
2.2 Back-up arrangements for ECDIS
Interpretation
Items 2.1 and 2.2 of Part 3 of the Form E and items 2.1 and 2.2 of the Part 5 of Forms P and C
shall be completed according to the following scenarios:
1. Nautical Charts only
Item Actual Provision
2.1 Nautical charts / Electronic chart display and information system
(ECDIS) “Provided”
2.2 Back-up arrangements for ECDIS “-“
2. Two ECDIS only (no nautical charts)
Item Actual Provision
2.1 Nautical charts / Electronic chart display and information system
(ECDIS) “Provided”
2.2 Back-up arrangements for ECDIS “ECDIS“
3. ECDIS + Nautical Charts
Item Actual Provision
2.1 Nautical charts / Electronic chart display and information system
(ECDIS) “Both Provided”
2.2 Back-up arrangements for ECDIS “ECDIS“ or
“Nautical Charts”*
*Enter as appropriate
Or
Item Actual Provision
2.1 Nautical charts / Electronic chart display and information system
(ECDIS) “Provided”
2.2 Back-up arrangements for ECDIS “Nautical Charts”
Act Now
The ship’s management is responsible to determine what form of charts is to be used on board
as the primary means of navigation. Where paper charts are used as the primary means of
navigation then they may also be regarded as the ECDIS back-up arrangements. It is important
to note that paper charts or ECDIS provided as the “back-up arrangement” may be used
alternatively with the primary ECDIS, and not be limited to use only when the primary ECDIS is
inoperable.
Surveyors must take the above guidelines into account when completing items 2.1 and
2.2 of Part 3 of the Form E and items 2.1 and 2.2 of Part 5 of Forms P and C.