Important Disclaimer
RTZ Route Viewer is a route planning and file management tool only. It is NOT a type-approved ECDIS, is NOT certified under IMO MSC.232(82) or IEC 61174, and must NOT be used as the primary means of navigation. All navigation decisions must be made using certified, type-approved ECDIS hardware with official ENCs. Always comply with SOLAS requirements.
1 · Carriage & Implementation (SOLAS V/19)
›Mandatory cargo class: All cargo ships ≥ 3,000 GT on international voyages.
›Mandatory passenger class: All passenger ships ≥ 500 GT on international voyages.
›Roll-out deadline: Full retrospective compliance completed by 2018.
›Record of Equipment: Must be listed on Form E, P, or C as the primary means of navigation.
2 · Chart Legitimacy & Nautical Data (SOLAS V/27)
›Official ENCs only: Charts issued by government-authorized Hydrographic Offices or official regional centers (PRIMAR, IC-ENC).
›Continuous updates: Maintained weekly with official digital Notices to Mariners.
›IHO S-57 / S-101 Standards: Software must support vector data frameworks and next-generation S-100/S-101 hydrographic models.
›IHO S-52 Presentation: Screen presentation, symbology, colors, and line-weights must strictly adhere to IHO S-52 display library.
3 · Backup & Redundancy (SOLAS V/19.2.1.5)
›Independent backup: Vessel must maintain an independent, adequate backup arrangement for paperless operation.
›Separate power/sensors: Backup system must use isolated power supply and independent GPS feed.
›Approved backups: Second fully independent ECDIS unit or complete updated folio of paper charts.
4 · Hardware Type-Approval (IMO MSC.232(82), IEC 61174, IEC 60945)
›IMO MSC.232(82): Software certified against IMO Performance Standards (or MSC.530(106) for S-100 architectures).
›IEC 61174: Hardware must pass testing for operational limits, software rendering stability, and data interface safety.
›IEC 60945: Monitors and processors must pass marine environmental testing — temperature, vibration, moisture, EMI.
5 · Mandatory Alarms & Automation (IMO MSC.232(82))
›Safety contour violation: Immediate alarm when vessel track intercepts depth shallower than configured safety contour.
›Prohibited/special areas: Alarm prior to entering restricted zones, TSS, military exercise areas, or marine sanctuaries.
›Positioning failure: Immediate alarm if primary GPS/GNSS signal drops or degrades.
›Overscale warning: Active indicator when zoomed past the native ENC compilation scale.
›Larger scale ENC available: Mandatory indicator when more detailed chart exists for current position.
›Route planning validation: System error if planned route crosses dangerous shallows or restricted zones.
6 · Sensor Integration (SOLAS V/19)
›Positioning: Continuously interfaced with type-approved GPS/GLONASS/Galileo EPFS.
›Heading: Continuous heading data from vessel's gyrocompass.
›Speed log: Interfaced with speed and distance measuring device.
›AIS & Radar overlay: Must plot AIS target data and Radar/ARPA inputs for collision avoidance.
7 · Power Supply (SOLAS II-1)
›Dual-bus connection: Permanently wired to main bridge distribution and emergency switchboard.
›Mandatory UPS: Dedicated uninterruptible power supply with minimum 30 minutes battery power.
›Blackout protection: UPS must prevent system restart or data loss during power transfer to emergency generator.
8 · Voyage Logging & Anti-Tampering
›12-hour track history: Automatic recording of geometric track, timestamped coordinates, heading, and speed.
›4-hour interval snapshots: Automatic log of chart database version, presentation settings at minimum 4-hour intervals.
›Data lockout: Voyage records must be hard-coded to prevent manual erasure or historical modification.
9 · Crew Certification (SOLAS V/14, STCW, ISM)
›IMO Model Course 1.27: Every navigating officer must hold an STCW-compliant certificate for generic ECDIS theory.
›Type-specific training: Watchkeeping officers must hold certified manufacturer-specific training for the exact model installed.
›SMS integration: Safety Management System must document routine operational audits of ECDIS competency.
Reference standards: SOLAS Chapter V, SOLAS Chapter II-1, IMO Resolution MSC.232(82), IMO Resolution MSC.530(106), IHO S-52, IHO S-57, IHO S-101, IEC 61174, IEC 60945, STCW Convention, ISM Code.