Electronic Navigational Charts for New Zealand Now Available

21 November 2008

LINZ has released the first set in a series of Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) for New Zealand waters. Eleven ENCs are available at present, covering the Cook Strait crossing.

All of the world’s sea routes are expected to be covered by ENCs by 2010, and in New Zealand’s case, all key areas will be catered for within 18 – 24 months.

ENCs are becoming mandatory on various classes of shipping internationally, beginning with high speed craft and in 2012 for international trading vessels carrying large numbers of passengers. While some vessels will keep backup systems based on paper charts, completely electronic navigation chart systems – with suitable backup – are appearing. The Royal New Zealand Navy’s next generation of vessels, for example, feature entirely paperless bridges with no room for plotting tables.

With the use of ENCs becoming mandatory, Maritime New Zealand are responsible for ensuring vessels meet their legal nautical chart requirements.

“Overall, ENCs are quicker, easier and safer charts to use,” says LINZ’s Technical Leader Hydrography, Adam Greenland. “The New Zealand maritime community will benefit greatly from having a comprehensive and authoritative ENC selection available.”

ENCs are used on ships with Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS), which combine ENCs with other data, such as data from Global Positioning Systems, radar and the ship’s speed log. Users can then tailor their chart display, interrogate certain objects for more information and set safety and alarm depths.

Going digital

The move from paper and raster chart products to ENCs has been an enormous task, involving the capture and translation of a large amount of hydrographic metadata and core datasets into a new world-class hydrographic system.

During the last two years, the hydrographic team in LINZ’s Specialist Processing and Data Management group has implemented a core database system. As part of a rolling work programme, the team has processed digital vector data for the production of nautical charts, including traditional paper charts and new ENCs.

Testing the waters

Before releasing the new Cook Strait ENCs, LINZ tested their loading and performance in a live environment. On 18 August and 4 September 2008, some of LINZ’s hydrographic experts went aboard the Kaitaki Interislander ferry. The Kaitaki had just undergone a fit of a new ECDIS, required for using ENCs, and so provided the perfect testing environment.

Data Analyst (Hydrographic) Kristian Jones has been involved with the implementation and design of the new software that has enabled LINZ to produce ENCs.

“While on the ferry, I was able to set up our own electronic charting system and record the ship’s route via GPS,” says Kristian. “It was really exciting to see our new ENCs in action for the first time.

“Both trips were very successful, with the technical aspects operating well.”

More work ahead

Verena Borsos, another LINZ hydrographic data analyst, is overseeing the creation and maintenance of workflows that provide quality assurance in the production of ENCs.

“Our team has worked very hard to create our first ENCs,” says Verena. “The Kaitaki trips were just one initiative among many, taking LINZ’s hydrographic services to the next level.

“A recent agreement with Australia was another big step forward. It will mean that there is better regional cooperation, ensuring that quality ENCs for the South West Pacific are available to mariners internationally.”

LINZ’s hydrographic team, headed by Adam, will continue working hard to create the full national coverage of ENCs and keep them regularly updated.

“It is a huge job and, while we are glad to now be making ENCs available, there is still a lot of work to be done,” says Adam. “But we have a world-class team of people who are up to the task and excited to be part of what is an important development in New Zealand navigation.”

More information

Find out more about Electronic Navigational Charts, including which ENCs for New Zealand waters are currently available from chart retailers.

For enquiries about maritime regulation and safety, contact Maritime New Zealand.

To be notified when new ENCs become available, you can subscribe to the Notices to Mariners.