REPUBLIC OF Marine Guideline

THE MARSHALL ISLANDS

No. 7-41-1
MARITIME ADMINISTRATOR
Rev. May/2024

TO: ALL SHIPOWNERS, OPERATORS, MASTERS AND OFFICERS OF

MERCHANT SHIPS, AND RECOGNIZED ORGANIZATIONS

SUBJECT: Safety of Navigation

References: (a) COLREG, Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing

Collisions at Sea, 1972
(b) SOLAS, International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea,
Consolidated Edition 2020
(c) STCW including 2010 Manila Amendments: STCW Convention and
STCW Code: International Convention on Standards of Training,
Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 2017 Edition
(d) IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1503/Rev.2, ECDIS – Guidance for Good
Practice, issued 28 November 2022
(e) RMI Requirements for Seafarer Certification, MI-118
(f) RMI Marine Notice 7-038-4, Principles of Watchkeeping
(g) RMI Marine Notice 7-041-6, Nautical Chart and Publication Carriage
and Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS)
Requirements

PURPOSE

This Marine Guideline (MG) from the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Maritime
Administrator (the “Administrator”) reminds watchkeepers of the operational factors affecting safe
navigation and the performance and accuracy of navigational equipment required by SOLAS. It
addresses Electronic Chart Display Information Systems (ECDIS), navigation chart corrections,
speed input to automatic radar plotting aids (ARPA)-equipped radars, and traffic separation lanes.

This version supersedes Rev. Apr/2023. Section 2.2 has been amended to reference the latest
version of the procedures for port State control, IMO Resolution A.1185(33), Procedures for port
State control, 2023.

APPLICABILITY

This Guideline applies to:

• All ships fitted with shipborne navigational systems and equipment, including ECDIS and
automatic radar plotting aid (ARPA)-equipped radar.

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Inquiries concerning the subject of this Marine Guideline should be directed to the Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator, 11495
Commerce Park Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1506 USA. The most current version of all Republic of the Marshall Islands Marine Guidelines may be
found at www.register-iri.com.
MI-03, Rev. Apr/2016
 • Those ships which under SOLAS V/27 must have adequate and up-to-date nautical charts
and nautical publications1 (such as sailing directions, lists of lights, notices to mariners, and
tide tables) for the intended voyage.

GUIDELINES

1.0 Information Services for Safety of Navigation

1.1 Nautical Chart Services

.1 Nautical chart services may be used to obtain, correct, or update nautical

charts. These services provide navigational products in digital or printed
format.

.2 To ensure safe and secure transmission and delivery, chart information from
a service should be standardized:

a. in format;

b. for data authentication; and

c. for distribution methods.

.3 Nautical charts may be obtained from National Hydrographic Authorities or

their authorized chart services.

1.2 Nautical Publications Services

.1 Nautical publications services may be used to obtain, correct, and use digital
or printed nautical publications.

.2 Nautical publications include nautical charts, and information on ports and

navigational aids, both ashore and at sea. They also contain contact
information of authorities and services for a sea area or port, such as sailing
directions, light lists, notices to mariners, tide tables and other nautical
publications.

.3 Updates and corrections to nautical publications may be received

electronically without any delays in delivery. Other distribution methods can
be time-consuming and may introduce risks.

1.3 Maritime Safety Information Services

Services (e.g., NAVTEX, SafetyNET services, or Notices to Mariners) used to

obtain information on navigational warnings and meteorological forecasts and
warnings should be applied for the voyage.

1. Refer to SOLAS V/2 for the definition of nautical chart or nautical publication.
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2.0 Navigational Chart Correction and Use

2.1 Watchkeepers should take notice of these items:

.1 As required by SOLAS V/27, electronic navigation charts (ENCs) used must

be adequate and up to date. The Administrator recommends that they conform
to the latest applicable International Hydrographic Organization (IHO)
standards in force.

.2 The IHO offers an online catalog of charts for the world's seas, oceans, and
navigable waters.

.3 The IHO provides coastal State information on the use of paper charts and on
ECDIS used in the Raster Chart Display Mode when ENCs are unavailable.

.4 Users of ECDIS planning and executing a voyage should consult the IHO
Information Papers on the safety implications of using ENC data beyond its
intended use. Topics covered include:

a. ENC generalization;

b. over-scaling; and

c. safety checking functions.

.5 Even charts based on recent surveys may not show all seabed obstructions or
the shallowest depths. For example:

a. Hydrographic surveys have inherent technical limitations in some

offshore areas, partly due to difficulties in accurately calculating tidal
ranges.

b. In some areas the seabed depth constantly changes.

c. Charted depths or soundings may not be accurate as they may be based

on surveys taken many years ago.

d. Always consider that wind conditions and other factors may cause
negative tidal surges, which are not reflected in the previously consulted
tide surge prediction tables and tidal stream atlases.

2.2 If a competent authority determines during an inspection that the charts or

publications are inadequate, or there is not an efficient correction procedure, the
Administrator may prevent the ship from proceeding to sea until appropriate action
is taken to correct the situation. Refer to IMO Resolution Α.1185(33).

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3.0 Navigational systems and equipment factors affecting performance and accuracy

3.1 Companies and Masters have a responsibility2 to ensure that all seafarers become
familiar with the shipboard equipment, operating procedures, and other
arrangements3 needed for the proper performance of their duties, before being
assigned to those tasks.

3.2 Administrator guidance on bridge equipment is provided in the following sub-

sections:

.1 ARPA Function

a. SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 19.2.8 requires that speed input of

ARPA-equipped ships must indicate speed and distance through the
water.

b. Inputs providing speed over the ground must not be used for collision
avoidance decisions, since doing so may lead to dangerous navigation
or erroneous collision avoidance situations.

.2 Gyrocompasses

a. Gyrocompass inputs must be checked. The selection of a different

Transmitting Heading Device4 (magnetic-type transmitting compass)
could affect accuracy of other connected equipment. Unlike a magnetic
compass, the gyrocompass is not influenced by an external magnetic
field.

b. Ships in Arctic and Antarctic waters must be fitted with two non-
magnetic means to determine and display their heading.

c. Ships proceeding to latitudes over 80 degrees must be fitted with at least

one Global Navigation Satellite System compass or equivalent, in
accordance with the Polar Code, Part I-A, §9.3.2.

.3 ECDIS

a. Officers in charge of a navigational watch serving onboard RMI-flagged

vessels equipped with an approved ECDIS must have received training.

b. Refer to MI-118 and MN 7-041-6, §3.1 and §3.2. The precautions in

this Marine Notice also apply when starting, setting up, and applying
data in an ECDIS. See also IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1503/Rev.2.

2. STCW Code, Part A, § A-I/14.

3. See MN 7-038-4.
4. See MSC.116(73), Annex § 4.3.2.
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4.0 Routing Measures and Watchkeepers Duties

4.1 Routing measures are intended to contribute to the safety of navigation and marine
environment protection. They include traffic separation schemes, separation zones,
deep water routes, areas to be avoided, and mandatory ship report systems.

4.2 COLREG Rule 15, Crossing Situation, applies equally to vessels navigating in,
near, and outside Traffic Separation Lanes and narrow channels and fairways.

4.3 Based on the Administrator’s analysis of investigations, Masters and officers in

charge of a navigational watch should:

.1 ensure the composition of the watch is made up of appropriately qualified and

rested watchkeepers and that it is at all times sufficient, effective, and efficient
given the prevailing circumstances and conditions;

.2 see that ongoing training is undertaken, verified, and tested regularly to ensure
compliance. Masters are advised to raise and maintain the standards of all
watchkeepers;

.3 ensure that the ship’s navigational plan is planned in adequate detail with
contingency plans where appropriate;

.4 ensure all crewmembers with responsibilities related to navigating the ship

understand their duty to maintain the safety of navigation and protection of
the marine environment;

.5 closely and continuously monitor the ship’s position ensuring as far as

possible that different means of determining position are used to check against
error in any one system;

.6 cross check individual decisions so that errors can be detected and corrected
as early as possible;

.7 ensure that optimum and systematic use is made of all information from all
available sources;

.8 ensure that the intentions of a Pilot are fully understood and acceptable to the
bridge watchkeeping team;

.9 know that vigilance of the officer in charge of a navigational watch is the

most direct means of avoiding dangerous situations from developing, this
includes:

a. using a proper lookout to fully appraise the situation and the risk of
collision;

b. calling the Master if in any doubt;

c. application of COLREGS;
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 d. understanding the ship’s limitations with respect to maneuverability;

e. executing the navigational plan with respect to available depth and

width of navigable water, specifically the effect of squat and continuous
management of under keel clearance; and

f. complying with all IMO routing measures and reporting systems.

.10 the Master and officer in charge of a navigational watch must take all possible
and necessary precautions to prevent damaging the marine environment.

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