Routes

Planning, creating, editing, safety checking, importing and exporting routes, as well as track monitoring.

The following is provided:

• Voyage planning taking into account vessel dimensions and navigational hazards

• Automatic checking of routes against safety criteria

• Route collection management with import and export capabilities

• Track monitoring with monitoring of voyage plan execution

• Event points for alerting about important events during navigation

Route Elements

Menu path
→

The Routes section is the primary tool for planning, creating, and managing navigational routes in the NSR ECDIS NES-3000 system. The interface contains all necessary elements for working with routes at all stages of their lifecycle.

№	Element		Description
1	Waypoint (WP)	Course change point or route checkpoint
2	Wheel-Over Line (WOL)	Wheel-over line, parallel to the next course
3	Leg course	Direction of the route leg (T — true course indicator)
4	Cross-track distance (XTD)	Maximum permissible deviation from the route centerline on this leg
5	Annotated WP name	Waypoint name entered by the navigator
6	Default WP name	Automatically assigned name: WPn, where n is the sequential number
7	Route leg	Straight-line segment between two waypoints
8	Route leg centerline	Centerline of the route: leg or turn

Main interface elements

№	Element		Description
1	Route list		List of all created routes
2	Create		Proceed to planning a new route
3	Edit		Edit the selected route
4	Delete		Delete the selected route
5	Import		Import routes
6	Export		Export routes
7	Export to USB Flash		Export routes
8	Export via network-450		Export routes
9	Name		User-defined route name or default name: date-time of route creation
10	Version (Ver)		Route version. Updated after each save. Version is preserved during export/import.
11	Departure point (FROM)		Annotated name of the departure point If not specified during planning, the point coordinates are displayed
12	Arrival point (TO)		Annotated name of the arrival point If not specified during planning, the point coordinates are displayed
13	Distance		Calculated route length. Route length is calculated including turn arcs
14	ETD		Departure time (start of movement) — data from the schedule
15	ETA		Arrival time — data from the schedule
16	Hide route (disabled)		Hide the route on the map (inactive state)
17	Route exchange		Route exchange via IEC 61162-450 network
18	ENC by route		Generate a chart report of cells crossed by the route
19	Check route		Check navigational safety of the selected route
20	Activate		Activate the selected route — track monitoring
21	Route check statuses		Route safety check status Displayed only after performing a check. After export or import, the route status is reset to Not Checked
22	Print route list		Output to a printer or save as PDF to a removable medium

Tip

ECDIS allows displaying multiple routes on the map simultaneously. When a route is selected, the map automatically centers on the first waypoint of the selected route.

Route editing

To view detailed information about a route and make changes, switch to edit mode by pressing the Edit button . In edit mode, all route data is presented in a table with the ability to modify parameters.

№	Element		Description
1	Create WP		Add a new waypoint to the list The coordinates of the new WP will correspond to the map center coordinates
2	Delete WP		Delete the selected waypoint or group of waypoints Works with batch selection (9) If no waypoint is selected, the button is unavailable
3	Cross-track distance (XTD)		Editable fields for adjusting cross-track distance Can be modified individually or with batch selection Red color — XTD is less than the calculated value Orange color — XTD exceeds the minimum distance to hazards. XTD is calculated automatically, taking into account vessel dimensions, maximum drift angle, CATZOC, position fixing RMS, minimum distance to navigational hazards
4	Leg geometry		RL (Rhumb Line) or GC (Great Circle) Change by clicking the field of the selected WP Default: RL
5	Current direction		↑ — against current (default) ↓ — with current When planning a river route, ECDIS automatically determines the direction from ENC data Change by clicking the field of the selected WP
6	Positioning		Center the map on the selected waypoint
7	WP NAME		Enter waypoint name Used as departure/arrival points
8	Route name		Enter route name Default: “New route”
9	Select		Batch selection of waypoints The number of selected points is shown in parentheses
10	Indicators		Route leg navigational safety check status Click the indicator to view detailed information with a list of hazards
11	Check route		Check route for navigational safety Performed in accordance with the configured settings After checking, the indication is updated
12	TURNING radius		Turning radius When exceeding the value from vessel dimensions, it is highlighted in orange
13	Distance		Route length
14	Schedule		Proceed to route schedule calculation
15	Print route		Printing is performed to a connected printer or to a PDF file Saved to a removable medium
16	Event points		Adds event points to the route leg EP belongs to the selected leg, not the entire route
17	Settings		Open the **Route check settings** window
18	Save		Save all changes made to the route
19	Cancel		Return to the route list without saving changes
20	Calculate XTD		Calculate minimum cross-track distance. Recommended after ENC updates and corrections, water level changes, or forming a barge-tow composition.

Important

When a route is activated, ECDIS switches to track monitoring.

Note

All route changes are saved automatically. When changing critical parameters (waypoints, courses, speeds), it is recommended to re-run the route safety check.

Route statuses

Pictogram	Value	Description
	Not checked	route has been created but has not passed the safety check
	Checked	route has successfully passed the safety check
	With warnings	route has been checked, but potential hazards have been detected
	With dangers	route has been checked, but hazards have been detected

Route workflow

1. Create a route:

   • Press the Create button

   • Plot waypoints on the map

   • Enter route leg parameters

2. Perform safety check:

   • Select the route in the list

   • Press Check route

   • Analyze the check results

3. Activate the route:

   • Select the checked route

   • Press Activate

   • Proceed to track monitoring

Warning

Only one route can be activated at a time. When a new route is activated, the previous one is automatically deactivated.

Route Creation

Menu path
→ →

Important

Before creating a route, make sure to configure the Vessel Dimensions section. Vessel dimension parameters are used as defaults when creating a route: cross-track distance, turning radius, and average speed.

It is required to configure the route check criteria: RMS and CATZOC values are taken into account when checking the route for navigational safety. The minimum permissible XTD value is calculated automatically.

When compass data is unavailable, the drift angle is not considered in the maneuvering band calculation.

Route plotting

№	Action	Description	Image
1	Create route	Press Create route in the Routes window The Route planning window will open The window is identical to the Edit route window
2	Route name	Enter the name of the route in the corresponding field The default name is “New route”
3	Configure criteria	Configure navigational safety criteria and route check parameters Set safety parameters according to navigation conditions
4	Add waypoints	Add waypoints using any method: Tabular — press Create WP, enter WP coordinates in the LAT/LON fields. To enter coordinates, position the cursor in the input field, enter the value, and press Enter to confirm Graphical — left-click at the desired location on the map (coordinates can be refined later in the route table) Graphical with touch screen — tap at the desired location on the map (coordinates can be adjusted as described above) When creating waypoints, the route is displayed on the map, and the route table is filled synchronously. Route points are connected only sequentially, in the order of creation
5	Leg geometry	Leg geometry — selection of the geographic line type: RL (Rhumb Line) or GC (Great Circle) Change by clicking the field of the selected WP Default: RL
6	Direction of travel	Direction of travel on a river: ↑ — against current ↓ — with current Change direction by clicking the arrow in the table When plotting a river route, ECDIS automatically determines the current direction if it is encoded in the ENC
7	Waypoint names	Waypoint names It is recommended to assign names to the start, end, and important waypoints Start and end WP names will be used as departure/arrival points
8	Deviation parameters	XTD PORT, XTD STBD are set to the default value Turn Radius and Speed are filled with default values Values can be changed if necessary When permissible values are exceeded, fields are highlighted in color
9	Calculated parameters	Leg length and Leg bearing are calculated automatically when waypoint coordinates are changed These fields are non-editable
10	Save route	Save — apply changes and save the route All entered data is saved in the route database

Tip

When editing a route, batch selection and editing can be used. For details, see **Tables**.

XTD Calculation

1. After plotting the route, enter the speed of travel for each route leg

2. Press Calculate XTD

3. ECDIS will calculate the minimum cross-track distance (XTD) for each route leg. The calculation is performed based on the planned speed on the leg and the maximum CATZOC value under the route leg

Note

If XTD was entered manually, the values will not be preserved when recalculating the minimum cross-track distance (XTD). It is recommended to modify XTD values after calculating the minimum cross-track distance (XTD).

It is not recommended to reduce the XTD value below the calculated one.

Automatic turn check

When plotting a route, an automatic check is performed to verify that turns with the specified turning radius are feasible.

Indication of problem areas:

• Turn points that failed the route section check will be highlighted in red

• Sections where a turn with the specified turning radius is impossible are crossed out

• In such cases, it is recommended to change the position of the turn points

Note

For precise waypoint positioning, use graphical input followed by coordinate adjustment in the planning table.

Tip

When plotting WPs, note that ECDIS performs the navigational safety check not along the WPs but along the route centerline and within the XTD zone.

For long turns, the turning radius should be used. In this case, the WP may be located both outside the XTD and beyond the shoreline. Such a WP position is not an error.

Planning recommendations

Preparation stage:

1. Ensure vessel dimensions are up to date

2. Configure route check criteria for the navigation area

3. Verify availability of current ENCs along the planned route

Route creation:

1. Assign a meaningful name to the route

2. Plot waypoints taking navigational hazards into account

3. Use correct leg geometry (RL for legs shorter than 50 nautical miles, GC for legs longer than 50 nautical miles)

4. Check XTD and turn radii

Checking:

1. Perform a full navigational safety check of the route

2. Verify that all turns are feasible

3. If necessary, correct problem areas and re-run the safety check

Important

After completing the planning, be sure to perform a navigational safety check of the route. Only checked routes can be activated for track monitoring.

Event Points (EP by route)

Menu path
→ → Select Route → Select leg →

During navigation along a route, the navigator may need to be alerted about a specific event: transition from one VTS area to another, confirmation of port entry, etc. For this purpose, event points (alert points) are implemented in ECDIS.

Important

ECDIS generates a warning that after a time and/or distance set by the navigator, the vessel will approach the event point. The approach warning must contain the text entered by the navigator during creation.

Event point interface

Interface elements

№	Element	Description
1	Event Point	Position of the event point on the map Not necessarily located on the route centerline Can be placed anywhere on the map
2	Create event	Button to create a new event point Adds an EP at the current cursor position on the map
3	Delete event	Deletes the selected EP(s) Works with multiple selection Irreversible operation
4	Event description	Text description of the event Will be displayed in the notification area when one of the event criteria is met It is recommended to use brief but informative descriptions
5	Distance notification	Distance in nautical miles at which a notification will be generated Measured from the vessel’s current position to the EP
6	Time notification	Time to the point in minutes, upon reaching which a notification will be generated Time to the point is calculated based on the vessel’s current speed
7	EP positioning	Center the event point on the screen For quick navigation to the EP area
8	Select	Mode for selecting multiple event points For batch editing or deletion
9	Back	Return to the previous window Exit event point management mode

Creating an event point

Step-by-step procedure:

1. Precise coordinate input — the LAT, LON fields can be used for precise EP positioning

2. Enter EP text description — fill in the Description field with a brief description of the event

3. Enter warning generation criteria:

   • By distance — Notifications for (NM)

   • By time — Notifications for (min)

   • Warning generation occurs based on whichever criterion is met first

4. Save event points — press Back and then Save in the main route window

Note

Using this method, event points can be set for different sections of the route. All event points belonging to the route will be displayed on the map when the route is activated.

Working with event points

Management features:

• Affiliation indication: Event points do not have an indication of affiliation with a route leg

• Editing: To modify EP settings:

  • Open the route for editing

  • Left-click (tap) on the map at the position of the required point

• Moving: To move an event point:

  • Hold the left mouse button (hold finger)

  • Drag to a new position on the map

Alerts during navigation:

When navigating along a route with event points, warnings will be generated when approaching EPs with the specified parameters.

Tip

Use event points for important navigational events: VTS area change, entering a narrow channel, port approach, change of navigation mode. This enhances the situational awareness of the officer of the watch.

Deleting event points

To delete an event point:

Menu path
→ → Select Route → Select leg → →

Deletion procedure:

1. Select the event point in the list or on the map

2. Press Delete EP or use the Delete event button

3. Confirm deletion

4. Save changes via Back and Save

Warning

Deleting event points is irreversible. Make sure you are deleting the EP that is no longer needed. When a route is deleted, all associated event points will also be deleted.

Usage recommendations

Event point planning:

1. Place EPs at key points along the route

2. Use clear event descriptions

3. Set reasonable alert criteria (distance/time)

4. Test settings on short passages

Alert criteria:

• By distance: suitable for precise navigational maneuvers

• By time: convenient for planning crew actions

• Combined: provide maximum alert reliability

Event descriptions:

• Use standard terminology

• Specify concrete actions: “VTS change”, “Port entry”, “Pilotage”

• Avoid long descriptions — they may not fit in the notification window

Important

Event points are an important element of maritime safety. Properly configured EPs help prevent navigational errors and ensure timely execution of necessary actions along the route.

Route Check

Menu path
→ → Select Route → Check route
or
→ → Select Route → → Check route

Important

Before activation, the route must be checked for navigational safety. Safety check settings are individual for each route.

Route check procedure

To check a route, in the Routes window, select the route and press Check route.

Check features:

• Opening a route for editing resets the check status to “not checked”

• To re-run the check, press Check route

• The presence of navigational hazards within the cross-track distance (XTD) zone is checked

Tip

Manual entry of XTD values smaller than the minimum permissible value is not possible. If a smaller XTD value is required, modify the parameters used to calculate the minimum permissible value: drift angle, ENC accuracy, expected position fixing error.

Calculation formulas

Automatic calculation of minimum permissible XTD

The minimum permissible XTD value is calculated using the formula:

where:

• \(B_t\) — vessel maneuvering band width

• \(m\) — expected root mean square error (RMS) of vessel position fixing, entered by the user

• \(c\) — expected RMS of bathymetric feature charting accuracy (CATZOC)

Note

For the calculation, the CATZOC value encoded in the cell containing the waypoint with the outgoing route leg is used. If the CATZOC value is > 2, the value entered manually in the route check settings is used.

Maneuvering band calculation

The maneuvering band is calculated using the formula:

where:

• \(L\) — length of the vessel or barge-tow composition, in meters

• \(B\) — beam of the vessel or barge-tow composition, in meters

• \(a\) — maximum drift angle entered in vessel dimensions

• \(V\) — design vessel speed on the route leg, in m/s

Route check statuses

By default, after creation or import, the route status is set to “not checked”.

Status	Pictogram	Description
Safe		Route has been checked and is safe No hazardous objects within the set XTD Turns with the set turning radii are feasible
Not checked		Route has not been checked Safety check is required
XTD problem		XTD is less than the minimum distance to hazards Turn with the specified radius is not feasible Route parameter adjustment is required
Hazards found		Navigational hazards have been found: • Dangerous contour • Prohibited navigation areas • Insufficient vertical clearance Route modification is required
Special conditions		Areas with special navigation conditions exist along the route: • AtoN (buoys) within the route safety zone • Outdated ENC cells on the route Navigator’s attention is required

Note

Similar statuses are used when checking a route from the creation/editing window, but they apply to route legs.

Check exceptions

If any objects or areas have been excluded during check criteria configuration, pressing Check route will display a list of objects and areas excluded from the check.

Warning

A route with a “not checked” status is checked upon activation. It is recommended to perform the check in advance to identify and resolve potential issues.

Warning

Checking an extended route that crosses a large number of ENC cells may take a considerable amount of time. It is recommended to perform the check in advance.

Route check status reset

Reasons for resetting the “Checked” status:

1. ENC cell changes

• New ENCs have been loaded

• New ENC editions have been loaded

• New update sets have been loaded

• Update cells with statuses Re-Issue, Terminated have been loaded

• Manual cell corrections have been made by the navigator

• New areas to be avoided have been added (imported) by the navigator

• NAVTEX objects have been added by the navigator

2. Vessel parameter changes

• Maximum drift angle

• Minimum distance to hazards

• Vessel dimensions (including forming a barge-tow composition)

3. Navigation condition changes

• Current vessel draft

• Minimum under-keel clearance

• Current water level (affects selection of the dangerous contour and change of vessel vertical dimension)

• Calculated dangerous depth, dangerous contour, or safe height value has changed

• Hazard monitoring criteria have changed

4. External routes

Routes received by any method also have a Not checked status and are treated by ECDIS as new.

Important

Any change to parameters affecting safety causes all previously checked routes to automatically receive a “not checked” status and require re-checking.

Route safety check criteria configuration

Individual route safety check parameters are set in the settings window, which opens by pressing .

№	Parameter	Description
1	Accuracy of mapping of relief forms	Manual entry of bathymetric feature charting accuracy if CATZOC > 2 Otherwise, values are used in accordance with standard S-67 Ed.1.0 Mariners Guide to Accuracy of Depth Information in ENC The parameter affects XTD calculation and hazard monitoring. If, during ENC analysis, CATZOC > 2, the entered value is used for XTD calculation.
2	Expected error of route coordinates determinations (RMS)	Manual entry of RMS — expected positioning accuracy on the route Not related to manual RMS entry for vessel position The parameter affects XTD construction and hazard monitoring
3	Minimum distance to hazards	Minimum distance to hazards Sets the minimum approach distance to navigational hazards without accounting for RMS
4	Navigation hazards	Navigational hazards Includes/excludes objects of this category from the check
5	Safe water buoy	Safe water buoys Includes/excludes safe water buoys from the check
6	Safety contour	Safety contour Includes/excludes the safety contour from the check
7	Areas with special conditions	Areas with special navigation conditions group Includes/excludes objects of this category from checks
8	User defined areas to be avoided	User-defined areas to be avoided group Includes/excludes objects of this category from checks
9	Save	Apply settings All changes are saved and applied to the current route
10	Cancel	Return to the route creation/editing window without saving monitoring settings

Tip

It is recommended to configure check criteria according to expected navigation conditions and area characteristics. Stricter criteria increase safety but may limit route options.

Important

Route navigational safety check is not performed within the XTD.

Scanning is performed across the largest-scale cells falling within the navigational safety zone, which also accounts for the minimum distance to navigational hazards.

List of detected hazards

The status pictogram shows whether hazards have been detected on a given leg. Clicking the pictogram opens a window with a list of detected hazards in the vicinity of the selected waypoint and the next route leg. The route being checked is displayed on the map.

Working with the hazard list:

• To view a detected hazardous object, select the hazard from the list

• The hazard will be highlighted on the map for visual analysis

• The degree of threat and the need for route correction can be assessed

Tip

Before plotting and checking a route, ensure that the vessel dimensions are correctly specified and the current draft is entered, and that the check settings are correctly configured for the route being created. If hazards are detected during the check, review the list and edit the route so that it is completely safe!

Important

Route navigational safety check does not depend on the current chart display settings or the displayed chart.

Scanning is performed across the largest-scale cells falling within the XTD.

Route checking recommendations

Before checking:

1. Ensure ENCs and update data are current

2. Verify vessel dimensions

3. Set safety criteria appropriate for the navigation area

Checking process:

1. Perform a full check of the primary and backup routes

2. Analyze detected hazards

3. If necessary, adjust the route or check criteria

4. Re-run the check after making changes

After checking:

1. Ensure that all primary and backup routes have a “safe” status

2. Regularly check the primary and backup routes when the current vessel draft changes or the water level changes

Warning

Route checking does not replace the navigator’s professional judgment. The final decision on the safety of the voyage is always made by the master, taking into account all factors, including weather conditions, vessel condition, and crew.

ENC by Route (Charts by route)

Menu path
→ → Select Route → Charts by Route

The ENC by route check allows the navigator to obtain a complete list of ENCs through which the selected route passes, and to verify their currency for a specified voyage period.

Procedure for obtaining the ENC list by route

1. Select a route:

   • Open the section →

   • Select the required route in the list

   • Press Charts by Route

№	Element	Description
1	Find Charts	Select ENC cells along the route. The selection includes all cells intersected by the route leg, taking into account the calculated safety zone
2	Select All	Selects all cells in the list
3	Back	Return to the previous window

2. Specify the voyage period:

   • In the dialog, specify the departure date for the route

   • Press the Open button

3. Analyze results:

   • A table with the ENC list for the route will open

   • The system will automatically check the currency of all ENCs for the date range from the start to the end of the voyage

Interface elements

№	Element	Description
1	Export	Export ENCs to a file for further use, in accordance with Publication IHO S 63
2	Edition	Cell edition type: • Official ENCs — charts from official hydrographic offices • Unofficial ENCs — charts from commercial publishers
3	Permit	License validity period for ENC cell use The license expiration date is displayed
4	For…	ENC cell currency for the voyage schedule period Verification of update compliance for the entire voyage period
5	Cell frame	Highlighting of ENC cell boundaries on the overview chart Allows visual assessment of route chart coverage
6	Set	Name of the ENC set to which the cell belongs The list may include cells from different sets
7	Cell centering	Center the selected cell in the main ECDIS window For quick navigation to the chart area
8	Back	Return to the previous window Exit the ENC by route viewing mode

The table contains a list of ENCs through which the route passes. ENC currency is checked for the specified date range — from the voyage start date to the end date.

Exporting the ENC list

The list can be exported from ECDIS in CSV format to an external medium.

Menu path
→ → Select Route → Charts by Route → Export

Upon successful export, the message “Export completed successfully” will be displayed

Export verification:

• View the export file on any computer with a corresponding port

• A file with a name in the format Encs_name_date.csv will be written to the medium

  • name — route name

  • date — export date

Tip

The exported file contains complete information about the required ENCs and can be used for coordination with shore-based hydrographic offices during voyage preparation.

ENC statuses

Important

Before starting the voyage, be sure to check the currency of all ENCs for the entire voyage period. Outdated charts may contain outdated navigational information and pose a safety threat.

Possible ENC statuses:

• Current — the chart contains all necessary updates for the voyage period

• Update required — the chart needs to be updated before the start of the voyage

• License expiring — the license expires during the voyage period

• Missing — the chart is not installed in the system

ENC edition types

Official ENCs:

• Published by national hydrographic offices

• Comply with IHO S-57 standards

• Are an adequate replacement for official paper nautical charts

• Updated regularly

Unofficial ENCs:

• Published by commercial cartographic companies

• May contain additional information

• Do not have official status

• May be used as a supplement to official charts, for areas without official coverage

Note

For areas with incomplete official ENC coverage, the use of unofficial charts as backup cartographic support is permitted.

Route coverage check

When analyzing the ENC list, pay attention to:

1. Coverage continuity:

   • The entire route must be covered by ENC cells

   • Gaps in chart coverage are unacceptable

2. Chart scales:

   • Availability of cells at the required scales for all sections

   • Large-scale charts for port approaches and narrow channels

3. Currency:

   • All ENC cells must be current

   • License validity must not expire during the voyage period

Warning

Navigating in areas without chart coverage or with outdated charts poses a serious threat to navigational safety and may be a precursor to a navigational incident.

Integration with voyage planning

The ENC by route report is used for:

• Quick verification of the ship’s ENC collection by Port State Control

• Route adjustment in case of insufficient chart coverage

• Planning chart requests to shore-based hydrographic offices

• Assessing vessel readiness for the voyage

• Documenting the ENC collection status for port authorities

Route Editing

Menu path
→ → Select Route →

Route editing allows making changes to a created route, adjusting waypoint positions, configuring safety criteria, and managing event points.

Route editing

1. Open the route for editing

Select the route and press — the Route editing window will open.

2. Modify waypoint positions

Waypoint positions can be modified using any convenient method:

Tabular editing:

• Position the cursor with the left mouse button (tap) in the field to be modified in the Latitude/Longitude columns

• Enter the new value

• Press Enter to confirm the input

Graphical editing with a pointing device:

• Move the waypoint to a new position on the map

• Hold the left mouse button on the WP and drag it to the desired location

Graphical editing with a touch screen:

• Move the waypoint to a new position on the map

• Tap and hold the WP, then drag it to the desired location

Tip

Graphical movement of waypoints provides visual editing, but for precise positioning, tabular coordinate input is recommended.

3. Event point management

• Add event points on the route via the event point management interface

• Modify parameters of existing event points

• Delete unnecessary event points

Note

Detailed information about working with event points is presented in Event Points (EP by route).

4. Editing route parameters

The following fields can be modified:

Parameter	Description
XTD PORT	Permissible cross-track deviation to port of the planned track Edited manually or calculated automatically
XTD STBD	Permissible cross-track deviation to starboard of the planned track Edited manually or calculated automatically
Speed	Planned speed on the route section Used for arrival time calculation
Route Name	Route name for identification Displayed in the route list
WP Name	Waypoint names Especially important for the start and end points

Editing features:

• Editing is performed in the same way as route creation

• **Batch editing** of parameters is available

Important

When waypoint coordinates are changed, the Leg length and Leg bearing parameters are recalculated automatically. These fields are not available for manual editing.

5. Automatic parameter recalculation

When changes are made to the route, the system automatically:

• Recalculates route leg lengths

• Updates leg bearings

• Adjusts the total route length

• Recalculates the schedule when speeds are changed

6. Saving changes

To apply all changes made, press the Save button.

Warning

All changes to the route take effect only after pressing the Save button. If you exit without saving, all changes will be canceled.

Checking after editing

Important

After editing a route, its check status is automatically reset to “not checked”. A re-check of the route safety must be performed before using it.

Recommended sequence after editing:

1. Save changes

2. Perform a route safety check

3. Analyze the check results

4. If necessary, make additional corrections

5. Ensure the “safe” status is obtained

Editing limitations

Cannot be edited:

• Activated routes (along which the vessel is navigating)

• Calculated parameters (leg length and bearing)

• Routes in track monitoring mode

Requires special attention:

• Changing vessel dimensions affects all routes

• Changing safety criteria requires re-checking

• Changing XTD may affect check results

Route Deletion

Menu path
→ → Select Route →

Important

Any route can be deleted, except for an activated route, i.e., one along which the vessel is currently navigating!

Route deletion is an irreversible operation. After confirming deletion, the route cannot be restored.

Route deletion procedure

Steps:

1. Select the route for deletion in the route list

2. Verify that the route is not active (not used for track monitoring)

3. Press

4. Confirm the operation in the confirmation dialog

Warning

Before deleting a route, carefully verify:

• Whether the route is the only one for this voyage

• Whether the route is needed for future voyages

• Whether backups of important routes have been saved

Deletion limitations

Cannot be deleted:

Route status	Description	Actions
Activated route	Route in track monitoring mode The vessel is currently navigating along it	Complete the voyage or deactivate the route Deletion will become available
Route being edited	Another user is editing the route	Wait for editing to complete Or cancel the editing

Can be deleted:

• Inactive routes of any status (checked, unchecked)

• Imported routes not used for navigation

• Test routes after testing is complete

• Obsolete routes for destinations no longer in use

What happens during deletion

When a route is deleted, the following are automatically removed:

• All waypoints of the route

• All event points (EP) associated with the route

• Safety check results for the route

• Change history of the route

• Schedule for the route

Note

Associated ENCs and chart data are not deleted.

Route management recommendations

Before deleting, consider alternatives:

1. Route archiving:

   • Export the route to an *.rtz file

   • Save to an external medium for possible future use

   • Delete from the system only after creating a backup copy

2. Temporary deactivation:

   • Instead of deleting, simply stop using the route

   • Keep it in the system for reference purposes

   • Edit for reuse if necessary

3. Renaming for identification:

   • Add a prefix such as “OLD_” or “UNUSED_” to the name

   • Organize routes by usage status

Route deletion planning:

• Regularly (e.g., once a month) review the route list

• Delete only routes that are definitely no longer needed

• Maintain documentation of deleted routes for reporting purposes

Recovery after accidental deletion

Warning

The system does not provide a function to restore deleted routes. The only way to recover is to import from a previously created backup.

If a route was accidentally deleted:

1. Immediately stop further system operations

2. Check for exported copies of the route (*.rtz files)

3. Import the route from the backup if available

4. Recreate the route manually using available documentation

5. Perform a safety check on the restored route

Important

Route deletion is a responsible operation requiring careful attention. Always verify the correct route is selected for deletion and that backups of critically important navigational data exist.

Route Import

Menu path
→ → → Find Route → Import

Important

ECDIS supports import of routes only in the exchange format *.rtz. Route files in any other format will not be imported.

Supported import methods

ECDIS supports 2 methods of importing routes:

Method	Description	Application
Method 1	Import from a removable USB medium	The most common method for transferring routes between systems
Method 2	Import via network-450	For receiving routes from other ECDIS units on the internal protected bridge network

Method 1: Import from USB medium

Preparation for import

USB medium requirements:

• File system: FAT32

• Route files in *.rtz format

• Sufficient free space for the operation

Note

The RTZ format (Route Plan Exchange) is an international standard for exchanging route data between different ECDIS, Radar, and other navigational systems.

Import procedure

1: Connect the medium

1. Insert the USB medium with routes in *.rtz format into the ECDIS USB port

2. Wait for the device to be recognized by the system

3. Ensure the medium has been correctly identified

2: Open the import interface

Sequence of actions:

Action	Interface element
Open the main menu
Go to routes
Open import functions
Find route files	Find Route
Perform import	Import

3: Select the route for import

In the dialog, select a route from the list of detected *.rtz files on the USB medium:

• List of routes in *.rtz format on the USB medium

• Route name from the *.rtz file

• Control buttons (Import, Cancel)

Tip

Carefully review route names before importing. Ensure you are selecting the correct route needed for current navigational tasks.

4: Confirm the import

1. Select the required route in the list

2. Press Import to start the process

3. Wait for the operation to complete

5: Verify the result

After successful import:

The imported route will be:

• Added to the route list with a “not checked” status

• Available for editing

• Ready for safety checking

Warning

The imported route automatically receives a “not checked” status.

6: Complete the procedure

To return to the “Routes” window, press Cancel in the import dialog.

Method 2: Import via network-450

Network import configuration

Route reception is performed via network-450 in *.rtz format from another ECDIS.

Important

To receive routes over the network, the Routes sensor must be configured in ECDIS.

Network import procedure

Automatic process:

1. The configured sensor automatically receives routes from other ECDIS units via

2. Received routes are added to the list with a “not checked” status

3. A notification about the received new route is displayed in the interface

Manual processing:

1. Check the route buffer for new entries

2. Perform a safety check on the received route

3. If necessary, edit the route parameters

Formats and compatibility

Supported format:

• Only *.rtz — Route Plan Exchange Format

• Compatible with all ECDIS and Radar systems

Format limitations:

• Files in other formats (*.gpx, *.kml, *.txt) are not supported

• Only navigational information is preserved during import

• User display settings are not imported

Troubleshooting

Typical problems and solutions:

Problem	Cause	Solution
File not recognized	Incorrect format or corrupted file	Check the file format (*.rtz) and its integrity
Route not displayed	Import error	Repeat the import procedure with a valid file
Incorrect coordinates	Different coordinate systems	Check datum settings in the source and target systems
No connection	Network configuration issues	Check the “Routes” sensor settings in section 28

Route Export

Menu path
→ → Select Route → Export

Important

Route export to an external medium is performed only in the exchange format *.rtz, ensuring compatibility with other ECDIS and navigational systems.

Export methods

2 route export methods:

Method	Description	Application
1	Export using a removable USB medium	Transfer routes to other vessels or shore-based services
2	Export via network-450	Direct transfer of routes to other ECDIS on the internal integrated bridge network

Method 1: Export to USB medium

Preparation for export

The USB medium must comply with the requirements specified by ECDIS.

Note

The RTZ format includes route parameters: waypoint coordinates, XTD parameters, speeds (minimum, maximum, planned), and event points.

Export procedure

Step 1: Connect the medium

1. Insert the USB medium into the ECDIS USB port

2. Mount the medium

3. Wait for the device to be recognized by the system

Step 2: Select the route and start the export

Action	Interface element
Open the main menu
Go to routes
Select the route	Select Route
Open export functions
Select the device

Step 3: Select the destination device

In the list, select the USB medium to save the route:

Step 4: Confirm the export

1. Select the device from the list

2. Press the “Export” button to start the process

3. Wait for the write operation to complete

Step 5: Verify the result

After the export is complete:

• The system will display a successful completion message

• A file with a name in the format Name_timestamp.rtz will appear on the USB medium

• timestamp contains the date and time the route was created in ECDIS

To return to the “Routes” window, press Cancel.

Step 6: Verify the exported file

Recommended verification:

1. Safely eject the USB medium from ECDIS

2. Connect the medium to any computer

3. Verify the presence of the route file (*.rtz)

4. Check the file size (must be greater than 0 bytes)

Warning

It is recommended to verify export results before using the route on other systems. Corrupted files may cause errors during import.

Method 2: Export via network-450

Network export configuration

Route transfer is performed via network-450 to any recipient within the internal bridge network in *.rtz format: other ECDIS units, radars, planning systems.

Important

To transfer routes over the network, the Routes sensor must be configured in ECDIS.

Network export

Selecting recipients and sending

Sequence of actions for network export:

Action	Interface element
Open the main menu
Go to routes
Select the route	Select Route
Open export functions
Select the recipient
Send the route	Send

Selecting route recipients

Select the recipient or recipients of the route on the integrated bridge:

Possible recipients:

• Backup ECDIS in the bridge system

• Radar with RTZ support

• Other navigational stations on the bridge network

Note

There may be multiple recipients simultaneously on the integrated bridge. The route will be sent to all selected systems in parallel.

If the route name does not comply with IEC 61162-450 requirements, ECDIS will refuse to transmit the route over the network.

Monitoring the sending process

Viewing the route sending process to recipients:

Action	Interface element
Open the main menu
Go to routes
Open status monitoring
Select Outgoing

The Status column shows the route file sending result for each recipient:

• Waiting — file transfer is in progress. For large files, transfer may take some time

• Received — file has been received

• No Response — no response. The receiving station did not receive the file

Transfer quality control

After sending the route:

1. Check the status of all recipients in the transfer monitor

2. Verify receipt confirmations from recipients

3. On errors, repeat the transfer or use an alternative method

Formats and compatibility

RTZ standard (Route Plan Exchange)

Format technical specifications:

• Standard: IEC 61174 (Route Plan Exchange Format)

• Compatibility: Supported by most modern ECDIS

• Encoding: UTF-8 for international characters

• Structure: XML-based format

Note

Not exported: user display settings, local interface customizations, personal notes of watch officers.

Export limitations

Technical limitations:

• Maximum file size: 10 MB

• Only geographic coordinates in the WGS-84 coordinate system are supported

• Time zones are saved in UTC

Managing exported routes

Route naming recommendations:

• Use clear names indicating the direction

• Always name the first and last points of the route

• Include the planning date in the name

• Avoid special characters in names

Tip

File organization on USB medium:

• Create separate folders for each voyage

• Group routes by navigation regions

• Duplicate critically important routes

• Maintain a text file describing the contents

Troubleshooting

Typical export problems

Problem	Cause	Solution
USB not recognized	Medium or port malfunction	Replace the medium/port
File write error	Insufficient space or write protection	Free up space, remove protection
File not created	Errors in route data	Check the route for errors
Network transfer not working	Sensor configuration issues	Check the “Routes” sensor settings
Recipient not responding	Target system unavailability	Check the network connection

Problem diagnosis

After an unsuccessful export:

1. Check the system log for errors

2. Verify the correctness of route data

3. Check free space on the target device

4. Retry the export to a different device

5. Contact the system administrator for recurring problems

Integration with other systems

ECDIS compatibility

Supported systems:

• NSR ECDIS NES-3000 (full compatibility)

• Modern ECDIS (RTZ standard)

• Radar

• Shore-based vessel traffic management systems

Schedule

Menu path
→ → →

Important

ECDIS calculates the vessel schedule along the planned route, taking into account the planned speed on each route section and the waiting time at WPs.

Automatic schedule calculation

ECDIS performs automatic schedule calculation in the following cases:

Event	Description	Base time
Route activation	Recalculation from the start of track monitoring	Current system time
Route parameter change	Dynamic recalculation during adjustments	Saved ETD time

Note

Schedule correction is performed continuously in real time when any route parameters change and when WPs are passed.

Parameters considered in the calculation

Main parameters

№	Element	Description
1	—	Positioning at the point
2	WP Name	Waypoint name
3	ETA	Date and time of arrival at the waypoint
4	Stay Time	Time spent at the point. Entered manually by the navigator
5	ETD	Date and time of departure from the waypoint
6	Start time	Date and time of the planned start of movement along the route
7	Final point arrival time	Date and time of arrival at the final route point

The following is considered when calculating the schedule:

• Planned speed on each route leg

• Stay time at each waypoint

• Geometry type of the section (great circle/rhumb line)

• Departure date and time (ETD — Estimated Time of Departure)

Attention

When the time zone in ECDIS is changed, the schedule is recalculated.

Preliminary schedule calculation

Setting waypoint stay times

When it is necessary to estimate the arrival time at intermediate and final WPs, the navigator can calculate the schedule for a specific date and time:

Step 1: Set the stay time at WPs (if necessary):

In the planning table, set — Stay Time

Tip

Stay time: port operations, bunkering, crew change, pilot waiting time, lock and bridge passages.

Setting the departure date and time

Step 2: Set the departure date and time:

ETD (Estimated Time of Departure):

• Departure date — calendar date of the voyage start

• Departure time — exact time of the start of movement

• Time zone — local time or UTC

• Tidal considerations — if necessary

Recalculation result

Step 3: View the adjusted schedule:

After recalculation, the following is displayed:

• ETA for each waypoint (Estimated Time of Arrival)

• Section transit times between waypoints

• Total voyage time along the route

• Layover times at intermediate points

• Arrival time at the final point

In-voyage schedule correction

Automatic correction

ECDIS continuously corrects the schedule based on:

• Actual vessel speed — recalculation based on actual WP passage times

• Real time delays in ports

• Weather condition changes

Manual schedule correction

The navigator can make changes:

1. Change the speed on individual sections

2. Add additional delays at waypoints

3. Adjust the departure time from the current position

4. Recalculate the entire route with new parameters

Important

For any changes, the system automatically recalculates the schedule for all subsequent route sections.

Track Monitoring

Menu path
→ → Select Route → Activate

ECDIS monitors navigation along the route.

Track monitoring is performed only when a route is activated.

Route activation

1. Go to “Routes”

2. Select the route and press “Activate”

When activating a route, ECDIS checks the route status. If the route is safe, activation will be performed; otherwise, a notification will be displayed. The route can be activated forcibly.

Important

Before activating the route, check the current draft and water level settings. In the “Route check settings”, the area groups to be checked during track monitoring must be selected.

What happens on activation

On activation:

• the route is displayed on the map, and the first waypoint is centered on the screen

• the Route monitoring panel becomes available in the right panel

• the off-scale indicator of the vessel’s position on the route becomes available

• a Voyage time diagram appears at the bottom of the chart window

• when the vessel exceeds the XTD boundaries, ECDIS will generate warnings

• ECDIS will generate warnings about approaching turn points visually on the off-scale indicator and with an audible signal

Alarms and warnings

When navigating along an activated route, ECDIS generates additional alarms, warnings, and cautions related to the route:

• when any point of the vessel’s outline exceeds the maximum cross-track deviation from the planned track set by the navigator

• warnings/cautions about predicted XTD exceedance

• route monitoring criteria are configurable:

• Time to turn alert — warning time before an upcoming turn

Important

When heading data is unavailable, XTD exceedance monitoring is performed relative to the track vector.

Route monitoring panel

№	Element	Description
1	Active route name	Name of the route being used for track monitoring
2	Route status	Check status indicator
3	WP***	Number or name of the current waypoint
4	Bearing to WP	Bearing to the next waypoint
5	Distance to WOL	Distance to the wheel-over point (calculated taking into account the turning radius)
6	Time to WOL	Time to the wheel-over point
7	Leg bearing	Direction of the planned track to the waypoint of the current route leg
8	ETA	Estimated time of arrival at the final waypoint of the route
9	Calculated date	Estimated date of arrival at the final point of the route
10	WP***	Number or name of the next waypoint
11	Bearing/Dist.	Direction and length of the next route leg
12	—	Turn diagram at the next waypoint
13	Passed	Distance traveled out of the total length
13	Rem. time	Voyage time — time since the start of track monitoring

Hint

When activating a route, ECDIS automatically selects the nearest WP and adopts it as the starting point of the route. The bearing to the automatically selected WP will be displayed in the window.

If necessary, the navigator can change the waypoint to follow.

Voyage time diagram

When a route is activated, a voyage time diagram is generated.

A single left-click (tap) expands the diagram. The diagram includes:

Collapsed diagram view:

Expanded diagram view:

№	Element	Description
1	WP name	Waypoint name
2	Minimum depth	Minimum depth on the route leg, taken from the ENC, taking into account the current water level value entered manually
3	Planned speed	On the route leg
4	Course	On the route leg
5	Arrival time	At the WP
6	Stay time	At the WP
7	Departure time	From the WP
8	Distance	Between WPs

Working with the diagram

Zooming: Short route sections may overlap. To view hidden information in the diagram, change the diagram scale:

• Zoom in: hover the cursor over the hidden route section and scroll the mouse wheel

• Mouse wheel scrolling performs both zooming in and out of the diagram

• On a touch screen: zooming in and out is performed by spreading/pinching two fingers on the segment of interest

Viewing point information: In the collapsed view, information for any route point can be viewed by clicking on the desired point.

№	Element	Description
1	WP name	Waypoint name
2	Planned speed	On the route leg
3	Minimum depth	On the route leg, taken from the ENC, taking into account the current water level value entered manually
4	Distance between WPs	Distance between waypoints
5	Course	On the route leg
6	Arrival time	At the WP
7	Departure time	From the WP
8	Stay time	At the WP
9	Selected WP	Marker of the currently selected point

Tip

If ECDIS operation is interrupted for any reason, navigation along the activated route will resume when operation is restored.

In the expanded view, information for all points is displayed.

Route deactivation

After passing the last waypoint, the route is automatically deactivated.

The Deactivate button forcibly stops route monitoring.

Track monitoring recommendations

Preparation for route activation:

1. Analyze the route safety check results

2. Verify the currency of ENCs and update data

3. Check the operability of navigational sensors

Monitoring process:

1. Continuously monitor XTD deviation

2. Track the navigation schedule

3. Analyze monitoring system warnings

4. Monitor changes in the navigational situation

Safety control:

1. Do not ignore alarm and warning signals

2. Respond promptly to route deviations

3. Adjust speed if necessary

Important

Track monitoring requires constant attention from the officer of the watch.

Automation does not relieve the navigator of the duty to maintain traditional navigational plotting and monitor navigation safety.

Features of working with an activated route

Limitations with an active route:

• Editing of the route is prohibited

• Vessel dimensions cannot be changed

• Safety criteria cannot be adjusted

• Deletion of the active route is unavailable

Warning

In case of unforeseen circumstances (new obstacles, weather condition changes, technical malfunctions), immediately deactivate the route and make a decision on further actions.

The safety of the vessel and crew takes priority over compliance with the voyage plan.

Note

Track monitoring is the final stage of voyage planning. The quality of its execution directly affects the safety and efficiency of navigation.