Route Creation

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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.