ENC by Route (Charts by route)

Menu path

MenuRoutes → 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 MenuRoutes

    • Select the required route in the list Route list

    • Press Charts by Route Empty ENC list

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

  1. Specify the voyage period:

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

    • Press the Open button

Voyage start date selection dialog

  1. 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

ENC by route table

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
Cell frame on map

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

MenuRoutes → Select Route → Charts by RouteExport

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