Track Monitoring
Menu path |
|---|
|
ECDIS monitors navigation along the route.
Track monitoring is performed only when a route is activated.
Route activation
Go to “Routes”

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:
Analyze the route safety check results
Verify the currency of ENCs and update data
Check the operability of navigational sensors
Monitoring process:
Continuously monitor XTD deviation
Track the navigation schedule
Analyze monitoring system warnings
Monitor changes in the navigational situation
Safety control:
Do not ignore alarm and warning signals
Respond promptly to route deviations
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.