30 SEPTEMBER 2017 • FOGHORN SAFETYMATTERS By Eric Christensen, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Risk Management O n July 18, 2017, the U.S. Coast Guard Office of Navigation Systems published in the Federal Register an update to Navigation and Inspection Circular 01-16: Use of Electronic Charts and Publications In Lieu of Paper Charts and Publications. The policy identifies acceptable equivalencies to paper charts and publications as well as position fixing and plotting requirements under Coast Guard Regulations. The update was needed to recognize electronic charting systems not originally approved in the original NVIC published in February 2016. PVA recognized the shortcom- ings of the NVIC and asked the Coast Guard to re-evaluate Use of Electronic Charts – Part Deux the current state of electronic charts especially on smaller and inland vessels. The guidance applies to U.S. vessels subject to U.S. chart, or map and publication carriage requirements contained in Titles 33 and 46 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and provides a voluntary alternative means to comply with those requirements. The requirements for charts and nautical publica- tions are contained in 46 CFR Parts 121.420 and 184.420 for small passenger vessels inspected under Subchapters K and T, respectively. For passenger vessels inspected under Subchapter H, the requirements are contained in 33 CFR 164.33. Regardless of subchapter the requirements are very similar. Vessels must carry adequate up-to-date charts ap- propriate for the intended voyage. The charts need to be of a large enough scale for safe navigation. Electronic Charts The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA, as well as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), have published electronic charts since the early 2000s. These electronic charts meet the relevant standards and specifications of the International Hydrographic Organization for electronic charts; therefore, the Coast Guard has determined that display of NOAA or USACE electronic charts meets the chart carriage requirements mentioned above. Depending on your area of operation, the equipment used to display electronic charts must meet certain standards. For vessels that operate seaward of the territorial sea baseline (Limited Coastwise, Coastwise, or Oceans), the display must meet the International Electrotechnical Committee’s Maritime Navigation and Radiocommunication Equipment and Systems Standard (IEC 60945) or be a Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services Electronic Chart System. Vessels that operate solely inside the territorial; sea base line have more flexibility and may display an electronic chart on a system of the operator’s choosing as long as the elec- tronic chart is displayed in a large enough scale with enough detail to facilitate safe navigation Coast Guard Inspection The updated NVIC provides guidance to Coast Guard marine inspectors on how to evaluate and approve elec-