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The heads of the two RENCs, Dr Wyn Williams and Frode Klepsvik, together with the President of the International Hydrographic Bureau, VAdm Alexandros Maratos, have signed a letter of intent which will mean that users of ENC data from both RENCs will for the first time have access to a variety of seamless and reliable ENC services.
IC-ENC, based in UK and PRIMAR-Stavanger, based in Norway, were both formed to facilitate the quality assurance and the distribution of ENCs. In recent years, the two RENCs have adopted differing approaches to the distribution of ENCs. This renewed co-operation will therefore be welcomed by the international maritime community following speculation that the RENCs were deadlocked on this issue.
VAdm Alexandros Maratos is delighted by this: “It is an important step forward for digital charting and exactly the kind of collaboration which will not only provide a platform for real progress and development but it will also provide the mariner with choice, and accessible, seamless services for official navigational data,” he says.
Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) have taken a lot of criticism in recent years, most notably at the ECDIS conference in Singapore, owing to lack of ENC coverage, poor distribution and slow technological advance.
“We live in a digital age where people can get in their cars and satellite navigation systems will not only plot a route but provide real-time information on how to avoid traffic jams, says Dr Williams, Operator of IC-ENC and Chief Executive of UKHO. “It’s absurd to expect those same drivers to then board their ship and unroll paper charts. The benefits that technology can bring to navigation are considerable and it is imperative that IC-ENC and PRIMAR-Stavanger lead the way in providing choice and solutions to the teething problems that digital navigation has been experiencing”, he adds.
“Both RENCs have been looking for some time at finding ways to improve services and promote development in this field”, says Frode Klepsvik, “The two RENCs working in cooperation is an excellent leap forward, which, in line with the WEND principles as articulated by the IHO, will ensure cohesive, accessible services for the mariner.”
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