Automatic Route Checking Method Using Post-processing for the Measured Water Depth

Abstract

An Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) is a standardized database that can be used with an Electronic Chart Display & Information System (ECDIS) for applications such as navigation warning, efficient route planning for ship navigation, etc. An ENC contains all the required information for ship navigation. Route planning on the ENC is done with a consideration of the depth area, distance with isolated danger area, structures requiring navigation, wrecks, etc. Because route planning has to be done in consideration of these factors, sometimes a route will have a longer distance than the straight line distance. This causes much loss of time and fuel. In order to reduce the loss of time and fuel, it is necessary to have a wide navigation area. The first item of consideration, the depth area, has a decisive effect on route planning. However, the depth area consists of a large interval of about 5 to 10 meters and this interval can cause a gap of several kilometers on the horizontal distance. This means that the navigation area is (narrower than the optimized navigation) not optimal on narrow waterways, has a low slope surplane, and in some cases there are problems with under water topography. An ENC contains all the required information for ship navigation. Route planning on the ENC is done with a consideration of the depth area, distance with isolated danger area, structures requiring navigation, wrecks, etc. Because route planning has to be done in consideration of these factors, sometimes a route will have a longer distance than the straight line distance. This causes much loss of time and fuel. In order to reduce the loss of time and fuel, it is necessary to have a wide navigation area. The first item of consideration, the depth area, has a decisive effect on route planning. However, the depth area consists of a large interval of about 5 to 10 meters and this interval can cause a gap of several kilometers on the horizontal distance. This means that the navigation area is (narrower than the optimized navigation) not optimal on narrow waterways, has a low slope surplane, and in some cases there are problems with under water topography.