Australian Hydrographic Service

SEA 1430 Phase 1 provides a digital hydrographic data base for the Australian Hydrographic Service capable of accepting, storing, maintaining and managing all relevant hydrographic source information.

SEA 1430 Phase 1 provides the capability to support both military and civil geographic data standards and permits a full range of products to be produced from a single digital database.

SEA 1430 Phase 1 enhances our capability to provide digital spatial information for ADF command support systems and to compile, publish and disseminate nautical and hydrographic data and information necessary for safe navigation. This includes support and updating of nautical charts and publications or their electronic equivalents.

Project Schedule

Phase 1 prime contract was awarded in April 1999 and included a four-year follow-on support contract. The system was accepted by the Project Authority on 10 June 2004. An ongoing support and maintenance contract including a hardware and software update plan was signed in October 2008.

Project SEA 1430 Ph2A will provide an Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) for the navigation of RAN vessels. ECDIS systems will also be delivered to selected command and training shore establishments.

Introduction of these capabilities will replace the use of paper charts for navigation of RAN ships, and in so doing, improve navigation safety and efficiency of RAN operations, as well as streamline maritime planning at headquarters level.

ECDIS is more than just an electronic image of a nautical chart on a computer screen. ECDIS will provide a powerful situation awareness and decision making tool on the bridge by combining satellite and other position fixing information with ship's sensors and a sophisticated electronic database of charting and other navigation information.

ECDIS continuously analyses and compares the chart information with a ship's position, intended course and its manoeuvring characteristics to give warning of approaching dangers. Amongst other things, ECDIS provides alerts and prompts for planned course alterations. Chart and positional information can be accessed instantly and is displayed on high resolution full colour screens.

In addition, ECDIS provides many other sophisticated features, including continuous data recording for later analysis; efficient and reliable updating of chart information; improved safety of navigation and protection of the marine environment; efficient voyage planning and a reduced workload for officers on the bridge. Reducing the workload of planning and plotting on paper charts means more attention can be given to maintaining situational and tactical awareness.

The project to equip the RAN with ECDIS is titled Navigation Display Systems (NDS).

The contractor for this project is Nautronix based in Fremantle Western Australia. Nautronix has subcontracted OSL (Vancouver) and SMA (Sydney) to supply the ECDIS systems and logistic support respectively.