Extended Operational and Trade Vocabulary

ECDIS and Bridge Equipment Makers glossary

The bridge-equipment vocabulary: the GMDSS sea areas (A1 to A4) as a coverage frame, the ECDIS, radar, and integrated-bridge equipment makers, and the type-approval and sensor-integration terms. Grounds each term in the bridge equipment maker or the navigation-equipment standard it belongs to.

274 defined terms.

Showing 250 on this page (page 1 of 2).

A

A1 Sea Area: GMDSS area within VHF DSC coverage of at least one coast station, typically 20 to 30 nautical miles.
A2 Sea Area: GMDSS area within MF DSC coverage of at least one coast station, excluding A1, typically out to 100 to 200 nautical miles.
A3 Sea Area: GMDSS area within geostationary satellite (Inmarsat) coverage, excluding A1 and A2, roughly 76 N to 76 S.
A4 Sea Area: GMDSS area outside A1, A2 and A3, comprising the polar regions above 76 latitude.
ACR Electronics: US manufacturer of EPIRBs, PLBs and AIS-SARTs (e.g., GlobalFix V4/V5).
ADS-B: Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast, an aviation transponder protocol referenced in maritime drone and uncrewed surface vessel integration discussions.
AIS: Automatic Identification System, a VHF data broadcast system mandated by SOLAS V/19.2.4.
AIS aid to navigation: Virtual or physical AIS AtoN.
AIS Base Station: Shore-based AIS station that manages slot assignments and transmits Message 4.
AIS Class A: Mandatory transponder for SOLAS vessels broadcasting MMSI, position, course, speed.
AIS Class B: Lower-power transponder used by smaller, non-SOLAS craft.
AIS Pilot Plug: Standardized AMP connector on the AIS unit providing IEC 61162 NMEA data to a marine pilot's portable navigation aid.
AIS-SART: AIS Search and Rescue Transmitter for survival craft.
Alphatron Marine: Dutch supplier of bridge electronics including AIS Class A units under the AlphaBridge line.
AMI Marine: United Kingdom maker of bridge electronics including the C2000 conning display and rudder angle indicator systems.
Anschutz Standard 14: Legacy mechanical gyrocompass produced by Anschutz of Kiel, predecessor to the Standard 20 and Standard 22 series.
Anschutz Standard 20: Twin sphere gyrocompass introduced by Anschutz in the 1980s and widely fitted to merchant tonnage built in that era.
Anschutz Standard 22: Liquid suspended gyrocompass from Raytheon Anschutz with type approval to IMO Resolution A.424(XI), one of the most widely installed marine gyrocompasses.
Anschutz Standard 30 MF: High latitude gyrocompass from Raytheon Anschutz designed to maintain accuracy above 70 degrees north or south.
ARPA: Automatic Radar Plotting Aid training course required for officers operating ARPA equipped radars under STCW Table A-II/1.
ATA: Actual Time of Arrival at the pilot station or berth.
Autopilot: Automatic steering system using gyro or magnetic compass input.
AVCS: Admiralty Vector Chart Service.

B

B&G: Brookes and Gatehouse, a Navico Group brand producing sailing yacht instruments, Zeus chartplotters, and H5000 processors.
BAM: Bridge Alert Management, the alert handling framework standardized by IMO Resolution MSC.302(87) and IEC 62923.
Barnacle Effect on Log: Degradation of speed log accuracy caused by fouling of impeller or sensor faces, addressed in commissioning checks.
Beacon Receiver: Differential GNSS receiver tuned to medium frequency IALA radiobeacons broadcasting RTCM corrections.
BNWAS: Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System, mandated by SOLAS V/19.2.2.3 and specified by IMO Resolution MSC.128(75), alerting backup officers if the watchkeeper becomes incapacitated.
Boatswain Call: Traditional pipe used aboard naval and merchant vessels, retained on some bridge wing displays for ceremonial purposes.
BR-3440: X band magnetron radar from Tokyo Keiki with 250 millimeter color display, type approved for SOLAS use.
BR-3450: 19 inch display variant of the Tokyo Keiki BR series radar for larger bridge installations.
Bridge Console: Operator workstation integrating radar, ECDIS, conning, and communications equipment in an ergonomic arrangement.
Bridge Layout: Physical arrangement of bridge equipment, governed by IMO Resolution MSC.64(67) Annex 1 and SOLAS V/15.
Bridge Wing Console: Auxiliary control position on each bridge wing providing maneuvering controls for berthing operations.

C

Cassens and Plath: Bremerhaven based maker of magnetic compasses, sextants, and binnacles since 1862, supplying Reflecta and Merkur class compasses.
CAT 1 ECDIS: ECDIS configuration meeting full IMO Resolution MSC.232(82) performance standard, suitable as primary chart system.
CAT 2 ECDIS: Backup ECDIS unit meeting reduced requirements while still type approved.
CCRP: Common Coordinate Reference Point, the survey reference origin to which all sensor offsets are reduced.
Cetrek: Historic United Kingdom autopilot maker absorbed into the ComNav and Simrad commercial product lines.
ChartPilot 1100: ECDIS module of the SAM Electronics NACOS Platinum integrated bridge platform.
cNav 2050: Kongsberg differential GNSS receiver providing decimeter level positioning for DP and survey applications.
cNav 3050: Kongsberg precise point positioning GNSS receiver for offshore work with global L band corrections.
Cobham SAILOR 2200 Mini-C: Inmarsat C and GMDSS terminal used for SafetyNET, SSAS, and LRIT.
Cobham SAILOR 250 FleetBroadband: Inmarsat FBB terminal with 25 cm antenna providing up to 284 kbit per second over Inmarsat I-4.
Cobham SAILOR 4300 VHF: GMDSS VHF DSC radio from Cobham SATCOM for SOLAS vessels.
Cobham SAILOR 500 FleetBroadband: Inmarsat FBB terminal with 60 cm antenna providing up to 432 kbit per second.
Cobham SAILOR 6300 MF/HF: GMDSS MF and HF radio console from Cobham SATCOM, formerly Thrane and Thrane.
Cobham Sea Tel TVR: Series of marine VSAT antennas with stabilized Ku band performance for offshore connectivity.
Compass Adjuster: Licensed practitioner who corrects deviation in a magnetic compass using Flinders bar and Kelvin spheres.
Compass deviation: Difference between magnetic and compass north.
Conning Display: Bridge display aggregating navigation data, often part of IBS.
Course recorder: Device logging compass heading over time.
CSTDMA: Carrier-Sense Time Division Multiple Access access scheme used by basic AIS Class B.

D

Daniamant L170: Lifebuoy light commonly fitted to bridge wing lifebuoys for MOB marking.
DGNSS: General term covering DGPS and similar augmentation.
DGPS Beacon: Marine radiobeacon transmitting differential GPS corrections in the 283.5 to 325 kHz band.
Doppler log: Speed log using Doppler shift of reflected acoustic signals.
DP Class 1: Dynamic positioning system without redundancy, defined in IMO MSC/Circ.645.
DP Class 2: Dynamic positioning notation required for most North Sea DSVs.
DP Class 3: Dynamic positioning notation with full redundancy including separated machinery spaces.
DR: Dead reckoning, the navigation method of projecting position from a known fix using course and speed.
DS-80: Furuno Doppler speed log measuring two axes of ground and water speed.
DSC: Digital Selective Calling per ITU-R M.493 and ITU-R M.541.

E

eBL: Electronic bill of lading per DCSA standards.
EC-8600: Tokyo Keiki ECDIS with type approval to IMO Resolution MSC.232(82).
ECDIS: Electronic Chart Display and Information System per IMO MSC.232(82).
ECDIS backup arrangement: Type-approved secondary means per SOLAS V/19.
ECDIS Generic Training: IMO Model Course 1.27 covering the operation of ECDIS without reference to a specific manufacturer.
ECDIS Type-Specific Training: Manufacturer-defined training on a particular ECDIS make and model, required by STCW Regulation I/14 for serving officers.
ECDISPILOT NX: Track control system from Raytheon Anschutz integrated with the SYNAPSIS NX bridge.
EM 122: Kongsberg deep water multibeam echo sounder operating at 12 kHz for full ocean depth bathymetric mapping.
EM 2040: Kongsberg high-resolution shallow water multibeam echo sounder for inshore and coastal bathymetry.
EM 302: Kongsberg mid water multibeam echo sounder operating at 30 kHz.
EM 710: Kongsberg shallow to mid water multibeam echo sounder operating at 70 to 100 kHz.
EM Log: Electromagnetic speed log measuring water speed by induced voltage in a sensor protruding through the hull.
ENC: Electronic Navigational Chart, an S-57 (and future S-101) compliant vector dataset issued by or under the authority of a national HO.
EPFS: Electronic Position Fixing System, the IMO term encompassing GNSS receivers and supporting positioning equipment.
EPIRB: Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon required under SOLAS IV/7.
ES-38R: Tokyo Keiki dual frequency echo sounder for SOLAS vessels.
ES-38R-J: Japanese type approved variant of the Tokyo Keiki ES-38R echo sounder.

F

FA-150: Furuno Class A AIS transponder with integrated DSC receiver and pilot plug.
FA-170: Furuno Class A AIS transponder succeeding the FA-150, with enlarged color display and routed Ethernet output.
FAR-1518: 12 kW X band radar in the Furuno FAR-15x8 series for smaller SOLAS vessels.
FAR-1528: 25 kW X band variant of the Furuno FAR-15x8 series.
FAR-2218: 25 kW X band ARPA radar from Furuno in the FAR-2xx8 chart radar series.
FAR-2228: 25 kW S band variant within the Furuno FAR-2xx8 series.
FAR-2238S: 30 kW S band magnetron radar in the Furuno FAR-2xx8 series.
FAR-2258: 50 kW X band magnetron variant in the Furuno FAR-2xx8 series for larger vessels.
FAR-3000 series: Furuno solid state SOLAS radar family with X band SSD transceivers.
FE-700: Furuno dual frequency 50 and 200 kHz echo sounder type approved for SOLAS use.
Fleet Xpress: Inmarsat Ka-band/L-band hybrid service.
FleetBroadband: Inmarsat L-band IP service in 150, 250 and 500 kbps classes (e.g., FB150, FB250, FB500).
FleetPhone: Inmarsat satellite voice service operating over Inmarsat I-4 spot beams.
Flinders Bar: Vertical soft iron rod fitted forward of the magnetic compass binnacle to correct vertical induced magnetism.
FMD-3100: Compact ECDIS from Furuno targeting smaller SOLAS vessels.
FMD-3200: Furuno ECDIS with 19 inch portrait or landscape display.
FMD-3300: Furuno ECDIS with 23 inch display for primary navigation use.
Fog Horn: Audible signal device required by COLREG Annex III for vessels above prescribed lengths.
Furuno Electric: Japanese marine electronics maker founded in 1948 in Nishinomiya, producing the first practical commercial fish finder and a full bridge equipment line.

G

Garmin GMR Fantom: Solid state pulse compression radar from Garmin for the recreational and light commercial market.
Gill WindSonic: Ultrasonic anemometer from Gill Instruments widely used as a marine wind sensor.
GLONASS: Russian GNSS constellation.
GMDSS: Global Maritime Distress and Safety System under SOLAS Chapter IV.
GNSS Compass: Heading sensor that derives heading from multiple GNSS antennas using carrier phase processing.
GP-170: Furuno IMO type approved GNSS receiver for SOLAS bridges.
GP-39: Furuno non SOLAS GPS receiver used on smaller craft.
Great circle: Circle on a sphere passing through the center.
Gyrocompass: Heading reference required by SOLAS Chapter V.

H

Halo 20+: Simrad solid state pulse compression radar for the recreational and light commercial market.
Halo 2006: 6 foot open array solid state radar from Simrad Yachting.
Halo 24: Simrad 24 inch dome solid state radar with 60 RPM bird mode.
Halo 3006: 6 foot open array solid state radar with higher transmit power from Simrad.
HCS: Heading Control System, the IMO term for an autopilot governed by IMO Resolution MSC.64(67) Annex 3.
HDG: NMEA sentence transmitting magnetic heading with deviation and variation.
HDM: NMEA sentence transmitting magnetic heading from a magnetic compass.
HDT: NMEA sentence transmitting true heading from a gyrocompass or GNSS compass.
HiPAP: Sonar-based position reference on DP FSRUs and shuttle LNGCs.
HRU: Hydrostatic Release Unit releasing the float free EPIRB at depth.

I

IBS: Lloyd's Register Integrated Bridge System notation.
IEC 60945: Maritime navigation and radiocommunication equipment general requirements standard.
IEC 61162: Digital interface standard for marine electronics (NMEA 0183 family).
IEC 61162-450: Ethernet-based marine network standard.
IEC 61174: ECDIS performance test standard implementing IMO Resolution MSC.232(82).
IEC 62065: Track Control System performance standard.
IEC 62388: Shipborne radar performance test standard.
IEC 62616: BNWAS performance test standard.
IEC 62923: BAM performance test standard, parts 1 and 2.
IHO S-100: Universal Hydrographic Data Model.
IHO S-101: Next-generation ENC specification.
IHO S-102: Bathymetric Surface product specification.
IHO S-104: Water Level Information product spec.
IHO S-111: Surface Currents product spec.
IHO S-122: Marine Protected Areas product specification.
IHO S-124: Navigational Warnings product specification.
IHO S-52: Specifications for chart content and display aspects of ECDIS.
IHO S-57: ENC product specification, edition 3.1.
IHO S-63: Data Protection Scheme for encrypted ENCs.
IMO MSC.128(75): Resolution adopting performance standards for BNWAS.
IMO MSC.232(82): Resolution adopting revised performance standards for ECDIS.
IMO MSC.252(83): Resolution adopting revised performance standards for Integrated Navigation Systems.
IMO MSC.302(87): Resolution adopting performance standards for Bridge Alert Management.
IMO MSC.401(95): Resolution adopting performance standards for multi system shipborne radionavigation receivers.
IMO MSC.86(70): Resolution establishing performance standards for shipborne AIS.
IMO Resolution A.424(XI): Performance standards for gyrocompasses adopted in 1979.
IMO Resolution A.823(19): Performance standards for ARPA.
Inmarsat C: Polling/EGC/SafetyNET service in GMDSS.
Inmarsat Mini-C: Smaller-antenna variant of Inmarsat C used widely for distress, safety, and tracking.
INS: Integrated Navigation System per IMO Resolution MSC.252(83) Annex 1.
Iridium Certus: L-band satellite broadband service (GMDSS-recognized 2020).
Iridium GO Exec: Portable Iridium Certus 100 terminal for low data rate connectivity.
Iridium Pilot: Maritime terminal based on OpenPort, also withdrawn in 2018.

J

JAN-2000: Recent JRC ECDIS model in the JAN line.
JAN-7201: JRC ECDIS in the JAN-7000 family approved to IMO Resolution MSC.232(82).
JAN-901B: JRC ECDIS model fitted aboard many merchant vessels in the 2010s.
JAN-9201: JRC ECDIS in the JAN-9000 family with 26 inch display option.
JCY-1900: JRC voyage data recorder and simplified VDR family.
JLR series: JRC GNSS receivers and compasses covering positioning and heading needs.
JLR-21: JRC GPS compass providing heading by carrier phase processing.
JLR-9000: JRC GNSS compass and positioning sensor.
JMA-712: JRC X band magnetron radar in the 712 series.
JMA-9100: JRC chart radar in the JMA-9100 series with 12 to 25 kW transceivers.
JMA-9132: 25 kW X band variant within the JRC JMA-9100 chart radar series.
JMA-9300: JRC S band chart radar with 30 kW transmitter.
JMR-9100: JRC SOLAS chart radar series replacing the JMA-9000 line.
JMR-9200: JRC S band radar variant within the JMR-9000 family.
JRC: Japan Radio Co., manufacturer of MF/HF, Inmarsat C and AIS equipment.
JUE-501: JRC Inmarsat C and Mini C terminal for GMDSS messaging.
JUE-87: JRC Inmarsat FleetBroadband terminal.

K

K-Bridge: Kongsberg integrated bridge system.
K-Chief: Kongsberg integrated automation system family for merchant and offshore vessels.
K-Master: Kongsberg integrated maneuvering and conning workstation.
K-Pos DP: Kongsberg dynamic positioning system available in DP-1, DP-2, and DP-3 configurations.
Kelvin Spheres: Iron correctors mounted port and starboard of a magnetic compass binnacle to correct quadrantal deviation.
Kongsberg Maritime: Norwegian supplier of bridge, automation and dynamic positioning systems.
Kongsberg Simrad: Kongsberg division supplying commercial fishing and small craft echo sounders and sonars.

L

Leonardo Sperry Marine: Current ownership of the Sperry Marine product line following Leonardo's acquisition from Northrop Grumman in 2017.
Litton Marine Systems: Historical owner of Sperry Marine before acquisition by Northrop Grumman in 2001.
LRIT: Long-Range Identification and Tracking, required by SOLAS V/19-1 since 31 December 2008.
LRIT Conformance Test Report: Certificate issued by a designated test ASP confirming that a shipborne LRIT equipment meets the required performance.
Lyngsø Marine: Danish bridge automation company whose product line was folded into SAM Electronics and subsequently Wartsila Voyage Solutions.

M

Magnetic compass: Standard magnetic compass per ISO 449.
Magnetic Compass Repeater: Bridge wing repeater displaying the standard magnetic compass reading via optical or electronic transmission.
Marlink Sealink: Marlink VSAT service brand covering Ku-band and Ka-band offerings.
MARPA: Mini ARPA, a small craft target tracking function found on leisure radars.
MED: Medical Care, STCW VI/4 paragraph 2.
MM-950: Sperry Marine magnetic compass and binnacle assembly.
MultiPilot 1100: SAM Electronics multi function display combining radar, ECDIS, and conning within NACOS Platinum.

N

NACOS: Wartsila navigation, automation, and control system suite.
NACOS Platinum: Wartsila SAM Electronics integrated bridge and automation platform.
Navi-Conning: Transas conning information display within the Navi-Sailor bridge.
Navi-Planner: Transas voyage planning workstation that interoperates with Navi-Sailor.
Navi-Radar 4000: Transas radar in the Navi-Sailor 4000 bridge family.
Navi-Sailor 3000: Earlier Transas ECDIS platform widely fitted in the 2000s.
Navi-Sailor 4000: Transas ECDIS platform that succeeded the 3000 series and continues under Wartsila Voyage.
Navico Group: United States parent of Lowrance, B&G, Simrad Yachting, and C-MAP, focused on recreational and light commercial markets.
NAVIGAT 3000: Sperry Marine gyrocompass with mechanical sensitive element.
NAVIGAT X MK2: Sperry Marine fiber optic gyrocompass with no spinning mass.
NaviGuide: Sperry Marine gyrocompass product line within VisionMaster FT.
NaviKnot: Sperry Marine speed log product line.
NaviPilot 4000: Sperry Marine autopilot with adaptive heading and track control.
NaviRadar: Sperry Marine radar platform integrated with VisionMaster FT.
NavNet TZtouch3: Furuno multifunction display platform for the recreational and light commercial market.
NAVTEX: GMDSS broadcast service under SOLAS IV.
NCM-1900: JRC integrated bridge alert and conning console.
NCR-300: JRC NAVTEX receiver for SOLAS vessels.
NCR-333: Successor JRC NAVTEX receiver with color display.
NMEA 0183: Marine electronics serial data standard.
NMEA 2000: CAN-based marine data network.
Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine: Ownership period of the Sperry Marine line between 2001 and 2017.
NX-300: Furuno NAVTEX receiver in the NX-300 series.
NX-700: Furuno NAVTEX receiver with integrated printer.

O

Off Course Alarm: HCS function alerting the watch when actual heading deviates from the set heading beyond a configurable threshold.
Open Bridge: Kongsberg led design philosophy promoting consistent operator interfaces across bridge equipment.

P

PathFinder ST: Raytheon Anschutz X band and S band radar in the SYNAPSIS NX bridge.
Pilotstar NX: Raytheon Anschutz autopilot integrated within SYNAPSIS NX.
Pitometer Log: Traditional pressure based speed log using a tube projecting from the hull.
PLATH GP: Course recorder produced by C. Plath of Hamburg.
Plath Hamburg: Historical maker of sextants and magnetic compasses, brand continued under Cassens and Plath.
PLB: Personal Locator Beacon transmitting on 406 MHz Cospas-Sarsat; not GMDSS equipment.

R

R4 AIS: Saab Transponder Tech AIS Class A and AtoN transponder family.
R5 SOLAS: Saab AIS Class A transponder approved for SOLAS use.
R5 Supreme: Saab AIS Class A SOTDMA transponder with combined GNSS and navigation interface.
RadarPilot 1100: SAM Electronics radar workstation within NACOS Platinum.
Rate of Turn Indicator: Bridge instrument displaying angular rate of heading change, specified by IMO Resolution A.526(13).
Raytheon Anschutz: Kiel based manufacturer of gyrocompasses, autopilots, and integrated navigation systems, founded in 1905 by Hermann Anschutz Kaempfe.
RC-1825: Furuno NMEA and GMDSS console interface for FAR series radars and integrated bridge consoles.
Repeater compass: Remote indicator driven by the master gyrocompass.
RM Young 5106: Mechanical marine anemometer from R. M. Young Company widely used as a wind sensor.
ROTI: Rate of Turn Indicator, IMO mandated for ships of 50,000 GT and above by SOLAS V/19.
Rudder angle indicator: Bridge display showing rudder position.

S

SAILOR: Cobham SATCOM maritime product family that includes the SAILOR 600, 900, and 100 GX terminals.
Sam Electronics: Hamburg-based supplier of marine bridge systems and switchboards, now part of Wartsila SAM Electronics.
SART: Search and Rescue Transponder, with the AIS SART variant transmitting on AIS frequencies.
Saura Keiki: Japanese magnetic compass and sextant manufacturer historically supplying domestic merchant fleets.
SBP: Sub Bottom Profiler, an acoustic device that images sediment layers below the seabed, supplied by Kongsberg and others.
SC-130: Furuno satellite compass for SOLAS vessels with redundant GNSS sensors.
SC-50: Furuno satellite compass providing heading by GNSS carrier phase processing.
SC-70: Furuno satellite compass succeeding the SC-50 with improved accuracy.
SeaPath: Kongsberg GNSS aided inertial navigation product line.
Sextant: Marine sextant with vernier or micrometer.
Simrad Halo: Simrad solid state pulse compression radar family.
Simrad Yachting: Navico Group brand for recreational and light commercial bridge electronics.
SOTDMA: Self-Organized Time Division Multiple Access scheme used by Class A AIS.
Sperry Marine: Historic United States gyrocompass maker, currently part of Leonardo, supplying VisionMaster FT and NAVIGAT products.
SSAS: Ship Security Alert System mandated by SOLAS XI-2/6.
Standard 22 NX: Network ready evolution of the Raytheon Anschutz Standard 22 gyrocompass.
Stockholm Plath: Magnetic compass and binnacle brand associated with Plath of Hamburg's Scandinavian distribution.
SVDR: Simplified Voyage Data Recorder for cargo ships built before 1 July 2002, performance standard in IMO Resolution MSC.163(78).
SYNAPSIS NX: Raytheon Anschutz integrated navigation system with modular multi function displays.

T

Tamaya: Tokyo based historical sextant and magnetic compass manufacturer, the Tamaya MS-833 sextant being a common bridge instrument.