Leading chart manufacturers support PC Maritime with the promotion of its important Navmaster ECDIS for Training system

In April this year PC Maritime, a member of the Charente Group, launched Navmaster ECDIS for Training, a simple-to-use system designed to deliver training in the operational use of ECDIS on standard PCs and computer networks. The company has since sold a number of systems to training establishments around the world and is currently discussing further potential deals as the impetus to provide such training intensifies.

Now, PC Maritime's sales efforts have been boosted by agreements it has reached with two major chart manufacturers, Jeppesen Marine (formerly C-Map) and the UK Hydrographic Office. Both are supporting PC Maritime's training initiative by supplying official ENC charts at 50% discount and their own format charts free of charge, in order for any gaps in ENC coverage to be filled.

Jeppesen Marine is offering a vector-vector solution by giving 50% discount on CM-ENC SENC charts, with the option of additional C-Map CM93/3 charts completely free. The UK Hydrographic Office is offering a vector-raster solution by providing S57 ENC charts at 50% discount, with its ARCS raster charts free of charge. For those organisations wishing to take advantage of these offers, the only condition laid down by the chart manufacturers is that the training being carried out must conform to STCW95 standards.

Navmaster ECDIS for Training allows users such as marine colleges or in-house trainers to enhance navigational safety by teaching the safe operation of ECDIS equipment, the proper use of various types of ECDIS-related information as well as knowledge of the capabilities and, equally crucial, the limitations of ECDIS. The system is straightforward to install and operate.

One of the key benefits of Navmaster ECDIS for Training is that network installation allows classes of many students to be taken at once. It is also type-approved, up-to-date with all current regulations and supports the full range of official chart formats - ENC, CM-ENC, ARCS and BSB. It provides excellent route management and planning tools and actual voyage data can be replayed. It can also be interfaced to NMEA simulator programs and connected to actual bridge instruments such as GPS, gyro, speed log, ARPA and AIS.

Since its launch, three large Navmaster ECDIS for Training networks have been installed. Dalian University in China has a 31-user system in operation while the Maritime Institute Willem Barentsz in the Netherlands now has a 30-user system in operation. In Indonesia, the national oil and gas company Pertamina has installed a 13-user system in its in-house training facility. Smaller networks have also been provided to training establishments in India and Italy.

Note to editors:

PC Maritime is a leading UK developer and supplier of software, electronic charts and associated hardware to marine markets worldwide. Its products include electronic navigation systems, navigation and engine room training simulators and electronic charts. Founded in 1987, PC Maritime is part of the Charente Group.

For more information on PC Maritime and its range of products, please browse our website.

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