Understanding ENCs: A guide to symbols and abbreviations in ECDIS

Digital navigation allows today’s mariners to navigate and dock vessels with even greater confidence and precision than ever before.

With the use of Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS), seafarers can navigate in real time using Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) from official services such as ADMIRALTY Vector Chart Service (AVCS).

When navigating with ECDIS, it’s important that mariners are confident in interpreting ENC symbology and how it relates to the area in which they’re operating. Below you can find information on how ENC symbols are displayed on ECDIS and useful resources to help you understand the symbols and abbreviations used in these charts. 

The IHO S-52 Presentation Library contains instructions to ECDIS manufacturers for the ‘drawing engine’ within the ECDIS on how to display symbols, colours and line styles on the screen. For example, this could include the size and shape of particular symbols the mariner sees on their ENC.

It is essential for all users to make sure their ECDIS is using the latest Presentation Library to remain SOLAS-compliant. This ensures that all ENC symbols are appearing accurately and consistently on screen.

ECDIS Chart 1 is a legend of the entire set of symbols that may be used within an ENC and is installed on all type-approved ECDIS systems. For a graphical way to establish whether your ECDIS is up to date, the mariner can use ECDIS Chart 1 to review the new symbols introduced in IHO S-52 Presentation Library Edition 4.0.

We’ve made available a number of guides to help you understand both the traditional and simplified forms of ENC symbols displayed in ECDIS. These are available as paper publications and as ADMIRALTY e-Nautical Publications:

• ADMIRALTY Guide to ENC Symbols used in ECDIS (NP5012) 

NP 5012 offers detailed explanations and descriptions of both traditional and simplified forms of ENC symbols displayed in ECDIS, ensuring bridge crews possess the knowledge needed to navigate safely.

• Symbols and Abbreviations used on ADMIRALTY Paper Charts (NP5011) 

NP 5011 can also be useful if you need to cross reference ENC symbols to the equivalent paper chart symbol.

As Head of Technical Partnerships, Tom leads the UKHO’s collaboration with technical partners including Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to enable the development of e-navigation products and S-100 solutions for Electronic Chart and Information Display Systems (ECDIS). Tom works at the forefront of the latest ‘next generation’ navigation technologies to support the implementation of new standards that can help improve safety, efficiency and optimisation.