Alternative routes in TECDIS allow for significant savings

TECDIS has new functionality for easy handling of alternative routes. When conditions allow it, the navigator can safely and quickly choose a shorter route, which can contribute to significant energy savings. The navigator receives an alert on the screen when the vessel approaches a route point where alternative routes to route end point are available. The best option can be selected and confirmed with function buttons on the TECDIS armrest panel.

SAFE AND EFFECTIVE ROUTE CHANGE ALONG THE WAY

The TECDIS alternative routes functions are particularly well adapted to the needs of high-speed passenger vessels. Their sailings have the distinctive feature that the routes for various reasons change along the way, often at short notice. Many ports are only approached on demand, and conditions such as weather and visibility, as well as local maritime traffic, may require changes to the planned route.

For the navigator, it is important to be able to handle such route changes in a safe and effective manner, with as little as possible distracts from other navigation tasks. Alternative routes in TECDIS are a set of functions that meet this need. The planned route is activated as usual, before departure, and along the way the route alternatives are automatically presented in due time before any waypoint from where there are alternatives for the remaining route.

The functions require that all route options are stored in TECDIS's route library, which means that all route alternatives are already checked and verified.

Alternative routes are a set of new TECDIS functions that allow the navigator to change route safely and quickly, while sailing. The preferred route alternative is easily selected and automatically activated using the function keys on the TECDIS armrest panel FK2020.

CONTROL WITH ETA CONTRIBUTES TO ENERGY SAVINGS

TECDIS monitors and presents ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) for each port call and for the complete route up against the timetable or voyage plan. When activating an alternate route, TECDIS recalculates ETA for all upcoming port calls. The navigator can thus easily see whether the route change provides an opportunity to relax the levers and thus obtain an economic gain in fuel savings or other forms of energy savings.

Norled, one of Norway's largest ferry and high-speed vessel companies, has been an important premise provider and has contributed with valuable insight into the needs behind the new route functions in TECDIS. - For high-speed boats in passenger traffic, the routes often change along the way. New functionality for alternative routes contributes to safe sailing and the possibility of significant savings in energy consumption, says Dag Aksland, chief officer on board Norled's high-speed catamaran MS Admiralen.

For high-speed boats in passenger traffic, the routes often change along the way. New functionality for alternative routes contributes to safe sailing and the possibility of significant savings in energy consumption.

Dag Aksland, chief officer on board MS Admiralen, Norled.

FK2020 ARMREST PANEL MAKES OPERATION SAFE AND EFFECTIVE

TECDIS armrest panel FK2020 has function keys for quick and safe selection and activation of alternative routes.

A main route will often have several waypoints from where alternative routes are possible, depending on port calls. New functionality in TECDIS automatically presents these options on the chart display. With the TECDIS armrest panel FK2020, the desired option can easily be selected. The route alternative is then immediately activated.