The growth can be attributed to two factors - the legislative environment and a more practical and reasoned approach to electronic charts within the industry. In 2000, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) adopted SOLAS Chapter V which identifies ECDIS as a possible means of navigation as long as there is a back-up system and a database of automatically-updated, official electronic charts (ENC). In such instances it is not necessary to have paper charts onboard. The International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) provides more specific guidelines regarding the content and display of ECDIS. In November 1996, it issued S-57 Edition 3.0, followed by a minor new edition (3.1) in November 2000. The most significant new feature introduced with Ed. 3.0/3.1 is the updating mechanism which allows the up-dating to be by means of sequential update files, of relatively small size, containing change instructions.
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