Type Approval for ORCA Pilot G2 Portable Pilot Unit
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Type Approval for ORCA Pilot G2 Portable Pilot Unit

DNV GL has developed an industry standard for the type approval of Portable Pilot Units (PPUs) to allow ports, terminal operators and pilot organisations to assure a minimum standard in the selection process of their equipment. Manufacturers of navigation equipment can test their products against this standard. The ORCA Pilot G2 unit, created by SevenCs, Germany, is the first product worldwide to achieve compliance.

The Type Approval for PPUs was developed in summer 2015. DNV GL’s dedicated testing programme is based on the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS), according to Sven Dudszus, head of Business & Production Management at DNV GL. Before, pilot software was not meant to be compliant with any criteria. However, what is good for ships in preventing groundings cannot be bad for pilots navigating in the most challenging environments, is the reasoning of SevenCs’ Marius Herzig.

A PPU is a mobile computer-based system that a pilot can use as a decision support tool for navigating in confined waters. It displays a vessel’s position and movement in real time and provides more information about the location and movement of other vessels using data from AIS (Automatic Identification System). The latest PPUs can also be utilised to access more information about ice coverage, soundings/depth contours from recent hydro surveys, dynamic water levels and security zones.

SevenCs decided to apply for this certificate because of its long-term experience in developing type approved navigation software. It also helps customers to guarantee quality and safety towards their regulating authorities. The uniformity of PPU and on-board navigation equipment can be fostered to avoid misunderstandings between masters and pilots.

 

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