Germany tests digital navigation system to reduce vessel grounding risks

November 4 ------ Germany’s Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) has tested a digital navigation system that integrates real-time water level data into nautical charts to identify areas where water depths are insufficient for a vessel, potentially reducing the risk of groundings in navigational channels.

The trial was conducted aboard the hydrographic survey, wreck search and research vessel Deneb as part of the Baltic Sea e-Nav project, using a simulated storm surge to demonstrate how changing water levels could affect navigational safety.

During the test, current water level information was integrated directly into a digital nautical chart, allowing the system to identify and mark “no-go areas” where available water depth was insufficient for the vessel concerned. The technology could be particularly valuable in narrow channels and other restricted waters, where fluctuations in water levels can significantly affect under-keel clearance.

International standards for digital navigation

The development highlights the growing role of digital hydrographic data in improving maritime safety. For such systems to operate effectively across national borders, internationally harmonized technical standards are essential.

The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), of which the BSH has been a member for 100 years, coordinates the development and maintenance of these standards. One key framework is the IHO’s S-100 standard, which enables different types of maritime information, including bathymetry, water levels and currents, to be integrated into digital navigation systems.

Through the Baltic Sea e-Nav project, seven hydrographic services from the Baltic Sea region have agreed on common recommendations for S-100 products. These include specifications for a standardized vertical reference datum for depth measurements and the spatial resolution of data, helping ensure consistency and interoperability between national systems. BSH President Helge Heegewaldt stressed the importance of international collaboration, noting that maritime challenges require coordinated efforts across countries.

Hydrographic data supports wider maritime operations

Beyond navigation, the BSH’s hydrographic data supports offshore wind farm planning, marine environmental protection and oceanographic research.

The agency’s research vessel Deneb, a 52-metre vessel commissioned in 1994, is one of three research ships operated by the BSH. A replacement vessel of the same name, powered by methanol, is planned for delivery in 2030. The wider adoption of standardized digital hydrographic products could improve access to reliable maritime information, helping ship operators respond to changing sea conditions while supporting safer and more efficient navigation.

Source: safety4sea.com