Limiting navigation and hydrographic factors of autumn-spring navigation on inland waterways when using ECDIS

The study is focused on the development of methods for the practical application of electronic cartography aimed at reducing the limiting influence of navigational and hydrographic factors during the autumn–spring navigation period on inland waterways. Navigational and hydrographic factors are considered as a set of data describing waterway conditions that are used to ensure navigation support and vessel passage. It is noted that the main navigational hazards on inland waterways are isobaths, which restrict navigable areas and are represented on navigation charts and by floating aids to navigation. The practical use of navigational and hydrographic data is based on visual positioning through comparison of charted navigational aids with their actual positions observed from the navigation bridge. The complexity of navigation conditions during the autumn–spring period is caused by water level variations, channel processes, and ice phenomena, which significantly complicate navigation compared to the main navigation season. Although modern hydrographic technologies provide high-accuracy spatial data with sufficient discreteness, an equally important task is the presentation of navigational and hydrographic information in a form suitable for practical use. The article examines the use of existing and modified electronic chart functions, including ECDIS, to provide navigators with sufficient navigational information and to mitigate the limiting influence of navigational and hydrographic factors. It is emphasized that the application of electronic cartography enables effective solutions for ensuring navigation safety during the autumn–spring navigation period; however, this requires further investigation of functional capabilities and, where necessary, their targeted modification to improve the performance of navigation support tasks.