Disabling waypoint acknowledgment when following a route

[Chuck - Raymarine - Moderator]

Disabling waypoint acknowledgment when following a route

The LightHouse v11.26 software update for the a/c/e/gS-Series MFDs included significant enhancements to alarm management. Among these was the ability to disable the Waypoint arrival alarm when not using an autopilot. The command sequence is HOME->SET-UP->ALARMS->SAFETY ALARMS->WAYPOINT ARRIVAL. Disabling the waypoint arrival alarm permits the operator to view waypoint range, bearing, and information associated with the destination information when following a route, but not have to view/respond to waypoint arrival alarms.

However, out of concern for safety and liability, Raymarine autopilot and chartplotting products require that
- the operator be notified of waypoint arrival, and
- that the operator be notified of the a course to be steered prior having the autopilot turn the vessel onto the new course, and
- that the operator acknowledge the new course to steered
to ensure that the course change will not create a collision risk. Route planning only takes into account fixed hazards to navigation (i.e. underwater obstructions, navaids, above water structures, land, etc.). Route planning cannot account dynamic hazards to navigation (other vessels, objects floating in the water, etc.).

Maritime law requires that a proper lookout and control of the vessel be maintained at all times when underway to prevent collisions. Should it be unsafe to execute the turn at a waypoint due of risk of collision with another vessel, hazard, etc., then it would be the vessel operator's responsibility to:
- ensure that it was safe to continue on the present course (i.e. execute the turn at a after clearing the hazard), or
- command the autopilot into Standby mode and take the helm to manually steer around the hazard, or
- slow or stop the vessel until such time as it will be safe to execute the turn.

Should one have a differing viewpoint on this subject, then it is recommended that the USCG or other local marine authority be consulted on this subject. Until such time as integrated collision avoidance products for the recreational marine market achieve and/or exceed the capabilities of driverless automobiles which are now being introduced, the acknowledgements specified within this thread will remain within Raymarine's products. It is Raymarine's position that no amount of route planning can determine in advance the risks of collision which may be present with dynamic hazards to navigation when underway at some time in the future. It is only through maintenance of a proper lookout that one may assess whether risk of collision with another vessel, debris, etc. exists prior to execution of a turn.

It is further not recommended that an autopilot's AUTO or TRACK modes be activated when operating in close proximity to other vessels, obstructions, narrow waterways, etc. which may result in risk of collision or grounding.

RAYFAQ#