The latest version of Rose Point ECS is 4.0.24310.113

This update fixes an issue that prevented voyage recordings from being retrieved via the portal.

This is a maintenance update that includes various bug fixes and performance enhancements. Notable changes include:

New Features

• Fleet Services: Cloud-Synchronized Background Layers
• Fleet Services: Ship’s Logs
• Fleet Services: Raster chart display may be disabled with Fleet Settings

Other Changes

• Horizontal clearances on IENC are now converted from meters to selected unit
• Adapted to more changes NOAA has made to river stage data

Fixes

• Reinstated charts would show as cancelled if they were made visible manually

This update fixes two issues introduced in the previous update:

• The message about Rose Point ECS and the AIS using a different vessel size or type would not go away
• Some destination were not encoded for AIS correctly resulting in either “XX XXXX” or “?? ????”

This is a maintenance update that includes various bug fixes and performance enhancements.

New Features

• Added a depth sounder mounting offset option
• Added a line ahead of the triangle for type 52 and 57 AIS targets to indicate towboats

Other Changes

• Use HTTPS for all web access
• Adapted to changes NOAA made to the NDBC observation data
• Adapted to changes NOAA is making to river stage data
• Removed optional gazetteers outside the US because of changes at NGA
• The link to the USACE IENC “Report a Problem” page has been updated
• The Delete Barge button now works on high-DPI screens
• Fixed a potential crash when other software or devices send bogus SSDP reflections on the network

This update fixes a potential crash when configuring an NMEA 0183 Communication Port as well as a performance issue on some systems that were introduced with the 4.0.22340 update. The rest of these release notes are from that update.

When using an Automatic River Route in the Voyage Plan > Depart page, it is now possible to add another destination. This can be used either to create a multi-stop route, or to select a route other than the shortest possible route (such as when it is desirable to pass an island on the side opposite the one Rose Point ECS selects). For this update it is possible to add a
number of additional destinations, but only to the end of the route. And once added, destinations may not be changed or removed. We will make this more flexible in a future update.

This update replaces the NMEA 0183 sentence filtering feature with filters that include the talker identifier (the first two letters of the sentence). This allows sentences from particular devices to be filtered when a port has more than one of the same type of device as long as the devices have different talker identifiers. Since the old filter feature is being replaced with this new one, any filter configurations you might have made will need to be reapplied.

Changes

• Allow additional destinations to be added to Automatic River Routes.
• The Low Water Reference Plane datum has been added as an option when importing XYZ survey files.
• New talker-id-based NMEA 0183 Sentence Filter
• Indicate when a route leg has a discontinued current station attached in Route Details.
• Always draw IENC on top of ENC (in order to provide a better display where USACE and NOAA charts overlap).
• Tips for navigation objects will now show the name of the layer containing the object.
• Include information about Zones of Confidence in the help window.
• Added a new UDP Events mechanism which can broadcast position and other sensor information on the LAN.
• Indicate when the current layer is in a read-only file at the top of the Layers page.

Fixes

• Fixed a problem with the current-based ETA calculations where some legs would show much longer transit times than they should have.
• Hide and mark cancelled Canadian charts.
• Fixed a potential crash at startup when setting the vector chart day colors with Fleet Settings.
• Fixed the datum label on Canadian tide graphs.
• Removed non-functioning Add New Place button from the Places browser.
• Route Details would not show date transition on last leg.
• Various minor issues with the new Layers browser and the ability to use multiple documents.
• Fixed a rounding error when displaying some fractional soundings using meters.
• Fixed a problem where a stack of “Save As” windows could pop up when automatically saving over a read-only file.
• Prevent access to sensor settings when the Electronics area is locked by an administrator.
• Fixed problems caused by including marks from one layer in routes of another layer.

This update fixes a performance issue on some systems that was introduced with yesterday’s update (4.0.22340). The rest of these release notes are from that update.

When using an Automatic River Route in the Voyage Plan > Depart page, it is now possible to add another destination. This can be used either to create a multi-stop route, or to select a route other than the shortest possible route (such as when it is desirable to pass an island on the side opposite the one Rose Point ECS selects). For this update it is possible to add a
number of additional destinations, but only to the end of the route. And once added, destinations may not be changed or removed. We will make this more flexible in a future update.

This update replaces the NMEA 0183 sentence filtering feature with filters that include the talker identifier (the first two letters of the sentence). This allows sentences from particular devices to be filtered when a port has more than one of the same type of device as long as the devices have different talker identifiers. Since the old filter feature is being replaced with this new one, any filter configurations you might have made will need to be reapplied.

Changes

• Allow additional destinations to be added to Automatic River Routes.
• The Low Water Reference Plane datum has been added as an option when importing XYZ survey files.
• New talker-id-based NMEA 0183 Sentence Filter
• Indicate when a route leg has a discontinued current station attached in Route Details.
• Always draw IENC on top of ENC (in order to provide a better display where USACE and NOAA charts overlap).
• Tips for navigation objects will now show the name of the layer containing the object.
• Include information about Zones of Confidence in the help window.
• Added a new UDP Events mechanism which can broadcast position and other sensor information on the LAN.
• Indicate when the current layer is in a read-only file at the top of the Layers page.

Fixes

• Fixed a problem with the current-based ETA calculations where some legs would show much longer transit times than they should have.
• Hide and mark cancelled Canadian charts.
• Fixed a potential crash at startup when setting the vector chart day colors with Fleet Settings.
• Fixed the datum label on Canadian tide graphs.
• Removed non-functioning Add New Place button from the Places browser.
• Route Details would not show date transition on last leg.
• Various minor issues with the new Layers browser and the ability to use multiple documents.
• Fixed a rounding error when displaying some fractional soundings using meters.
• Fixed a problem where a stack of “Save As” windows could pop up when automatically saving over a read-only file.
• Prevent access to sensor settings when the Electronics area is locked by an administrator.
• Fixed problems caused by including marks from one layer in routes of another layer.

This update fixes a potential crash when using the rate-of-turn predictor along with the Small, Medium, or Large vessel icons. We’ve also added a new Search-and-Rescue route generator which can be accessed at Voyage Plan > Routes > Add Route > SAR Pattern.

This update fixes a performance problem when loading extremely large Voyage Plan Document files that was caused by the previous update.

This update fixes a problem at startup when using the old-style of background layers.

This update makes it easier for you to get to your Voyage Plan Document (*.NOB) files by moving them to their own browser. The new Layers browser replaces the old “Voyage Plan > Files” page and adds the ability to show more than one Voyage Plan Document at a time. The Layers page lists all of the Voyage Plan Documents found on your Desktop and in your Documents folder as well as recently used documents in other locations. If you have Fleet Services, this page will also show any Fleet Layers that have been configured. You can click on any document listed to open it just as before. However, switches to the right of each layer let you also show additional layers. You can edit any visible document without needing to make it the “current” (open) layer, but new navigation objects you create will be stored in the currently selected layer.

We’ve added a new “Automatic” own-ship symbol style that improves consistency of the own-ship display. When this symbol is selected, the own-ship will always be drawn as a fixed-size arrowhead. The arrowhead will appear on top of a semi-transparent scaled representation of the vessel and any configured tow. This new style allows the own-ship to look the same regardless of the chart viewing scale and improves your ability to see other objects on the chart that are close to your vessel.

We made a similar change to how AIS targets are displayed. Targets will now always show a triangle symbol on top of a semi-transparent scaled representation. In addition, tow-boats (AIS types 52 and 57) are now rectangles when drawn to scale to better represent the area they are occupying.

We’ve also streamlined the process of creating routes from the +New menu by bypassing the Add Route page, and brought back the Instant Route command.

Changes

• Added the new Layers browser
• Changed +Add > Route to bypass the Add Route page (like Quick Route)
• Replaced Quick Route with Instant Route for creating a route from your current location to a single waypoint
• Increased the number of navigation objects shown in various lists to reduce the number of pages needed
• Include any Layover Time from the first waypoint of a route in the ETA calculations
• Added “Settings > Chart Display > Vector Charts > Show accuracy and quality of data” to overlay survey information on ENC.
• Added a new “Automatic” vessel symbol option to “Settings > Chart Display > Own-Ship Display > Symbol”
• Added an option to change the own-ship symbol to red when the chart is overscaled
• Updated how AIS targets are drawn to scale
• Show the size of AIS targets in their tips
• Added the ability for fleet layers to be locked visible

Fixes

• Fixed some issues relating to the type of a mark when it is included or removed from a route
• Fixed some text weather forecast zones that were inaccessible due to overlapping zones
• Enabled text weather forecast zones for Western Mexico
• Disable Cut on objects that are part of a fleet layer
• Fixed problems caused by having two Nemo Gateways on the network
• Fixed a problem with setting priorities between GPS and magnetic heading sensors

This update increases a limit on the size of voyage recordings that can be downloaded from vessels as some vessels operating in congested areas were unable to use this feature.

We also fixed a problem that could cause an AIS to be configured with a wider than necessary beam when adjusting the broadcast size to include a tow.

Changes

• Made starting a new track optional when departing
• Added the ability to download voyage recordings to Fleet Services

Fixes

• Show ATB vessels with non-scaled symbol when scaled symbol would be too small
• Fixed a problem dealing with proprietary NMEA 0183 sentences with formatters that match standard sentences
• Fixed an issue that prevented some Canadian chart updates from installing automatically
• Fixed an issue where changes to some depth options would not always work after restarting the program

This update fixes an issue where the own-ship symbol would blink for ATB configurations with some AIS transponders.

This update fixes compatibility problems with the latest Furuno AIS firmware update which now requires a password for updating the vessel size and type information as well as a few other issues.

Changes

• Added an “Update Voyage Info…” option to the AIS Status Panel popup
• Show information about the AIS model and firmware version on the port page when available
• Added several NOAA marine zone forecasts that were not previously available, including the West Coast of Mexico and several US East Coast zones that only provide forecasts under particular circumstances

Fixes

• The wrong overall length was being sent to the AIS for ATB configurations
• Fixed a problem where switching back and forth between vessel types 52 and 57 would not always update the AIS
• Don’t warn about not having a type 57 vessel when selecting an empty tow configuration

This update fixes an issue updating USACE IENC charts.

This update fixes an issue that could lead to an out of memory error after running for a few days.

This update adds several big new features, including ATB Vessel configurations and the ability to purchase Canadian Vector charts. For Services subscribers, we’ve also added a new NTNI viewer and the ability to administer fleet-wide settings and access restrictions.

Our new Rose Point Vector Charts for Canada product unlocks access to all available vector charts for Canadian waters, as well as tide and current predictions and more. It can be purchased by using “Settings > Charts and Add-Ons > Store > Rose Point Vector Charts for Canada”.

Articulated Tug and Barge (ATB) vessels can now be configured in Rose Point ECS with “Settings > Vessel > Change”. When your vessel is configured as an ATB, the “Vessel > Settings” page will let you quickly switch between “light” and “coupled modes which will update the scaled vessel symbol on your chart as well as update your AIS with the new vessel size and type.

Since the USACE has changed the Notices to Navigation Interests (NTNI) website to no longer produce PDF files required by our Navigation Publications update service, we have added a new way of viewing the NTNI that is even better integrated with Rose Point ECS and lets you filter the list of notices to only include the waterway you want to see. Access to the new NTNI viewer is through the same path as before, “Conditions > Notices to Mariners and Other Nav Pubs > US Army Corps of Engineers Notices to Navigation Interests”.

The new Fleet Settings feature allows Fleet Services administrators to set default values for nearly all program options, prevent changes to certain options, and prevent access to certain areas of the program. More details will be available on the Rose Point ECS Portal soon.

Changes

• Added support for ATB Vessel configurations
• Rose Point Vector Charts for Canada are now available
• Update Services: Added an NTNI viewer to Conditions
• Fleet Services: Added Fleet Settings options
• Fleet Services: Include startup events in the tracking log
• Show bridge type (rather than nothing) for unnamed bridges in Automatic River Routes in the Route Monitor
• Show mile marker comments in the Route Monitor when using Automatic River Routes
• Removed the automatic “Look Behind” mode when backing down with “Look Ahead” enabled
• Removed the “AIS Targets” option from the Chart Type menu (you can still hide AIS targets with Settings > AIS)
• Added a limit to how long the search history can get

Miscellaneous Bug Fixes

• Fixed a problem where canceled PRIMAR permits could lead to a charts are out-of-date status
• Fixed a problem where automatic river routes didn’t always start or end as close to the origin or destination as possible
• Fixed a problem where deleting a mile marker from an Automatic River Route in the Router Monitor could crash
• Help did not work when the Properties Panel was open
• Fixed a problem accessing chart catalogs caused by disconnected routers providing sign-in pages rather than an error

Changes:

• Another tweak to the default color of mark text in dusk mode to improve visibility
• Fixed a problem that was making instrument panels wider than they should be on some monitors

Major Change

Rose Point ECS +Inland will now change the AIS vessel type to 57 when a tow is configured and change the vessel type to 52 when no tow is configured as well as adjust the AIS vessel size to include the tow.

This is in accordance with the USCG AIS Encoding Guidelines, but if you are not subject to those guidelines and/or would prefer to manually adjust your AIS transponder, this behavior may be disabled with the “Settings > AIS > Update AIS vessel type and size when tow configuration changes”.

The size information from AIS type 57 vessels is no longer ignored if the +Inland add-on is not installed. This allows ATB (and other) operators to change the size of their type 57 vessel using their AIS and Rose Point ECS will show the new size.

Other Changes

• Updated IENC chart drawing for the new IENC 2.4 standard which the USACE is starting to use.
• Updated to NOAA’s new NEXRAD service since the old one was decommissioned.
• Added an outline around AIS Aid-to-Navigation symbols to make them a bit easier to see.
• Made the passed portion of a river route dimmer in dusk and night modes
• Using “Previous WP” on the first waypoint will no longer deactivate the route
• Using “Follow Vessel” on an AIS target will now activate that target
• Allow locked routes to be reversed
• Added an option to prevent updating the AIS when departing
• Added a way to specify an “unknown” ETA when adjusting AIS info
• Added an option to set an AIS password (pin the port settings page)
• Added an option to hide/show AIS environmental reports
• Added “Settings > Charts and Add-Ons > Store > Guide Books” to install Coast Pilots in the Places browser
• Adjusted mark/annotation text color in night mode

Miscellaneous Bug Fixes

• Route selection highlights were not scaled correctly on high-DPI displays
• Help did not work in the Places Browser
• Help while editing instruments now shows help about instruments rather than Screens
• Fixed a problem where the incorrect LOA was sent to the AIS when a tow configuration overlapped the boat
• Fixed a problem that could lock up the program when an instrument panel was removed
• Fixed a problem with the troubleshooter when using multiple NMEA 0183 Over UDP ports
• Fixed a problem with installing nav pubs from the Charts and Add-Ons Store
• Fixed a problem where the Route Monitor would sometimes stop updating after passing the first item on a river route
• Fixed a problem where the wrong month was displayed in the ETA’s on the AIS info panels
• Fixed a problem where sometimes not all of the legs would appear in printed routes
• Fixed printing of text weather
• Fixed a problem that could cause nav pubs to be deleted when offline and then downloaded again later

Changes

• Fixed problem where AIS Sensor Panel showed own-ship ETA one month late
• Don’t save/restore the cursor tool mode anymore (so people that accidentally select the wrong one can get back to the default easily)
• Handle ChartWorld files with names like *.prm.zip and *.s63.zip (in addition to *.zip.prm and *.zip.s63)
• Mark text with the default color will now be drawn as gray in dusk and night modes
• Fixed a problem where printing some routes would not show all of the legs
• Fixed a problem where changing days on a tide/current page didn’t scroll the graph or update the daily events
• Fixed problem where changing the waypoint style would not immediately recalculate the total route length
• Made the instrument panel edit mode button toggle editing mode rather than just starting it
• Fixed a problem where AIS heading offsets set prior to V4 were still being used
• Fixed a problem handling changes to chart boundaries
• Added the ability to prevent automatic AIS updates during departure
• Fleet Services: Fixed problem with uploading large amounts of accumulated tracking data

Changes

• Hide AIS vessels reporting N/A position (rather than showing them at 0 N 0 E)
• Fixed problem where Nav Pubs were sometimes inaccessible when offline at startup
• Fixed crash when cancelling the creation of a RBL that shares its first mark with another RBL
• Don’t delete pre-existing mark when cancelling the creation of a RBL that uses that as its first mark
• Added up/down controls to the own-ship display VRM range options
• Increased timeout waiting for AIS to respond to vessel and voyage changes to 3 seconds
• Fixed performance issue in Route Monitor with very long river routes
• Ignore MWV sentences that don’t contain a valid angle and speed (rather than using zero)

Changes

• Changed the backing-down detection for look-ahead/heading-up mode to provide a more stable display when “stationary”
• Disable route obstacle checking during synchronization and perform a fresh check when synchronization is finished

Changes

• Fixed problem where some systems could not show All Instruments in the new Add Instrument page
• Changed new analog clock to be more analog
• Show mile marker position in cursor status area on chart controls (+Inland)
• Correctly pickup AIS vessel size after clearing a manually entered size
• Fixed problem saving and restoring sensor options for NMEA 2000 devices
• Fixed closing Rose Point ECS when Exclusive Application Mode is enabled
• Change Install link to Remove after installing additional gazetteer and change Remove link to Install after removing one
• Shorten names of daybeacons when the “Shorten ATON Names” option is enabled
• Updated to WMM2015v2, the World Magnetic Model update recently released by NOAA
• Updated link to USACE IENC Discrepancy Reporting page
• SERVICES: Rearranged backup storage structure and added an index file (old folder was called “Rose Point Nav Pubs”; new folder is called “Rose Point Backups”)
• SERVICES: Delete cancelled pubs from backup
• SERVICES: Fixed issue with updating some pub backups
• API: Added real-time value to NavData API

Changes

• Fixed problem downloading charts and accessing some other services when certificate revocation server access is blocked by a firewall

This is the first release of Rose Point ECS version 4!