OSI Presents Warship Navigation Software To Naval Academy Foundation

OSI Maritime Systems has presented to the United States Naval Academy Foundation its ECPINS (Electronic Precise Integrated Navigation System) navigation software and licenses for 60 operating and training stations aboard the 703 Class Yard Patrol Craft (YP).  The gift is valued at nearly $500,000.

The software is in use in 20 navies around the world.  With ECPINS Warship, instructors from the Naval Academy’s Seamanship & Navigation Department and the midshipmen will have use of the most advanced and militarily capable naval Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) available. 

[Reviewing the installation of ECPINS on the YP 705 (from left to right): LtCdr Andrew Storey, Deputy Chairman of the Seanav Department; Chris Haugen, Director Business Development, OSI Maritime Systems; Commander Joey Frantzen ’94, USN, Chairman of the Naval Academy’s Department of Seamanship and Navigation; and, Commander Adan Cruz ’94, USN, Director of the Academy’s Professional Development Division.] “The WECDIS / ECPINS gift truly allows us to give our midshipmen a ‘future proof’ skill set using the very latest digital marine navigation technology,” said John Rudder ’78, senior director of development for the Naval Academy Foundation. “With support from OSI Maritime, the software has been installed in both the bridge simulators ashore and 703 Class Yard Patrol Craft for underway training. This will allow us to deploy to both Boston and New York for the final phase of summer training using completely paperless navigation techniques and to comprehensively demonstrate how naval bridge teams navigate and ‘fight’ a modern warship using the advanced feature sets embedded within the ECPINS software.”

The presentation was made by Chris Haugen, OSI’s Director of US Operations, a member of the USNA Class of 1984 and a career submariner. 

“We are proud and pleased to be able to contribute to the professional training midshipmen receive underway on YPs,” said Haugen.  “It is important to gain experience with the tactical navigation, operational planning, and voyage monitoring features ECPINS provides warship navigators and watch officers.  Our closest allies use ECPINS exclusively throughout their fleets.  Exposure to ECPINS Warship’s advanced capabilities not only enhances the midshipmen’s appreciation of the art of tactical navigation and operations planning, but provides an introduction to the direction the US Navy is heading with new navigation system requirements.”

The product of more than 20 years of military electronic navigation experience, ECPINS Warship is an International Maritime Organization (IMO) approved ECDIS and the only ECDIS independently certified against the NATO Warship ECDIS standard specified in STANAG 4564.

“OSI knows the importance of underway training on the YPs and how necessary it is to develop the skills these young officers will need to navigate our ships and submarines,” Haugen stated.  “Using ECPINS Warship supports that development and the donation is a natural fit.”