Track Control System

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Overview

Track control systems in conjunction with their sources of positon, speed and heading information are intended to keep a ship automatically on a pre-planned track over ground under various conditions and within the limits related to a ship’s manoeuvrability.

A track control system may additional include heading control, in which case HCS performance standards apply.

The primary position fixing system used for track control should be an electronic position fixing systems (EPFS) approved by IMO.

A TCS is effectively an autopilot (HCS) combined with an ECDIS / INS.

Carriage requirement

(SOLAS Chpt V Reg 19) All ships of 10,000 gross tonnage and upwards shall have a heading or track control system, or other means, to automatically control and keep to a heading and/or straight track.