The days of the navigator poring over paper charts, pencil poised, are numbered after the Royal Navy ordered £10m of hi-tech equipment to introduce electronic charts to the Fleet.

Nearly 50 surface ships, submarines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels will be equipped with computer navigational charts, which will revolutionise the way Navigating Officers guide their ships around the world.

Electronic charts have been tested in some of the RN’s most modern vessels, including Type 23 frigate HMS Westminster, which has had the system for 18 months.

Now the WECDIS console – Warship Electronic Chart Display and Information System – is to become a standard feature across the Fleet.

The computer chart does not mean the end of paper, however. The traditional skills will still be taught and maintained to ensure that if the system ever fails, traditional navigating can still save the day.

But the console, unveiled at the London Boat Show last month, is the first step towards a paperless bridge, and should relieve some of the burden of seafaring on a bridge team.

The system can provide automatic alarms and notification, and navigators can “interrogate” symbols on the chart to see detailed information about specific areas or features – a far cry from the official paper charts, first introduced in 1795.

Navigation students will become acquainted with WECDIS first; the consoles are being installed at the Maritime Warfare School at HMS Collingwood and will be ready this spring.

The first ship to receive the system under the new initiative will go to sea around the middle of the year.

Rear Admiral Peter Davies, Flag Officer Training and Recruiting (FOTR), said paper charts had served the Navy admirably since the late 18th century, but it was important to move “into the modern world”.

He said: “This will improve navigational accuracy and ultimately improve safety.

“But it’s more than just an electronic chart – it’s the ability to link with other parts of a ship’s command system which takes it to the next level. And it will reduce the load on the bridgekeeping team.”

The admiral observed that ”there will be some people with concerns about using computers.

“It’s the end of an era, but the ships who have been trialing the consoles don’t want to give them back. I’m convinced that once fitted, sailors will like WECDIS.”

For smaller vessels, especially submarines, where space is at a premium, there should be the additional benefit of the chart consoles taking up far less space - a Royal Navy ship on a major deployment would need to have a considerable weight of paper to hand during her trip.

“If you think of submarines, space is limited and critical. Now they are only going to need a few charts,” the admiral added.

Havant-based defence firm Lockheed Martin will oversee the project – £10m to initially fit the console to 48 major RN and RFA vessels, followed by in-service support worth £19m – alongside partner firms Kelvin Hughes, Babcock and Offshore Systems.

All 48 vessels should be fitted out by the end of 2006.

Two consoles will be fitted to each vessel selected, with a remote station in the charthouse in line with international safety regulations.