The marking of the Point of No Return and Abort Point on ECDIS are dependent on the vessel manoeuvring characteristics. This contains many sub-factors such as the present speed, stopping distance, tactical diameter, current, wind, swell, loading condition, size of vessel, type of propeller, availability of bow thruster, traffic in the area and the state of visibility.
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The above listed factors are considered when marking the Point of No Return & Abort Point on the ECDIS. A larger size vessel would require more space to turn around and hence her Point of No return would be much before and marked accordingly.
Note that a single route may have multiple Abort Points but only a single Point of No Return.
Point of No return
Point of no return is the position after which the ship is committed to proceed on voyage. It will be the position where the ship enters water so narrow that there is no room to return or where it is not possible to retrace the track due to a falling tide and insufficient UKC.
Abort Point
The Abort Point is a position on the marked course where the ship may abandon her passage and be able to return (or hold position safely).
