OOW Syllabus: Topic 1.1: Passage Planning & Publications

Question 1

What is a passage plan?

Answer 1

• A berth to berth risk assessment required for all voyages.
• Must be approved by the Master.
• Underpinning legislation IMO A.
• Guidance found in BPG - Ships SMS.

Question 2

What is involved in the appraisal stage?

Answer 2

Highlight Dangers to navigation.
Relevant, Current and Correct information.
Berth to berth risk assessment.

Ship Critical:

• Fuel
• Water
• Stores
• Certification
• Manning
• Seaworthiness
• Security/piracy

Voyage specific information:

• Consult NP131 chart catalogue
• Navigation charts at the right scale
• Admiralty notices to mariners
• Routeing charts
• Port entry charts
• Nautical Almanac + Navigation tables

Publication info:

• Sailing directions
• ALRS volume 6
• List of light and fog signals
• Mariners Handbook
• Ocean passages of the world

Tide and Met conditions:

• Tide tables + Tidal stream atlas
• Weather information

Question 3

Where can information be found regarding mandatory publications and where would you find this information?

Answer 3

SOLAS chapter V - Recommended in MGN 3610:

International Code of Signals (IMO)
IAMSAR Manual Vol.III
Mariners' Handbook (UKHO)
Merchant Shipping notice, Marine Guidance Notes and Marine Information Notes (MCA)
Notices to Mariners (UKHO)
Notices to Mariners Annual Summary (UKHO)
Lists of Radio Signals (UKHO)
Lists of Lights (UKHO)
Sailing Directions (UKHO)
Nautical Almanac
Navigational Tables
Tide Tables
Tidal Stream Atlases
Operating and Maintenance Instructions for Navigational Aids carried by the Ship

Question 4

What is involved in the planning stage?

Answer 4

Planning:

Visually represented:
- Clearly marked courses and alterations
- Routing schemes
- Reporting points
- Critical areas
- High traffic density areas
- Speed considerations
- Shallow depths with reference to UKC
- Parallel indexing
- Available/lack of position fixing
- Aids to navigation
- Contingency planning (Abort points, Anchorages)
Pilotage plan
- Navigation Workbook

Question 5

What is involved in the execution stage?

Answer 5

Execution:

Increased accuracy:

• Bridge equipment checks
• ETA’s
• Traffic movements noted
• Navigational warnings plotted
• Tides approved
• Weather forecast noted
• Critical points
• Manning available
• Comms tested
• Pre departure checklist
• Team briefed

Question 6

What is involved in the monitoring stage?

Answer 6

Monitoring:
The monitoring stage of APEM is ensuring the vessel stays within limits of the planned track and is navigating within the executed plan, adhering to any requirements.

Do not rely on a single position fixing method.
Fix vessels position at intended intervals.
Radar is set up as required.
Monitor any alarms indicated on the bridge.
Complying with any discharge criteria.
Compliance with the masters standing orders and night orders.

Question 7

What information can be found in ocean passages of the world?

Answer 7

• NP 136
• Ch​​​​apters covering each of the world’s oceans.
• Routes not covered by sailing directions
• Weather, climate, winds, currents, swell, seasonal factors and ice hazards
• World’s busiest and emerging trade routes
• Updated via NTM

Question 8

What are the volumes of ALRS?

Answer 8

Vol 1 - Coast radio stations.
Vol 2 - Radio aids to navigation, satellite navigation systems, legal time, radio time signals, electronic position fixing systems.
Vol 3 - MSI.
Vol 4 - Meteorological observation stations.
Vol 5 - GMDSS.
Vol 6 - Pilot Services, Vessel traffic services, Port operation

Question 9

What is a routeing chart?

Answer 9

Essential for use in passage planning for ocean voyages. They include:

• Route and distances between major ports,
• Ocean currents (Thicker the line the stronger the current)
• Ice limits
• Load lines zones
• Average barometric pressure
• Mean air and sea temperatures
• Wind roses with expected meteorological and oceanographic conditions for each month of the year
• TRS tracks
• Poor visibility predictions

5 main routing charts: - North Atlantic - South Atlantic - North Pacific - South Pacific - Indian Ocean additionally there are charts for

There are 12 charts for each area, one for every month of the year.

Question 10

What is contained in the Mariners Handbook?

Answer 10

• Chapter 1: Charts, Navigational Information, Supply Of Charts, Nav Warnings Etc.
• Chapter 2: Use Of Charts And Other Navigation Aids, Fixing Positions On Charts, Light And Fog Signals, Buoyage, Echo Sounding Etc.
• Chapter 3: Operational Information And Regulations.
• Chapter 4: The Sea.
• Chapter 5: Meteorology.
• Chapter 6: Sea - Ice - Icebergs.
• Chapter 7: Operations In Polar Regions Where Ice Is Prevalent.
• Chapter 8: Observing And Reporting Hydro Information.

Question 11

What is the Sailing directions used for?

Answer 11

• Essential for coastal Nav.
• 75 volumes.

Contents:

• Nav hazards.
• Buoyage system.
• Detailed port information.
• Local Regulations.
• Currents.
• Barometric pressure.
• Recommended routes from one port to another.

Corrected via:

• Section 4 NTM
• Do not cut and paste just file
• Note week corrected in publication
• Update list released 3 monthly and annual.