Passage Planning Flashcards
Why do we need a Passage Plan?
Regulation 34 of SOLAS Chapter V ‘Safe Navigation and Avoidance of Dangerous Situations’ states the requirement for every vessel that goes to sea to have a passage plan in place.
A passage plan is a systematic process designed to ensure we consider each phase of a vessels journey. From leaving the berth to arriving at its next port. Shipping is a complex business and by breaking the process into four distinct stages we can ensure we have as much information as needed to help us achieve our ultimate goal:
Safey of Life at Sea Safe Navigation of the Vessel Prevention of Pollution to the Environment
The four stages of the passage plan are:
1) APPRAISAL
2) PLANNING
3) EXECUTION
4) MONITORING
APPRAISAL
We approach the appraisal stage by sourcing and selecting information for the intended passage. We need to be able to evaluate the information which is useful to us and what is not.
To do this we must understand the contents of nautical charts and publications as well as other approved sources of navigational information.
We need to know what people expect of the ship for the passage. This means knowing what the charterers, company and masters expectations and specific instructions are.
This will help focus our decision on possible routes to take. We should be aware of the different phases of the passage and the additional considerations for each.
PLANNING
Planning is the presentation of the information gatheres on a paper chart or ECDIS.
Tracks are laid off from berth to berth with the margins of error or XTE indicated.
Danger areas are highlighted on the chart along with minimum distances to pass hazards and any features which may be useful to navigation.
The plan has to approved by the master and is kept onboard the vessel for at least 12 months. The information included at this stage would include:
1) No-go areas marked on the chart
2) Navigational hazard identified and highlighted
3) Safe water identified
4) Waypoint identified
5) Planned track drawn on the chart/ ECDIS
6) XTD marked on the chart
7) Turn radius for course alteration
8) Wheel over position
9) Position fixing features
10) Clearing bearings and transits
11) Parallel index lines
12) Roueting and reporting requirements
13) Contingency planning
EXECUTION
Once the departure time of the vessel is known we can then determine how we are going to execute our plan.
1) Our ETA at waypoints can be calculated
2) The latest meteorological information can be applied and any tides
3) Tidal streams or currents which may affect the vessel on passage can be calculated.
Knowing this information will allow the master and their bridge team to identify the potential environmental conditions at critical parts of the passage. Consideration can then be given as to how these will be executed in terms of passage during day or night and how the bridge will be manned.
MONITORING
When the vessel is on passage its progress must be monitored against the planned route. The bridge team would achieve this by the following actions:
1) Checking that the ships position is within the authorised cross track error.
2) Fixing the ship’s position at frequent intervals.
3) Cross checking the ships position.
4) Monitoring information received and displayed on navigational equipment.
Types of Navigational Chart
Admiralty standard chart - Official paper charts
Co-tidal, Co-range chart - Height of tide at offshore location
Gnomonic chart - Great circle course and distance
Port approach chart - To support Master/Pilot exchange
Admiralty security chart - To support planning for high risk areas
Mariners routing chart - Planning busy & complex shipping routes
Ocean routing charts - Weather & enviromental conditions
When would you use a gnomic chart?
To determine the great circle route and distance between two points. This can then be laid off on a mercator chart as series of shorter rhumb lies.
What would you use the Mariners Handbook for?
Essential information related to the safe navigation of the vessel. Including:
- Admiralty charts and publications
- Meteorology
- Sea and Ice conditions
- Maritime organisations
- Communication of navigational information
- Maritime pollution and conservation
Name the sections of the ‘Weekly Notices to Mariners’?
I - Explanatory Notes
II - Admiralty Notices to Mariners: Standard Chart Updates
III - NAVAREA I Navigational Warnings
IV - Updates to Admiralty Sailing Directions
V - Updates to Admiralty List of Lights and Fog Signals
VI - Updates to Admiralty List of Radio Signals
VII - Updates to Misc. Admiralty Nautical Publications
VIII - Updates to Admiralty Digital Services
What information would you get from a ‘Mariners Roueting Guide’?
- A graphical plan of the area
- Passage planning information
- Ship routeing information
- Communication - Vessel reporting systems
- Pilotage information.
What information would you get from a roueting chart?
Used for planning ocean voyages.
- Routes and distances beetween major ports
- Ocean currents
- Ice limits
- Load lines
- Wind roses
What are the ‘Cumulative Notices to Mariners’?
Published in two part in January and July. They contain the latest editions of published charts as well as all the notices to mariners which apply to a particular chart.
What is a NAVAREA?
It is part of the World Wide Navigational Warning Service. The world has been divided into 21 geographical areas known as NAVAREAS.
The purpose of a navigational warning is to alert a mariner of potential dangers or threats to safety of like at sea.
What is the purpose of a traffic seperation scheme?
It is to reduce the number of head-on situations in areas of high traffic density or areas particularly sensitive to the environment.
How would you know if a TSS was approved by IMO?
Consult the IMO publication ‘Ships Routeing’ and check the notes on the charts.
