PASSAGE PLANNING Flashcards
What are the requirements for voyage planning?
SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 34
Prior to proceeding to sea, the master shall ensure that the intended voyage has been planned using the appropriate nautical charts and nautical publications for the area concerned, taking into account the guidelines and recommendations developed by the Organization.
The voyage plan shall identify a route which:
• Takes into account any relevant ships’ routeing systems
• Ensures sufficient sea room for the safe passage of the ship throughout the voyage
• Anticipates all known navigational hazards and adverse weather conditions; and
• Takes into account the marine environmental protection measures that apply, and avoids, as far as possible, actions and activities which could cause damage to the environment
What is a passage plan?
The berth to berth risk assessment of the intended voyage, taking into account not just the passage plan but every aspect and peril of the maritime adventure
Describe the process of passage planning
I would carry out a passage plan in 4 distinct stages in accordance with the guidance contained In IMO Resolution A.893(21). The 4 stages as follows: Appraisal, Planning, Execution and Monitoring
APPRAISAL. The Appraisal process can be split up into 2 stages, firstly gathering all information relevant to the proposed voyage, and secondly, using that information in ascertaining risks and assessing critical areas.
Gather relevant information such as:
• Hydrographic data, (appropriate scale, accurate and up-to-date charts and publications, Notices to mariners, ALL)
• Climatological and meteorological information. (Routeing charts, Ocean passages for the world, Sailing directions, tide tables)
• Routeing and reporting systems, vessel traffic services, volume of traffic likely to be encountered. (ALRS6, Ship´s routeing guide)
• Pilotage and available port information (ALRS6, sailing directions)
• Security considerations (Maritime security charts)
Ascertaining the risks and assessing critical areas:
• The condition and state of the vessel, its stability, and its equipment; any operational limitations; its permissible draught; its manoeuvring data, including any restrictions.
• The provision of a competent and well-rested crew to undertake the voyage or passage;
• Requirements for up-to-date certificates and documents
• Considerations for the Protection of the marine environment.
• Safety and Security considerations.
• Technical considerations such as provisions, fuel and water
• Insurance considerations.
PLANNING. On the basis of the fullest possible appraisal, a detailed voyage or passage plan should be prepared
• The planning should cover the entire voyage or passage from berth to berth, including those areas where the services of a pilot will be used. Considering Under keel clearance, Safe speed, Safe passing distance.
• The plotting of the intended route or track of the voyage or passage on appropriate scale charts. Including plotting a safe route, no go areas, course, speed, course alterations points, wheel over points, etc…
• Contingency plans should be developed. Fully appraised Alternative routes and schedules, ports of refuge, emergency anchorages, abort points, etc…
• The details of the passage plan should be clearly marked in a voyage plan notebook
• Each voyage plan should be approved by the ships’ master prior to the commencement of the voyage or passage.
EXECUTION. As soon as time of departure and estimated time of arrival can be determined with reasonable accuracy, the voyage or passage should be executed in accordance with the plan or any changes made thereto.
• Factors which should be considered when deciding on any departure therefrom include:
o Estimated times of arrival at critical points for tide heights and flow;
o Daytime versus night-time passing of danger points
o Meteorological conditions and Navigational warnings.
o Traffic conditions, especially at navigational focal points.
o Limitations imposed by the port for departure and arrival.
• I would consider whether any particular circumstance introduces an unacceptable hazard to the safe conduct of the passage; and thus whether that section of the passage should be attempted under the conditions prevailing or likely to prevail.
• I would also consider at which specific points of the voyage or passage there may be a need to utilize additional deck or engine room personnel
MONITORING. The progress of the vessel in accordance with the voyage and passage plan should be closely and continuously monitored.
• Position fixing frequently and by multiple methods
• Monitor performance and reliability of navigational equipment
• Regular weather forecasts obtained. Monitor navigational warnings
• Pollution prevention
• Compliance with reporting procedures
- Update ETAs at critical points
- Any changes made to the plan should be clearly marked and recorded.
- The plan should be available at all times on the bridge to allow officers immediate access
What if the voyage plan is not going to plan?
If information gathered during the monitoring stage indicates that the plan has become dangerous.
If it is not an unacceptable hazard, continue to monitor.
If it is an unacceptable hazard, and there is no contingency plan available, then the passage plan will have to be amended. Any changes to the passage plan should be fully appraised, executed and monitored in the same process used to compile the original passage plan.
What are the critical ship limitations?
- Seaworthiness. The ship must be seaworthy in order to undertake the proposed voyage.
- Stability & Watertight integrity
- Safety Management System.
- Security considerations
- Certification. Vessel certification valid for the intended voyage.
- Carriage of charts and publications complied with
- Manning. Ensure sufficient manning for the intended voyage
- Underwriting.
- Compliance with MARPOL
- Fuel & Water
What information would you give the OOW when asking them to plan a passage?
- The port of departure and arrival. Routeing preferences. Experience from previous voyages.
- The ETA and ETD. Planned speed. Any schedule limitations.
- Distance to navigational hazards and under keel clearance.
- Turn radius and manoeuvring characteristics.
- Bridge manning requirements
- Agent details and pilotage requirements.
- Preferred contingency ports.
What would be your UKC for ocean passage? And for coastal passage?
10 metres
What sources of information would you refer to when passage planning?
- Navigational Charts (Updated)
- Annual summary of notices to mariners
- Cumulative list of notices to mariners
- Weekly notices to mariners
- Routeing charts
- Ocean passages for the world
- Sailing directions
- Ship´s routeing guide
- Admiralty List of Radio Signals
- Admiralty List of lights and fog signals
- Tide tables and tidal stream atlases
- Nautical almanac. Nautical tables
- Mariner´s handbook
- Guide to symbols
- Maritime security charts
- M-Notices
What is contained in the Admiralty List of Radio signals?
Volume 1 (NP281) Coast Radio Stations
- Maritime public correspondence stations listings
- Global marine communication services
- Ship reporting systems
- Piracy and armed robbery reporting procedures
- List of shore based MMSI numbers
Volume 2 (NP282) Radio Aids to Navigation, Satellite Navigation Systems, Legal time, Radio time signals, Electronic Position Fixing Systems
- Listing of all direction finding stations
- Listing of all radar beacons
- Major satellite systems
- Listing of beacons transmitting DGPS corrections
- Daylight saving times and dates
- Time signal broadcast details
- Electronic position fixing system details
Volume 3 (NP283) Maritime Safety Information Services
- Maritime weather services
- Maritime safety information services
- Worldwide listing of NAVTEX stations
- Submarine and gunnery warning details
- worldwide listing of radio-fascimile stations and map areas
Volume 4 (NP284) Meteorological Observation Stations
Volume 5 (NP285) Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems
- Global communication requirements for distress
- Coverage of maritime search and rescue stations
- Worldwide operational DSC ranges
Volume 6 (NP286) Pilot services, Vessel Traffic Services, Port Operations
- Detailed pilot information
- Global vessel traffic service information
- Reporting points, pilot boarding areas and ports
- Harbour communication
What are examples of Navigational hazards?
- Reduced UKC
- Shallow areas
- Squat interaction
- TSS
- VTS/Reporting
- Traffic density
- Tidal flow and range
- Weather
- Poor visibility
- Narrow channels
- Ice
What precautions would you take prior to entering a narrow channel? What considerations?
- Complete pre-arrival checks in accordance with SMS
- Brief personnel as appropriate
- Increase bridge manning
- Comply with VTS requirements
- Prepare master/pilot exchange. Prepare pilotage plan. Have wheelhouse poster and pilot card ready
- Obtain updated meteorological forecast. Check state of tide.
- Set radars for navigation
- Engine room informed
- Reduce to a Safe speed
- Prepare thrusters. Switch on both steering pumps. Carry out manual steering checks
- Deck department informed
- Mooring arrangements ready. Manned appropriately.
- Prepare for pilot embarkation.
Considerations
• Squat and Interaction with other vessels
• Traffic density
• Wind and tide
Explain what would be consulted with which senior crewmembers in passage planning
Navigator • The port of departure and arrival. Routeing preferences. Experience from previous voyages. • The ETA and ETD. Planned speed. Any schedule limitations. • Distance to navigational hazards and under keel clearance. • Turn radius and manoeuvring characteristics. • Bridge manning requirements • Agent details and pilotage requirements. • Preferred contingency ports. Chief engineer • Fuel & Water requirements • Pollution prevention requirements • Engine room manning • Planned maintenance • Reliability of machinery Chief stewardess • Medical equipment • Stowage preparations Purser • Visas • Customs/Immigration • Crew certification
What information should be plotted on the chart at planning stage?
- No-go areas marked out. Safety contours set on the ECDIS.
- Navigational hazards identified and highlighted.
- Safe water identified. Safety depth alarm configured on the ECDIS.
- Waypoints. Name each waypoint.
- Planned track. Each track leg notated with the Course to steer, the distance.
- Planned speed for each leg.
- Cross track distance. Determined by the draught in relation to the available depth of water
- Turn radius for each course alteration.
- Wheel over position for each course alteration. Tip. 1 cable for each 10 degrees.
- Decision points for critical manoeuvres. Points of no return or abort points.
- Contingency plans and anchorages
- Position fixing features identified. Prominent features that will aid the navigator for visual bearings and radar ranges.
- Clearing bearings and transits identified.
- Parallel index lines
- Routeing and reporting requirements. VTS channel.
- Pilot embarkation points
• Tidal diamonds highlighted and tidal stream noted
Be aware to not over-clutter the chart.
What factors should be considered to determine the planned speed?
- Energy efficiency and Fuel calculations
- ETA/ETD at critical points
- Collision regulations (Rule 6 factors)
- Transfer operations
- Speed limits in accordance with local regulations
- Other circumstances and conditions
What must you consider to ensure Compliance of the passage plan?
- International requirements such as Ship´s routeing
- Flag state requirements
- SMS requirements
- Captain´s standing orders and night orders
