LO1.

8 Determine The planning factors of a

passage involving relevant resources.
• The technique of developing a full description of a vessel's voyage from
start to end is known as passage planning or voyage planning.
• The captain of a ship is legally responsible for passage planning,
according to international law.
• The navigation officer of a ship, usually the second officer aboard
commerce ships, is in charge of route planning.
• Groundings, crashes, and oil leaks can all result from poor passage
planning and unapproved deviations from the plan.
• A passage plan is intended to establish a comprehensive berth-to-berth
navigation plan in order to ensure a safe voyage by determining a path
that will be followed by: Recognizing the dangers and evaluating the risks
and decision points that come with them. Checking the depth of the water
and the amount of sea room available.
• Appraisal, planning, execution, and monitoring are the four stages of
passage planning. These stages are outlined in the International Maritime
Organization's Guidelines For Voyage Planning (Resolution A. 893(21),
which are reflected in the local laws of IMO signatory countries.
Example Of Passage Plan:
1.Appraising – all relevant
2.Planning – the intended voyage
3.Executing- the plan taking account of prevailing conditions
4.Monitoring – the vessel’s progress against the plan continuously.
Ship Passage Planning – Essential Steps

A ship’s passage planning involves 4 major steps/stages. They are as

follows:
1. Appraisal - In this stage, the master of the ship discusses with the chief
navigating officer (usually the Second Mate), as to how he intends to sail
to the destination port. (In some cases it may be required for the master
to plan the passage). This is the process of gathering all information
relevant to the proposed passage, including ascertaining risks and
assessing its critical areas. This involves information extracted from
publications as well as those within the chart.
2. Planning - Having made a full appraisal using all information at hand
pertaining to the passage, the OOW, under the authority of the Master is to
prepare a detailed plan for the passage. In this stage, the intended courses
of the ships are actually laid out on the charts of suitable scale and all
additional information is marked. The plan is laid out from pier to pier,
including the pilotage waters.
It is a good practice to mark dangerous areas such as nearby wrecks,
shallow water, reefs, small islands, emergency anchorage positions, and any
other information that might aid safe navigation.
3. Execution - In this stage, the navigating officers execute the plan that
has been prepared. After departure, the speed is adjusted based on the ETA
and the expected weather and oceanographic conditions. The speed should
be adjusted such that the ship is not either too early or late at its port of
destination. The Master should find out how long his intended voyage is,
accounting for water and fuel available. Also to be taken into account are
any expected weather changes along the way. In case and ECDIS is being
used, appropriate limits must be set with regard to the safety settings.
4. Monitoring - Monitoring is that aspect which takes into account
checking of the position of the vessel, such that it remains within the safe
distance from any danger areas. Parallel Indexing can be used to maintain
safe distance alongside any hazards to navigation. A safe and successful
voyage can only be achieved by close and continuous monitoring of the
ship’s progress along the pre-planned tracks. Situations may arise wherein
the navigating officer might feel it prudent to deviate from the plan. In such
case, he shall inform the master and take any action that he may deem
necessary for the safety of the ship and its crew. This stage is a very
important stage wherein all the deck officers contribute their part to
execute the plan. This calls for personal judgement, good seamanship and
experience.
References:
https://www.marineinsight.com/marine-navigation/understanding-the-
principles-of-passage-planning/
https://www.skuld.com/topics/ship/navigation/passage-planning-in-a-n
utshell
/