Passage Planning

Phases of Passage Planning

• Appraisal

• Planning

• Execution

• Monitoring
Appraisal

This is the process of gathering

together all information relevant
to the proposed passage from
publications and other available
sources
Publications to be consulted when
planning a passage

The following publications and sources listed below

relevant to the passage, and not limited to, should
be consulted :
 Admiralty Chart Catalogue
 Admiralty Sailing Directions
 Admiralty Tide Tables
 Admiralty List of Radio Signals
 Tidal Stream Atlas
 Admiralty List of Lights
 Notices to Mariners
 Annual Summary of Notices to Mariners
 Admiralty Distance Tables
 Mariners Handbook
 Radio Navigational Warnings
 Routeing Chart
 Ocean Passages of the World (for Ocean Passages)
Planning

Having made the fullest possible appraisal,

the navigating officer can now act upon the
master’s instructions to prepare a detailed
plan of the passage. This should cover the
whole passage, from berth to berth, and
include all waters where a pilot will be on
board.
The formulation of the plan will involve completion of
the following tasks:
•Draw track boldly considering draft margins of safety
• Greater clearances if means of position fixing not
good, strong currents and fog
•Possibility of engine or steering gear failure
•Indicate along track in 3-fig notation true direction
•Shade NO GO AREAS. Emphasize dangers near track
•Show distances from destination
•Mark radar conspicuous objects, RACONS
•A/C positions shown on track with W/O positions.
•ETA at course alteration points
•Current and tidal streams – direction and rate
•Mark useful transits, clearing bearings clearing ranges
•Parallel index lines, cross index ranges and dead ranges
•Where use of echo sounder would be anticipated
•Next chart indication
•Crossing traffic and areas of high traffic density
•TSS and reporting points
•Positions where extra personnel will be required
•Positions for calling master, pilot and giving notice to ER
•Where anchors to be prepared
•Advance warning of potential hazards
•Raising dipping ranges of lights – show arcs with names
•Alternative position fixing methods for night/day
•Compass courses
•Where manual steering engaged
•Navigational warnings currently affecting chart
•Times of sun rise and sun set – daylight and night
•Safe speed at various stages - squat and turns
•A/c points with W/O pos. on large scale charts
•minimum UKC – show critical areas
•points where accuracy of position fixing is critical
•contingency plans for alternative action in
emergency
•Highlight tidal diamonds and indicate times of
HW and LW for the various ports.
Leading lines
Leading lines are transits which form a track line
to be made good to ensure that the ship passes
clear of danger.

Clearing bearings and clearing ranges

Clearing bearings and clearing ranges are
bearings and ranges of charted objects that can
be used to ensure that a ship is remaining within
a safe area or is not approaching a danger.
Altering course
When planning turns in confined waters, it is
good practice to prepare the turn with a
reference point on the new course.

Contingency plans
For possible contingencies, quick effective
response for the unexpected. Engine failure,
steering loss, port or channel closures, radar
failure, reduction in visibility, heavy traffic at
crucial points, movement or closure of a pilot
station
First step iis to identify and mark 'no-go' areas
Same charts supplied to VLCC or a coaster .
Chart made suitable by marking 'limiting danger
lines' - 'no-go areas.'
Lines drawn on chart to highlight where the
vessel cannot go.
Allowance for maximum draft tide etc. Benefits
•forces factors affecting UKC
•it forces a concentrated study of the chart
•Not enough to depend ondepth contour lines.
•Lines - prominent to highlight immediate danger
Important to draw no-go boundaries accurately.
Insert the ‘margins of safety'.
Normally this will be an area either
side of the vessels intended track
that may be acceptable to deviate
within, under normal circumstances.
In the approaches to ports as well
as in some areas, however, this may
be the traffic lanes already on the
chart.
•Vessels intended track to be drawn.
•Wheel over positions marked on chart.

•When marking the W/O positions –

consider rudder, speed and depth
•Useful to insert speed to be
maintained if an accurate ETA is
required at a certain point, e.g. for
picking up pilots.
•Before entering restricted waters - abort points
•To proceed further all systems be fully operational.
•Also action to be taken to abort also entered
•E.g. engine speed reduced and direction of turn
•In addition,contingency planning also done.
• Plans be considered main engine failure, steering
loss, port or channel closures, radar failure,
reduction in visibility, heavy traffic at crucial points,
movement or closure of a pilot station, or any of the
accidents and emergencies that can occur to a ship
on passage.
A
B
O
R
T

&

C
O
N
T
I
N
G
E
N
C
Y
P
A
R
A
L
E
L

I
N
D
E
X
I
N
G
•Clearing bearings for hazards, and to assist

in maintaining the track should be inserted

onto the chart. These give a very quick
method of checking that the vessel is clear
of dangers
•Clearing ranges used to ensure that a
minimum and maximum distance is
maintained from a identifiable mark. These
should be considered on all vessels where
pararallel indexing is not being employed
and may especially beneficial when
completing a turn.