Passage Planning

Passage Planning
 Passage planning or voyage planning is a procedure of developing a complete

description of a vessel's voyage from start to finish.
 Production of a passage plan prior to departure is a legal requirement.
 The practice of voyage planning has evolved from drawing lines on nautical charts
to a process of risk management.
What to include?
The plan should include:
Leaving the dock and harbor area,
the enroute portion of a voyage,
approaching the destination,
and mooring.
A passage plan is a comprehensive, berth to berth guide, developed and used by

a vessel’s bridge team to determine the most favorable route, to identify potential
problems or hazards along the route, and to adopt Bridge Management Practices
to ensure the vessel’s safe passage. SOLAS Chapter 5, Annexes 24 & 25 titled
“Voyage Planning” and “Guidelines for voyage planning” respectively, give specific
regulatory information with regard to the passage plan.
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. The appraisal will include details from:
 Chart Catalogue
 Charts
 Ocean Passages of The World
 Routeing Charts
 Admiralty Sailing Directions
 Admiralty List of Lights and Fog Signals
 Admiralty List of Radio Signals
 Tide Tables
 Tidal Stream Atlas
 Notices to Mariners
 Admiralty Distance Tables
 Ships Routeing
 Navigational Warnings
 Mariner’s Handbook
 Load Line Chart
 Draft of Ship
 Owners and other sources
 Personal Experience
Taking into consideration master’s guidelines, company’s guidelines, ship’s cargo,

marine environment, and all other factors that may affect the ship, the navigating officer
draws upon a general track, which the ship shall follow.
For the ease of planning, this plan is first laid out on a small scale chart, which is later
transferred to larger scale charts, and then minor modifications are made as and when
deemed necessary.
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.
In addition to the above-mentioned things, is it advisable to layout the rate of turn for
waypoints and laying out of PI ranges for suitable objects, if any.
Reporting areas should also be clearly marked on the charts. Elements of the Planning
phase include:
 No-Go areas
 Margins of safety
 Charted Tracks
 Course alterations and wheel over points
 Parallel Indexing
 Aborts and Contingencies
 Clearing line and bearings
 Leading lines
 Tides and current
 Change in engine status
 Minimum UKC
 Use of Echo Sounder
 Head Mark
 Natural Transit
Aborts: When approaching constrained waters, the vessel might be in a position

beyond which there is no possible action but to proceed. For example, the vessel enters
an area so narrow that there is no room to return. It is for this purpose that a position is
drawn on the chart showing the last point wherein the passage can be aborted.
Contingencies: The bridge team must always be aware that the events might not go as
planned and that emergency action might be required. Contingency plans account for
such situations, clearly shown on the chart so that the OOW can take swift action in
such a jam. Contingency planning will include alternative routes, safe anchorages,
waiting areas, emergency berths.
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.
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.
AN ASSIGNMENT
PRESENTED TO THE
COLLEGE OF MARITIME EDUCATION
TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES – MANILA
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT
OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
THE SUBJECT OF
TERRESTRIAL AND COASTAL NAVIGATIONAL 3
BY:
D/C RUBRICO, FLORENZ GRAY S
MT21KA1
SEPTEMBER 9, 2019
CM DANILO SUNODAN
INSTRUCTOR

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Passage Planning

 Passage planning or voyage planning is a procedure of developing a complete

A passage plan is a comprehensive, berth to berth guide, developed and used by

Taking into consideration master’s guidelines, company’s guidelines, ship’s cargo,

Aborts: When approaching constrained waters, the vessel might be in a position

D/C RUBRICO, FLORENZ GRAY S

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