Passage planning

Passage planning from berth to berth is an essential navigational discipline. The purpose of passage planning is to ensure positive control over the safe navigation of the ship at all times.

For ferries, liner and other vessels engaged on regular passages, the passage plan
was established for normal operating conditions and only the variable items like
weather and tidal information will need to be updated. If, however, the vessel
changes route or the officers change, then thorough briefings will need to take place.

For the majority of ships visiting different ports, the process of planning must be given due consideration. Early advice about the intended voyage may come from a variety of sources and frequently the master will need to provide a voyage itinerary quickly, covering distances, times and restrictions for provisional cargo bookings. Once the intended voyage has been confirmed, planning will commence in detail. The master should discuss an outline route with the navigation officer. The appraisal process will then take place, during which all relevant information will be collected from sources.

Information sources for passage planning include:

1. Chart catalogue.

2. Navigational charts.

3. Ocean passages for the world.

4. Routeing charts, pilot charts and IМО Ship's Routeing.

5. Sailing directions and pilot books.

6. Light lists.

7. Tide tables

8. Tidal stream atlases.

9. Notices to Mariners (Navareas, Hydrolants, Hydropacs).

10. Radio signal information (including VTS and pilot service).

11. Climatic information, meteorological and oceanographic data. Weather, seastate and ice forecasts.

12. Loadline chart.

13. Distance tables.

14. Electronic navigational systems information.

15. Radio and local warnings.

16. Owner's and other unpublished sources.

17. Manoeuvering data.

18. Personal experience.

19. Mariner’s Handbook.

20. Guide to Port Entry.

Vessel's status reports needed for passage planning include:

1. Main propulsion system.

2. Steering gear.

3. Navigational equipment.

4. Anchors.

5. Thrusters.

6. Auxiliaries.

7. Trim and draught of vessel and air draught.

8. Transverse stability.

9. The availability of manpower.

II. NOTES:

incorporate – объединять, включать, присоединять, соединять

fairlead - киповая планка, полуклюз

thrusters – подруливающее устройство

transverse stability – поперечная остойчивость

resilience – упругость, эластичность, ударная вязкость

cable – канат, якорная цепь, швартов, кабельтов

III. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1. What is essential for navigational discipline?

2. What is the purpose of passage planning?

3. Why do we need voyage itinerary?

4. What should the master discuss?

5. Where do navigators obtain necessary information?