Edition 2018

This key standard on passage planning has been updated to reflect the latest practices with regard to ECDIS, and shows how the same work is involved when appraising and planning whether for paper charts or on ECDIS.

Passage Planning Guidelines focuses on the Appraisal and Planning stages of voyage planning using traditional methods, paper charts and ECDIS, with a fully worked example based on paper charts. This updated edition incorporates the latest IHO S52 Performance Library 4.0 which came in to effect in Sep 2017 with advice on the significant operational impact of PL 4.0.

Chapter 1 – Introduction 1

1 Effective Passage Planning 1

1.1 Need for a Comprehensive Passage Plan 2

1.1.1 SOLAS Regulation 34 2

1.1.2 STCW Code 2

1.1.3 Safety Management System 2

1.1.4 IMO Resolution A.893(21) 2

1.2 The Four Stages of Planning 3

1.3 Responsibility 4

1.4 Key to Symbols 5

Chapter 2 – Appraisal 7

2 Gathering Information 7

2.1 Carriage Requirements for Charts and Nautical Publications 8

2.2 Preliminary Research 9

2.2.1 Preliminary Research – Destination 10

2.2.2 Preliminary Research – Weather and Environment 20

2.2.3 Preliminary Research – Passage Planning Guides 29

2.2.4 Preliminary Research – Nautical Publications, Charts, Update and Review 31

2.2.5 Preliminary Research – Other Considerations 44

2.3 Appraisal Report 48

Chapter 3 – Passage Planning on Paper Charts 49

3 Planning 49

3.1 Voyage Overview 49

3.2 Chart Preparation 50

3.3 Tracks 53

3.4 Speed 54

3.5 Pilotage Stage 55

3.5.1 Pilotage Chart Preparation 55

3.5.2 Tracks 56

3.6 Port Approaches 57

3.7 Coastal and Ocean Passages 58

3.7.1 Passage Charts 58

3.7.2 Distances to Clear Hazards 58

3.7.3 Tracks for Coastal and Ocean Passages 58

3.7.4 Tracks in Traffic Separation Schemes (TSS) 58

3.7.5 Mariners’ Routeing Guides 60

3.7.6 Planning Particular to a Canal Transit 61

3.7.7 Ocean Passage Tracks 61

3.7.8 Additional Considerations for an Ocean Passage 62

3.7.9 Passage Planning Sheet 62

3.8 Risk Assessment 63

3.9 Completion of the Planning Stage 64

3.10 Coastal Passage – Example 65

Chapter 4 – Passage Planning on ECDIS 81

4 Effective Use of ECDIS 81

4.1 ECDIS Functionality 84

4.2 Display Configuration 85

4.2.1 ECDIS Planning Settings 85iv

4.2.2 Safety Contour 85

4.2.3 ENC Display 88

4.2.4 Route Options 92

4.3 Route Creation 93

4.3.1 New Route 93

4.3.2 Adding Waypoints 95

4.3.3 Adjusting Waypoints 97

4.3.4 Multiple Routes 105

4.3.5 Route Table 107

4.4 Supplementary Information 109

4.5 Manual Updates 112

4.6 Route Check 112

4.6.1 Configuration 113

4.6.2 Conducting the Route Check 115

4.6.3 Visual Check 119

4.7 Detailed Briefing 120

4.8 ECDIS References 121

Annexes 123

Annex A – Example Appraisal Report Format 123

Annex B – Passage Planning Checklists 125

Annex C – ECDIS Planning Checklists 131

Annex D – Parallel Indexing 137

Annex E – Example Passage Plan Worksheet Format 140

Annex F – Example of Passage Planning Notes 141

Annex G – Safety Depth and Safety Contours 142

Annex H – Learning from Incidents 146

Annex I – List of Useful Publications 151