Question 1

What are the four stages of passage planning under the IMO/MCA framework?

Accepted Answer

Appraisal, Planning, Execution, Monitoring. IMO Resolution A.893(21) Voyage Planning: the four stages are: APPRAISAL, gather all information relevant to the voyage; PLANNING, plan the detailed route, marking hazards, clearing lines, waypoints, contingency plans; EXECUTION, follow the plan, maintaining a navigational watch; MONITORING, continuously compare actual position against plan, update for changed circumstances. Known as APEM.

Question 2

What should a passage plan include beyond the primary route?

Accepted Answer

Contingency ports, no-go areas, safe water depths, highlighted hazards, tidal gates, weather windows, emergency contacts and search and rescue information.. A complete passage plan includes: primary route with waypoints; CONTINGENCY PORTS (bolt holes) along route; NO-GO AREAS marked on chart; minimum safe depth lines; tidal gates (times when tidal conditions allow/restrict passage); weather windows; anticipated tidal streams; communications plan (check-in times, contacts); emergency: MRCC contact, nearest SAR facilities, vessel description for SAR. The plan should cover the full voyage including what happens if things go wrong.

Question 3

What are 'bolt holes' in passage planning and why are they important?

Accepted Answer

Contingency ports or anchorages along the planned route, identified before departure, that can be entered safely if weather deteriorates during the passage.. BOLT HOLES: alternative safe havens along the passage route identified during APPRAISAL/PLANNING phase, before departure. For each one: check: can you enter safely in the forecast/deteriorating conditions? What is the tidal state? Is there depth for your draught? Is it tenable in the expected wind direction? Having pre-identified bolt holes allows the skipper to make calm, informed decisions during a passage if weather deteriorates, rather than scrambling to find a harbour under pressure.

Passage Planning, questions and explanations

What are the four stages of passage planning under the IMO/MCA framework?

What should a passage plan include beyond the primary route?

What are 'bolt holes' in passage planning and why are they important?

Practise this properly

Passage Planning, questions and explanations

Questions

What are the four stages of passage planning under the IMO/MCA framework?

What should a passage plan include beyond the primary route?

What are 'bolt holes' in passage planning and why are they important?

Practise this properly