1.1 The development of a plan for voyage or passage,
as well as the close and continuous monitoring of the vessel's progress
and position during the execution of such a plan, are of essential
importance for safety of life at sea, safety and efficiency of navigation
and protection of the marine environment.
1.2 The need for voyage and passage planning applies
to all vessels. There are several factors that may impede the safe
navigation of all vessels and additional factors that may impede the
navigation of large vessels or vessels carrying hazardous cargoes.
These factors will need to be taken into account in the preparation
of the plan and in the subsequent monitoring of the execution of the
plan.
1.3 Voyage and passage planning includes appraisal,
i.e. gathering all information relevant to the contemplated voyage
or passage; detailed planning of the whole voyage or passage from
berth to berth, including those areas necessitating the presence of
a pilot; execution of the plan; and the monitoring of the progress
of the vessel in the implementation of the plan. These components
of voyage/passage planning are analysed below.
2.1 All information relevant to the contemplated
voyage or passage should be considered. The following items should
be taken into account in voyage and passage planning:
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.1 the condition and state of the vessel, its
stability, and its equipment; any operational limitations; its permissible
draught at sea in fairways and in ports; its manoeuvring data, including
any restrictions;
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.2 any special characteristics of the cargo (especially
if hazardous), and its distribution, stowage and securing on board
the vessel;
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.3 the provision of a competent and well-rested
crew to undertake the voyage or passage;
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.4 requirements for up-to-date certificates and
documents concerning the vessel, its equipment, crew, passengers or
cargo;
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.5 appropriate scale, accurate and up-to-date
charts to be used for the intended voyage or passage, as well as any
relevant permanent or temporary notices to mariners and existing radio
navigational warnings;
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.6 accurate and up-to-date sailing directions,
lists of lights and lists of radio aids to navigation; and
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.7 any relevant up-to-date additional information,
including:
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.1 mariners' routeing guides and passage planning
charts, published by competent authorities;
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.2 current and tidal atlases and tide tables;
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.3 climatological, hydrographical, and oceanographic
data as well as other appropriate meteorological information;
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.4 availability of services for weather routeing
(such as that contained in Volume D of the World Meteorological Organization's
Publication No. 9);
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.5 existing ships' routeing and reporting systems,
vessel traffic services, and marine environmental protection measures;
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.6 volume of traffic likely to be encountered
throughout the voyage or passage;
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.7 if a pilot is to be used, information relating
to pilotage and embarkation and disembarkation including the exchange
of information between master and pilot;
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.8 available port information, including information
pertaining to the availability of shore-based emergency response arrangements
and equipment; and
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.9 any additional items pertinent to the type
of the vessel or its cargo, the particular areas the vessel will traverse,
and the type of voyage or passage to be undertaken.
2.2 On the basis of the above information, an
overall appraisal of the intended voyage or passage should be made.
This appraisal should provide a clear indication of all areas of danger;
those areas where it will be possible to navigate safely, including
any existing routeing or reporting systems and vessel traffic services;
and any areas where marine environmental protection considerations
apply.
3.1 On the basis of the fullest possible appraisal,
a detailed voyage or passage plan should be prepared which should
cover the entire voyage or passage from berth to berth, including
those areas where the services of a pilot will be used.
3.2 The detailed voyage or passage plan should
include the following factors:
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.1 the plotting of the intended route or track
of the voyage or passage on appropriate scale charts: the true direction
of the planned route or track should be indicated, as well as all
areas of danger, existing ships' routeing and reporting systems, vessel
traffic services, and any areas where marine environmental protection
considerations apply;
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.2 the main elements to ensure safety of life
at sea, safety and efficiency of navigation, and protection of the
marine environment during the intended voyage or passage; such elements
should include, but not be limited to:
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.1 safe speed, having regard to the proximity
of navigational hazards along the intended route or track, the manoeuvring
characteristics of the vessel and its draught in relation to the available
water depth;
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.2 necessary speed alterations en route, e.g.,
where there may be limitations because of night passage, tidal restrictions,
or allowance for the increase of draught due to squat and heel effect
when turning;
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.3 minimum clearance required under the keel in
critical areas with restricted water depth;
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.4 positions where a change in machinery status
is required;
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.5 course alteration points, taking into account
the vessel's turning circle at the planned speed and any expected
effect of tidal streams and currents;
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.6 the method and frequency of position fixing,
including primary and secondary options, and the indication of areas
where accuracy of position fixing is critical and where maximum reliability
must be obtained;
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.7 use of ships' routeing and reporting systems
and vessel traffic services;
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.8 considerations relating to the protection of
the marine environment; and
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.9 contingency plans for alternative action to
place the vessel in deep water or proceed to a port of refuge or safe
anchorage in the event of any emergency necessitating abandonment
of the plan, taking into account existing shore-based emergency response
arrangements and equipment and the nature of the cargo and of the
emergency itself.
3.3 The details of the voyage or passage plan
should be clearly marked and recorded, as appropriate, on charts and
in a voyage plan notebook or computer disk.
3.4 Each voyage or passage plan as well as the
details of the plan, should be approved by the ships' master prior
to the commencement of the voyage or passage.
4.1 Having finalized the voyage or passage plan,
as soon as time of departure and estimated time of arrival can be
determined with reasonable accuracy, the voyage or passage should
be executed in accordance with the plan or any changes made thereto.
4.2 Factors which should be taken into account
when executing the plan, or deciding on any departure therefrom include:
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.1 the reliability and condition of the vessel's
navigational equipment;
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.2 estimated times of arrival at critical points
for tide heights and flow;
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.3 meteorological conditions, (particularly in
areas known to be affected by frequent periods of low visibility)
as well as weather routeing information;
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.4 daytime versus night-time passing of danger
points, and any effect this may have on position fixing accuracy;
and
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.5 traffic conditions, especially at navigational
focal points.
4.3 It is important for the master to consider
whether any particular circumstance, such as the forecast of restricted
visibility in an area where position fixing by visual means at a critical
point is an essential feature of the voyage or passage plan, introduces
an unacceptable hazard to the safe conduct of the passage; and thus
whether that section of the passage should be attempted under the
conditions prevailing or likely to prevail. The master should also
consider at which specific points of the voyage or passage there may
be a need to utilize additional deck or engine room personnel.
5.1 The plan should be available at all times
on the bridge to allow officers of the navigational watch immediate
access and reference to the details of the plan.
5.2 The progress of the vessel in accordance with
the voyage and passage plan should be closely and continuously monitored.
Any changes made to the plan should be made consistent with these
Guidelines and clearly marked and recorded.