Passage Planning — What It Means in Maritime Navigation | Maritime Encyclopedia

Passage Planning: What It Means

Passage planning is the complete planning of a ship’s voyage before it begins — not just drawing a line on a chart, but a structured process that anticipates every hazard, contingency, and requirement from the berth you’re leaving to the berth you’re arriving at.

The Four Stages

Stage 1: Appraisal

Gathering all information needed for the voyage:

Relevant charts (nautical charts, current editions)
Sailing directions (Pilot books) and Light Lists
Tidal stream atlases and tide tables
Notices to Mariners (check for recent corrections)
Radio navigational warnings
Weather forecasts and routing services
Company routeing instructions
Port entry requirements (draught limits, pilot, tug requirements)
Traffic Separation Schemes in the area
Areas to avoid (shoals, fishing areas, prohibited areas)

Stage 2: Planning

Creating the actual voyage plan:

Plot the route on charts, waypoint by waypoint
Calculate courses, distances, ETAs
Mark no-go areas (danger areas where ship must not go under any circumstances)
Mark decision points (where you commit to entering a port or turning back)
Plan contingency anchorages and emergency routes
Calculate fuel, water, stores requirements
Document all bridge orders

Stage 3: Execution

Carrying out the plan:

OOW follows the approved plan
Deviations only with Master’s authority
All changes recorded in bridge log
Master called at pre-agreed reporting points

Stage 4: Monitoring

Checking progress continuously:

Position fixed at regular intervals
Track against planned track
ETA vs actual progress
Weather monitoring
Any deviation from plan reviewed and updated

Why Passage Planning Matters

Most marine accidents involve a failure of passage planning:

Unknown shoal not identified during appraisal
No contingency plan when weather deteriorated
No decision point marked — committed to port entry in unsafe conditions
Outdated charts used — reef not charted on old edition

Port State Control inspectors frequently check voyage plans. A ship without a proper berth-to-berth plan is a deficiency — can result in detention.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the four stages of passage planning?

The four stages are: (1) Appraisal — gathering all relevant information about the voyage; (2) Planning — creating the actual voyage plan on charts; (3) Execution — sailing the planned route; (4) Monitoring — continuously checking the ship's progress against the plan and making adjustments.

Who is responsible for passage planning?

The Master is ultimately responsible for the voyage plan, but the preparation is usually done by the Chief Officer or Navigator. The plan must be reviewed and approved by the Master before departure. On SOLAS vessels, the plan must cover the entire voyage berth to berth.

What information is required in a passage plan?

A passage plan must include: charts to be used (scale and edition), waypoints, courses and distances, sea areas to avoid (traffic separation, ice, shoals), speed and ETA calculations, fuel consumption, weather routing, port approach procedures, pilot and tug arrangements, contingency plans, and no-go areas.

Is passage planning mandatory for all ships?

SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 34 requires passage planning for all ships on international voyages. Domestic voyages have national regulations. IMO Resolution A.893(21) provides guidance. STCW requires all OOW deck officers to demonstrate passage planning competency.