Passage planning

Once onboard, the crew will be keen to set out. Don’t be rushed into planning the voyage and setting up the nav aids. Better still, do it at home and give yourself time to double check tidal information, fuel estimates and waypoints. Then it is just a case of adding the waypoints into the GPS and making a last check on the weather forecast.

From 2010, it will be necessary in European waters at least to file a crew list and route plan each time you set out to sea, so do this ahead of time and make sure that you carry passport/ID and sailing/radio qualification certificates along with your insurance documents and ship’s registration papers. Where to go? Decide on a final destination and ETA, then work back to pick rendevous or refuelling points, danger points and tidal gates, and refuge ports in the event of adverse weather or injury.

Departure port

• Passage plan

Destination port

• High and Low water times
• Depth restrictions over entrance bar or sill
• Local dangers – rocks, wrecks etc.
• Marina or harbour radio channel + telephone numbers
• Check shipping movements
• Pilotage plan to get into port.

Mooring

• Pre-book marina berth or visitors mooring
• Check anchorage – ground type, space and ferry arrangements.

List of destinations

• Distances between ports or waypoints
• Estimate passage time between points taking account of tidal stream
• Plot waypoints, traffic separation schemes, danger points and landmarks
• Estimate fuel consumption and add 20% safety margin.

Weather forecasts

• Listen to weather forecasts for 2–3 days beforehand and monitor depressions.

Food

• Plan menus and prepare food ahead of time
• Drinks – carry a minimum of 2 litres of water per person per day.

What to carry onboard

Charts of cruising area

• Almanac
• Tidal atlas
• Cruising guide
• Dividers
• Course plotter
• Pencils
• Eraser
• Pilot books.

Once onboard

• Enter waypoints into GPS course plotter
• Check latest weather forecast
• Decide go or no-go
• Check fuel and oil levels
• Crew safety briefing.

During passage

• Monitor speed, course, position and timings against passage plan
• Check fuel consumption
• Monitor engine instrument read-outs in ship’s log.
• Log weather and sea state and note any changes
• Crew – keep them informed and involved.

Fall back plan decision points

• Delays
• Weather change
• Tidal gates
• Crew issues

On arrival

• Radio, or call ahead to marina or harbour office and Customs
• Raise courtesy/Q flags
• Locate mooring, berth or anchorage
• Complete passage plan documentation and log.