Ocean Passage Planning

Publications- AMN Volumes I – IV- FLOO’s- FOS- Admiralty Distance Tables- Ocean Passages for the World- Routeing Charts- RNCP9- PLAGO’s

- Distance between ports of arrival and departure- Tidal Information- Recommendation from sailing directions- Traffic Separation Schemes- Forecast weather- Sunrise / Sunset- Fixing methods available- Range and visibility of lights- Navigation Work Book

Details Of DepartureETD ETATidal Data Tidal DataSunrise / Sunset Sunrise / Sunset

Notes on Entry

Passage DetailsDistances / RoutesCharts RequiredSunrise / SunsetTidal StreamStandard CalculationsOcean CurrentsPorts Working Hours

FactorsETD / ETATidal RestrictionsPorts Working HoursAdministration Details i.e. Store Ship

Weather en routeFog / low visibility (slow speeds)Prevailing Wind (Flying ops)

Effect on speed of rough weather

Choice of routeTraffic Separation SchemeShipping

- Fishing- Traffic bottlenecks- Land on starboard side- Narrow channels- Canals- Areas of heavy traffic

Operations / Exercises en route- RAS / RV’s- Firings- Power trials- MOBEX- OOW Manoeuvres- Machinery Breakdowns

Territorial Limits- Detailed in Annual Summary of Notices to Mariners- DIPCLEAR- Right of innocent passage

Fuel- Fuel Demands (FLOOs)- Economical Speeds- Consumption data- Fuel allocation in FOS

Gash disposal- MARPOL regulations- Special areas

Distance off dangers- Minimise risk of grounding- Close enough to ID shore marks- Under keel clearance

Routeing Charts- Routes and charts between ports- Ocean currents- Wind roses- Ice limits- Air / dew point / sea temperatures

- Barometric pressure- Incidence of fog / gales / storms

Great circle / composite track

Plan on one small scale chart then transfer to the largest usable chart.Indicate:

- DTR (Distance to run)- Time of course alterations- Tidal stream currents- RV’s- Sunrise / Sunset

Passage Graph

Signals- Request NAVMOVE (FLOO 1301, RNCP9)- Mail Diversion Signal (RNCP9)- NAVTRACK (Especially when travelling with other units)- DIPCLEAR (CB3012, FLAGO, BR2)- Visit Letter (FLAGO)- LOGREQ (RNCP9, FLOO)- Request Trax / Spax (FLOO)- RAS Signal (App 4, ATP16)- Operation Signals (with navigation input)

In Company- Co-ordinated entry / departure signals- Navtrack points- Intentions

On Passage- Nav PIM Signals (RNCP9, FLOO)- Met Reports (FLOO)- Oceanographic Reports (FLOO)

Port Guides