Passage Planning Guidelines 2021 - Incorporating Safe Nav Watch, Teamwork on the Nav Bridge

Passage Planning Guidelines incorporates three publications:

Passage Planning Guidelines (183 pages)
Safe Nav Watch (166 pages)
Teamwork on the Nav Bridge (52 pages)

Passage Planning Guidelines focuses on the Appraisal and Planning stages of voyage planning using traditional methods, paper charts and ECDIS, with fully worked examples throughout.

Safe Nav Watch provides guidance on safe bridge watchkeeping and best practice for the Officer of the Watch (OOW).

Teamwork on the Nav Bridge is based on original text from a leading trainer of cockpit resource management, which has been fully revised and updated to reflect the key factors on bridge resource management and why it is essential when forming the bridge team.

Passage Planning Guidelines

Introduction

1 Effective Passage Planning

Passage planning is a process that requires skill and meticulous research. It is not something that should be taken lightly as it carries responsibility for the safety of the ship. The consequences of omitting information and/or failing to safely plan the passage can be serious.

The navigation officer preparing the passage plan (navigator) must be diligent and seek to produce a comprehensive and detailed ‘berth to berth’ plan based on a full appraisal, taking into account all possibilities and eventualities, while reducing navigational risk.

An effective passage plan, whether it is completed using paper charts or ECDIS, must:

• Establish appropriate safety settings for each stage of the voyage, taking into account the

• requirements of the SMS

• clearly define a safe navigational route from berth to berth
• be comprehensive and contain an appropriate level of detail
• reduce navigational risks and include contingency options
• satisfy environmental protection requirements
• be checked visually and electronically
• be reviewed and approved by the Master
• be easy to follow, allowing safe and efficient execution and monitoring of the plan.

Safe Nav Watch

Introduction

This publication provides guidance on safe navigational watchkeeping and highlights potential issues and pitfalls. It is based on advice and guidance from experienced mariners, reinforced by best practice.

Safe navigation is now more important than ever, as:

• Every mistake is a potential human and environmental catastrophe
• Masters and officers can be faced with fines, if incompetence is proved, as well as potential imprisonment
• incidents can result in reputational damage and financial loss for companies
• every mistake is scrutinised by a global media audience and even small errors are now shown in videos online.

Navigation is still an art despite the fact that it is increasingly dominated by technology:

• Watchkeeping in the digital age presents the same challenges but in different forms
• technology does not diminish the importance of watchkeeping and maintaining a proper lookout
• the principles of navigation have not changed, particularly the monitoring of the ship’s position along a prepared route
• the four stages of passage planning are just as critical, whether using ECDIS or paper charts.

Teamwork on the Nav Bridge

1. Introduction

Much of the content of this book is abridged from ‘Navigating the Human Element’ by Captain Timothy Crowch, who brings over 40 years’ experience of commercial aviation and 10 years working with the maritime industry. It has been further developed for inclusion in this publication with the author’s permission. As an expert investigator, he was involved in a number of high-profile investigations into aviation related accidents and incidents. His experience and advanced training led him to develop and produce safety awareness training, education and accident prevention programmes for complex industries including insurance, aviation, maritime and healthcare.

Passage Planning Guidelines

Chapter 1 – Introduction
1 Effective Passage Planning

Chapter 2 – Appraisal
2 Gathering Information

Chapter 3 – Passage Planning on Paper Charts
3 Planning using Paper Charts

Chapter 4 – Passage Planning on ECDIS
4 Planning using ECDIS

Chapter 5 – Annexes

Safe Nav Watch

Chapter 1 Bridge Equipment (Carriage Requirements)

Chapter 2 Bridge Equipment (Overview and Usage)

Chapter 3 Prerequisites for Watchkeepers

Chapter 4 Bridge Practices – At All Times

Chapter 5 Bridge Practices – Coastal Navigation

Chapter 6 Emergencies

Chapter 7 Lessons from Navigation Incidents

Chapter 8 Bridge Preparedness

Teamwork on the Nav Bridge

1. Introduction

1.1 What do we Mean by ‘Human Error’?

1.2 Defences Against the Consequences of ‘Human Error’

1.3 Bridge Resource Management (BRM)

1.4 Working with a Pilot On Board

1.5 Keeping Fit for Duty

1.6 Fatigue