imo res

IMO resolution A.893 (1)

Guidelines for voyage planning:

A plan must be developed.

So that the progress of the ship can be monitored during the execution of the plan.

It is critical for the safety of life at sea and the efficiency (fuel wise) of Navigation.

It also considers the marine environment.

In some plans there are additional factors to consider for large vessels or for vessels with hazardous cargo.

But the need for passage and voyage planning applies to all ships.

There are four stages to a passage plan

1)      The appraisal: This is where you gather all the relevant information for the contemplated passage.

2)      A detailed plan of the whole voyage is required from Berth-Berth, including those areas where a pilot is on board.

3)      Execution

4)      The monitoring of the progress of the vessel in the implementation of the plan.

Appraisal: All the information for the contemplated voyage should be considered.

Seaworthiness:  The condition and the state of the vessel, its stability and its equipment.

Any operational limitations, the permissible draught at sea and in any fairways/ports.

The ship’s manoeuvring data and any restrictions on the vessels ability to steer, stop etc.

What is the vessels turning circle and stopping distance.

IMDG: Any special characteristics of the cargo.

STCW/MLC and fit for duty. The requirement of a competent and well-rested crew for the voyage.

Requirements for certificates, documents, covering the vessel, its equipment, crew , passengers or cargo.

Appropriate scale, accurate and up to date charts and publications to be used for the intended passage.

Permanent and Temp warnings: N2M as well as any existing radio navigational warnings to establish if they need to be incorporated into the plan.

Accurate and up to date sailing directions, ALLFS, ALRS and any radio aids to NAV.

Routeing guides

Passage planning charts

Tidal atlases and tidal tables.

You will also require climatological, hydrographical and oceanographic data: As well as other appropriate meteorological information. You will find this in routeing charts, the ocean passages for the world, as well as volume D of the world meteorological organization’s publication No.9)

This gives information of the availability of services for weather routeing.

Looking at ship’s routeing is also important, as are the pilot books for figuring out routes, reporting systems, VTS and marine protection measures: such as special measures for whales for example.

Pilotage in the appraisal you need to think about information relating to pilotage and the embarkation and disembarkation procedures, as well as the master-pilot exchange.

It’s also good to get an idea of the shore-based emergency response arrangements and equipment.

Using as much information you can relevant to the intended voyage an overall appraisal of the passage and it’s intended voyage should take place.

It should indicate all areas of danger.

Safe areas: Including areas where routeing systems and reporting systems are in place and VTS.

Areas where marine environmental protection measures apply.

Seaworthy: A vessel is seaworthy if its parts/equipment, crew and ship are fit for their intended purpose and it is operated by a competent crew so that it can face any normal perils of the sea.

Admiralty tide tables: These give tidal information on ports.

Heights and time predictions for primary ports as well as how to use that information for secondary ports.

Harmonic constants, methods of prediction and info about the meteorological and how gravity effects tides so information on neaps and springs.

Spring: faster rate, full/no moon. Highest highs and lowest lows.

Neap tide: moderate tide, where the sun and the moon are at right angles.

The appraisal requires you to look at the publications and think what sort of information can obtain from the appraisal to go into the plan:

ALLFS: Lights and fog signals as well as table to assist the mariner in finding the GR and the LR.

LR: The maximum distance that a light can be seen given the current visibility.

GR: The LR  but it factors in the HOE, height of the str. (from the focal plane to CD (MHWS) and the curvature of the earth the range is in M http://www.sailingissues.com/navcourse9.html

See for lights. The height of the light is from the CD used for elevations. Often MHWS

ALRS:

V1: This details coastal stations and maritime radio stations for GMDSS (VHF, MF, HF etc).

V2: Radio aids, DGPS, legal time and radio time signals, EPFS.

RACONS, and radio beacons transmitting DGPS corrections.

V3: MSI services and some NAVTEX services.

Maritime weather and safety information.

Worldwide NAVTEX: or navigational telex.

Safetynet info

Navtex is a MF direct-printing service to deliver navigational and met warnings and forecasts and urgent MSI to ships.

NAVAREA

Types of messages

Format

Safetynet is used for the transmission of MSI, it is an EGC system for MSI for areas where the navtex range is in coverage of Inmarsat satellites.

MSI@ Navigational and met warnings to ships and other safety related info.

V4) Meteorology observation stations

V5) GMDSS (navtex also), worldwide communications for distress, SAR, SOLAS what is GMDSS?

ITU: regulations and distress and SAR (MRCC and MRSC).

EGC: It provides a worldwide satellite system of safetynet/fleetnet messages.

V6) For pilot services and VTS and port operations. Including contact details and procedures as well as national and international ship reporting systems, like AMVER for example.

ITU lists: MMSI and ship stations info: Maritime mobile service identity.

Your unique station identity.

Useful general publications:

SOLAS V R34

BPG

Bridge team management

A285(1)

The passage plan is to be berth-berth a pilot doesn’t relieve you of your duties or your responsibilities.

The pilot has his duties for safety etc but the oow still has his duties and obligations to the safety of the ship.

He must work closely with the pilot and notify the master and act before the master arrives if necessary.

Planning: after the fullest appraisal possible we are to construct a detailed plan. It should be prepared from Berth-berth including piloted areas.

Plan:

Intended route/track of the voyage on appropriate and up to date and correction charts (up to date and corrected charts and publications).

The True course and other areas of danger.

Exsiting ship’s routeing and reporting systems, VTS.

Also consider SECA and special environmental consideration areas.

You need to ensure:

SOLAS

Safety and efficiency of navigation

MARPOL

So you must have a safe speed( rule 6)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

 Barry Sadler’s passage planning:

Passage planning is a fundamental requirement for safe navigation under SOLAS V and the MS safety of navigation regulations 2002.

To ensure that a safe route is ultimately followed.

Planning of the voyage in it’s entirety must consider ship critical factors such as limitations of the vessel concerned, cargo, charter parties and compliance with MLC and other conventions.

The planning may be delegated by the Master to a deck officer, but it remains the direct responsibility of the Master.

The four SOLAS requirements that fall under the direct responsibility of the master:

Passage planning

Mandatory reporting

Proceeding to distress

Reporting navigational dangers

As passage planning is a SOLAS V regulation related to navigational safety, the requirements ‘extend to all ships that proceed to sea on any voyage’.

Flag states can exempt certain size vessels however from some regulations.

The MCA has published guidance on SOLAS V http://solasv.mcga.gov.uk/

The Master is the representative of the flag state and must ensure that the vessel complies with SOLAS V flag laws.

But the Master ‘shall’ under the four requirements above.

See 94 of 580.

The intended voyage must be planned in accordance with Flag laws, and IMO guidelines IMO resolution 893(1) APEM.

The resolution ensures that you can easily comply with the IMO requirements in SOLAS V, and APEM is a fundamental principle to safe and successful voyage planning.

SOLAS V R34 puts the responsibility on the Master, and must ensure that it meets flag state requirements (by adhering to the ship’s SMS) as well as the A893 resolution. The resolution puts into place the APEM principle. So it is required by SOLAS.

Appraisal:  The most important, to identify any risks within the voyage and too remove inherent risks to ensure a safe passage is undertaken. It also ensures the plan is safe.

You need to collate this information, then use this information to asses the upcoming voyage.

Information must be:

1.       Relevant

2.       Current

3.       Correct.

Sourced from the UKHO or the admiralty, as they are to be updated and corrected from weekly notices to Mariners as well as other Admiralty sources of correction. Appropriate to the voyage.

The latest edition.

The information must be up to date.

Through the weekly notices to mariners most UK publications are kept up to date.

SOLAS V R27 requires that a vessel carries publications that are corrected, which includes charts. So this is a legal requirement under UK law (MS Safety of Navigation Regulations).