Passage Planning

[Fugazi]

I was chatting to a friend Sunday and he mentioned passage planning and the requirement to file one every time you leave port. I must admit that the closest I

[Brian]

Tricky for a fishing trip, when you're likely to change plans depending on how the fishing is going.

You could be in the situation where you're constantly updating it. Unless for example "Intend fishing somewhere in Poole Bay" is good enough.

[TomBettle]

B***cks!

 

It is certainly good practise to write a passage plan and let loved ones etc know of your intentions, but the coastguard and or port would get mighty miffed if every single boat leaving a harbour gave them the full details.

 

On longer journeys I have sometimes let the coastguard know where I am going to and when I expect to be back, but no more.

 

That comment sounds more like something for the Merchant Navy, where you will have a full passage plan which the port will have.

 

Tom

[blueboatdriver]

Imagine how busy their phone would be on a hot weekend in August

[Brian]

My usual practice is to tell SWMBO where I'm going and what time I'll be back. Sometimes I might tell the Coatguard I'll be in the Poole Bay Area for the day, but it does mean having to remember to sign off at the end of the day.

[Fugazi]

I have been looking this up on the web and I think what is required is that

 

1. You have made a check list of all the essential equipment required for the passage you intend to make, i.e. life jackets, flares, radio, charts, etc, etc.

 

2. That you have them on board.

 

3. You have made a log with weather forecast, tidal information and route plan of where you going ETA's etc included.

 

4. Risk mitigation i.e. escape plan to nearest safe haven if things get nasty, back up engine, paddles, bailer and so on.

 

5. You dont need to file it each time, but you should be able to provide it if you're rescued as it could be used in court. Without it you could be considered negligent!

 

As skipper you have a duty of care to all on board to ensure adequate precautions have been made to maintain their safety.

 

Gordon H

 

 

 

 

[TomBettle]

Pretty good Gordon, that is about it.

 

We did a bit with everyone's favourite magazine ( ), Sea Angler which is in this months edition about long haul trips. That covers most of the basics.

 

Tom

[shytalk]

look up solas regs they changed a few years ago and the rules apply to all craft not just commercial

[Adam F]

....indeed - during my DSC VHF course last year this is what you are taught - a passage plan must be used for each and every journey.

 

I feel however it is a bit like when you are taught to 'check' your car each trip when you do your driving licence - how many of us check the tire wear for instance.

 

I feel once again common sense previals. My passage plan only ever involves letting the CG know my boat name, time of leaving, rough idea of what I am doing (ie fishing in Poole Bay) and an ETA. They are ALWAYS grateful for this as it is there job to do so and is likey to save alot of time and money should an emergancy situaton involving you every occur.

 

Adam

[jack]

When I fish out of Barmouth in North wales,I have my boat on the "small craft register". this gives coastguard/harbourmaster details of your craft. I assume it is still operative,and if not ,I am sure someone will tell us. ps. I havent done it locally,it never occurred to me until now.. jack

[duncan]

Another great thread.........

 

As Peter points out this is a SOLASV requirement

 

As many have said it doesn't have to be written down but everyone raises the spectre of 'an incident'...........

 

It is nothing to do with the CG, logging or calling in a passage etc

 

It is everything to do with 'the considerations to be made by the skipper on leaving 'sheltered waters - which are excluded from the regs but not, an Adam says, from any common sense approach.

 

The solent is classified as sheltered water, as are Poole and Christchurch Harbours. Once you have left either of these the requirements apply to you (in any craft).

 

Gordon's list is sensible but the regulations have some specifics that aren't explicitly on there -

Fuel

Consideration of the comfort as well as the safety of 'crew'

Weather, tide and your route should be 'computed' into expected conditions

 

Jack - the small craft register was the forerunner of the CG66 and initially held locally at each station. Now computerised the database is nationally accessable by each station. You can update your records online, including adding a picture of your boat! In fact you have to update it every 24months or they claim they will remove your entry (but I doubt it!). There was a thread on here about it including the links etc etc