PASSAGE PLANNING


Part of the International Convention for the Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS) regulations requires all skippers to plan their passage, considering:


The weather The tides


The limitations of the vessel The crew


Navigational hazards A contingency plan Leaving information ashore


Use RYA Chart 3


1. You are planning a short passage from Rawmarsh Marina to Upper Town Quay, Farlow River in your motor cruiser on Tuesday, 6th August. With you will be two inexperienced crew members. The average cruising speed is 20-25 kts in smooth water, the draught is 1.1m and the air draft is 3.5m. The weather forecast is northerly Force 3 or 4, decreasing to 2 later, good visibility with a slight sea.


a) What is the approximate distance and passage time? b) When is HW Victoria?


c) Why is it a good idea for the motor cruiser to travel south when the tidal stream is south going? When does the tidal stream become south going?


d) Are there any access problems to the Farlow River and the Upper Town Quay? e) Is it possible to leave Rawmarsh at any time? f) When will you leave on passage? g) Make an outline route plan to include waypoints and hazards to monitor during the passage. h) Is this a suitable passage considering the weather forecast and the crew? i) What is your contingency plan?


2. Before leaving the berth or mooring the boat and the crew need to be prepared for sea. Many skippers have their own checklist for this. Suggest eight things to go on a checklist for a sailing boat or a motor cruiser.


19


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24