OICNW-2-3A

Voyage planning

Function: Navigation at the operational level

Competence Knowledge, Understanding & Proficiency Task

Maintain a safe navigational watch

A2.3 The use of routeing in accordance with the General Provisions on Ships’ Routeing

Voyage planning

Assessed in: MT-4253 Watchkeeping using Full-Mission Bridge Simulator

Condition

On a ship, a full mission ship simulator, or in a navigation laboratory, when given a port of departure and a port of arrival more than 500 miles apart.

Behavior

Plan a voyage and review the voyage plan with the master and deck officers.

Standard

Appraisal -- The candidate’s plan took into account paragraph 2 of the annex to IMO Assembly Resolution A 893(21):

  1. The condition of the vessel, its stability, equipment, operational limitations, draft and maneuvering characteristics;
  2. Any special characteristics of the cargo and its stowage;
  3. Crew members competency and rest status;
  4. The status of all ship’s certificates and documents were up to date;
  5. Up to date charts of proper scale, and the latest notices to mariners and radio navigational warnings;
  6. Up to date coast pilots, sailing directions, and other information sources appropriate for the voyage;
  7. Relevant routing guides;
  8. Up to date tide and current tables and atlases;
  9. Weather information;
  10. Weather routing services;
  11. Ship reporting systems, VTS and environmental protection measures;
  12. Vessel traffic density for the route;
  13. Pilotage requirements and information exchange; and,
  14. Port information, including emergency response capability.

Planning --The candidate’s plan contained the following in accordance with paragraph 3 of the annex to IMO Assembly Resolution A 893(21):

  1. Courses plotted on the appropriately scaled charts noting the ETA at each way point, including the final way point;
  2. Courses and distances between way points were correctly calculated and indicated on the charts;
  3. The most direct route that avoided all hazards to navigation by the margin of safety of three miles;
  4. The areas of all required speed changes;
  5. The minimum under keel clearances in critical areas; positions requiring a change of machinery status;
  6. Waypoint of all course changes;
  7. The methods and frequency of position fixing, including areas requiring the highest accuracy;
  8. The positions and radio hailing frequencies or channels where port authorities, pilots and VTS services must be notified were noted on the relevant chart;
  9. The state of the tide and currents at the port of departure for the times of departure and transit were determined;
  10. Contingency plan for alternative actions in cases of emergency;
  11. The review of the voyage plan with the Master and deck officers.