PALOMPON INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation

NAV 7
Voyage Planning

EXERCISE NO. 5
LAYING-OFF COURSES ON THE CHART

Yr / Sec / Grp : IIIA-1 Vessel : Superium Maersk

Name of Members :

1. Identify predicted areas of danger and mark on charts.

a. Establish the value for UKC Limit according to the provided policy:

In Open Shallow 25% of ship’s draft

In Narrow Channel 15% of ship’s draft
At Berth 10% of ship’s draft

b. From the courses on smaller scale charts and with extra information from publications such as
“Sailing Directions, IMO Routeing Guide and Ocean Passages of the World”, identify the
hazards, NO GO Areas, conspicuous shore objects and other factors that may affect the
passage. Mark items like these on the charts:
- Conspicuous points: used for visual or radar position fixing
- Cross Index Ranges (CIR) for parallel indexing
- Margins of Safety. Maximum cross-track error allowed
- Waypoint Number (WPT) with Distance to Go (DTG). DO NOT WRITE THE LATITUDE
& LONGITUDE.
- Highlight NOTES for the attention of the watchkeeping officers
- Calculate Tidal Streams, enter them into the chart, Highlight tidal diamonds (if applicable)
and draw an arrow in the set direction
- Mark predicted areas of danger or “NO GO” Areas
- Mark areas where depth is critical and the echo sounder is required

c. In marking the charts, refer to the attachment “Chartwork Legend” for patterns, symbols and
abbreviations.

d. On a separate notebook, record items marked on charts, reference(s) to publication and other
important items.

Information should be noted under the following heading:

- Coastal features for position fixing. Example: Lights, RACONS and nature of coastline)
- Directions, for the passage through the identified leg
- Hazards, as identified from ASD, weather information
- Tides/tidal streams/currents. As calculated or obtained from Tide Tables, Tidal Stream
Atlases
- Additional information. Example: piracy/armed robbery, with reference to ASD or ALRS
- IMO Routeing Guide. If there are routeing measures and reporting systems in the area,
use this publication to obtain information and include in the bridge notebook.

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 2. Lay-off courses, clear of hazards and dangers
a. Lay the charts in sequence and mark the sequence number on the back of the charts so that
they can stay in the correct order.

Perform the following tasks:

b. Lay-off courses that are clear of dangers, as recommended by Sailing Directions. Complete the
“Passage Planning Notebook” and fill in the Plan Sheet. Remember that the courses should be
laid down from berth-to-berth.

c. Once the courses are laid down, mark:

- Course (T) and distance with each leg.
- Waypoint Numbers (WPT) along with Distance to Go (DTG)
- Wheel over points*
- Wheel over points, ranges and bearings of landmarks used*
- CIR for parallel indexing
- Clearing bearings/lines, to clear a specific hazard, particularly when making approaches in
narrow channels
- Cross track errors / margins of safety
- Pilot boarding / disembarkation position(s)
- Speed reduction points
- Abort points / points of no return
- The sequence of charts for the passage
- The set and rate of current, height of tide
- The next chart and its number
- Transit bearings (for quick check of compass error)
- The position on the chart where it will be necessary to switch on certain navigational aids,
such as the echo sounder
- Navigational warnings and T&Ps as taken from NTMs
- Specific meteorological condition available. (example: dust storms, restricted visibility,
sea, swell and wind conditions)
- Areas where specific environmental protection considerations apply
- If the chart datum is not WGS 84, it must be highlighted to make the watch officers aware
of it
- Minimum UKC required, particularly in shallow areas
- References to contingency plans for alternative actions to maintain safety of life,
environment, vessel and cargo

**refer to examples provided in the book: Passage Planning Practice

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