Passage Plan+ Guide launched by marine insurer

Voyage and passage planning must be carried out for each vessel before departure. Every company has its own procedures and guidelines defining how it should be handled. 

Passage Plan+ Guide recommends robust communications, sharing pilotage plans before the marine pilot boards, using port cards with harbour-specific information about each vessel, plans for ship manoeuvring, mooring and towage, monitoring bridge teams and officers of the watch and voyage due diligence. 

“A robust and efficient voyage or passage plan can help the bridge team detect anomalies, errors and faults that could otherwise lead to grounding, contact or collision,” said The Swedish Club. 

“While no system is perfect, a prepared bridge team is better at detecting an issue before it is too late.” 

This needs to be a flexible system, enabling all bridge team members to contribute and analyse new information that could have an impact on ship safety and be adaptable, able to respond to constantly changing situations that occur during a vessel’s passage.