Voyage Passage Planning Checklist
This voyage passage planning checklist ensures compliance with SOLAS Chapter V/34 (Voyage and Passage Planning), Resolution A.893(21) (Guidelines for Voyage Planning), and STCW officer of the watch bridge watchkeeping requirements. Every voyage must have an approved passage plan from berth to berth covering appraisal, planning, execution, and monitoring phases before departure.
- Industry: Maritime
- Frequency: Per Voyage
- Estimated Time: 1-2 hours
- Role: Master / Chief Officer / Officer of the Watch
- Total Items: 30
- Compliance: SOLAS Chapter V/34 Voyage and Passage Planning, IMO Resolution A.893(21) Guidelines for Voyage Planning, STCW Section A-VIII/2 Bridge Watchkeeping, UKHO NP100 Admiralty Manual of Navigation, Company SMS Voyage Planning Procedures
Appraisal Phase
Gather all relevant information before planning.
- All charts for route corrected to latest NtM?
- Pilot books, sailing directions, and tide tables current?
- NAVTEX and navigational warnings checked for route?
- Meteorological forecast obtained for entire voyage duration?
- Departure, en-route, and arrival drafts confirmed?
Planning Phase
Route selection and waypoint planning.
- All waypoints entered and verified on ECDIS/chart plotter?
- Under-keel clearance (UKC) calculated at all shallow water waypoints?
- ECDIS safety contour and depth alarm set correctly?
- No-go areas, abort points, and wheel-over positions plotted?
- Parallel indexing lines set for critical passages?
Critical Areas
High-risk passage segments.
- Pilotage requirements confirmed for all ports and canals?
- Tidal windows calculated for shallow port approaches?
- VTS reporting obligations for restricted waters noted?
- Ice routing and ice class restrictions checked for polar routes?
- High Risk Area (piracy) procedures planned if applicable?
Master Review and Approval
Plan review and sign-off.
- Master reviewed and approved the passage plan?
- All OOWs briefed on passage plan and critical areas?
- Contingency anchorages and ports of refuge identified?
- Coast guard and VTS frequencies noted for each leg?
- Approved plan posted on bridge for OOW reference?
Execution and Monitoring
Voyage monitoring.
- Position monitoring method and frequency defined?
- Cross-track error limits set and helm orders documented?
- Position logged at required intervals in deck log?
- Any deviations from approved plan recorded with reason?
- Plan updated if significant changes to weather or conditions?
Passage Planning Records
Documentation.
- Completed passage plan retained for minimum 3 months?
- Any grounding near-miss or navigation incidents formally documented?
- Chart corrections log up to date?
- Voyage report submitted to company with any navigationally significant observations?
- Passage Planning Notes
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Why Use This Voyage Passage Planning Checklist?
This voyage passage planning checklist helps maritime teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for master / chief officer / officer of the watch professionals, this checklist covers 30 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: per voyage.
Ensures compliance with SOLAS Chapter V/34 Voyage and Passage Planning, IMO Resolution A.893(21) Guidelines for Voyage Planning, STCW Section A-VIII/2 Bridge Watchkeeping, UKHO NP100 Admiralty Manual of Navigation, Company SMS Voyage Planning Procedures. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Voyage Passage Planning Checklist?
A Voyage Passage Planning Checklist is a standardized inspection form used by master / chief officer / officer of the watch to ensure consistent maritime operations. It contains 35 inspection points organized into 6 sections. FREE voyage passage planning checklist PDF. SOLAS V/34 passage planning requirements, UKHO chart corrections, ECDIS route planning, under-keel clearance UKC calculations, waypoint verification compliance. 35+ passage planning checks. Download FREE template now.
How often should I use this maritime checklist?
This checklist is designed to be completed per voyage. Regular use ensures compliance with SOLAS Chapter V/34 Voyage and Passage Planning and IMO Resolution A.893(21) Guidelines for Voyage Planning and helps identify issues before they become problems.
Can I download this Voyage Passage Planning Checklist as a PDF?
Yes, you can download this checklist as a FREE PDF for printing or offline use. The checklist includes 35 fields across 6 sections and typically takes 1-2 hours to complete.
What compliance standards does this checklist cover?
This checklist helps ensure compliance with SOLAS Chapter V/34 Voyage and Passage Planning, IMO Resolution A.893(21) Guidelines for Voyage Planning, STCW Section A-VIII/2 Bridge Watchkeeping, UKHO NP100 Admiralty Manual of Navigation, Company SMS Voyage Planning Procedures. Following these standards protects your organization and ensures best practices.
How do I complete this maritime inspection checklist?
Begin by completing the header fields for Vessel Name, Plan Prepared Date/Time, Planner Name / Rank, Departure Port / Berth, and Destination Port / Berth. Work through each of the 6 sections, marking items Yes or No as applicable. Add notes for any issues found. The entire process takes approximately 1 to 2 hours.
What are the key sections in this maritime checklist?
This maritime checklist is organized into 6 key sections: Appraisal Phase, Planning Phase, Critical Areas, Master Review and Approval, Execution and Monitoring, Passage Planning Records. Each section contains specific inspection points that master / chief officer / officer of the watch must verify. The structured layout ensures nothing is missed during maritime inspections and makes the process efficient, typically taking 1-2 hours to complete.
Who should use this Voyage Passage Planning Checklist?
This checklist is primarily designed for master / chief officer / officer of the watch working in maritime operations. However, it is also valuable for quality assurance teams, safety officers, compliance managers, and supervisors who need to verify that maritime standards are being met. Organizations of all sizes can benefit from using this Voyage Passage Planning Checklist to maintain consistency and accountability.