The Blueprint of a Voyage: Essentials of Passage Planning

"Hope is not a strategy." Why a successful trip begins before you untie the lines.

There is a saying I often repeat at Sailing Munich: "The sea does not forgive negligence."

A Passage Plan is not just a legal requirement (under SOLAS V regulations); it is the mental rehearsal of your voyage. As an architect creates a blueprint before laying a brick, a skipper must visualize the entire journey before starting the engine.

A proper plan is divided into three pillars: The Navigation, The Environment, and The Vessel.

1. Navigation: The Four Phases

You cannot just put a waypoint in the chart plotter and go. You must break the trip down.

• Pilotage Out (The Departure): How do you get from your berth to open water? Identify the hazards, the channel markers, and the traffic density.

• The Crossing (The Middle): This is the open water phase. What is your magnetic course? What are your bail-out ports if things go wrong?

• Pilotage In (The Arrival): You are often arriving tired and in the dark. You need a detailed sketch of the destination harbor, lights, and depths before you arrive.

• Plan B (The Escape): What if the marina is full? What if the wind shifts? Always have an alternative anchorage or harbor planned. Never paint yourself into a corner.

  
  

2. The Environment: Weather and Water

The plan must fit the day. A route that is safe on Tuesday might be dangerous on Wednesday.

• Weather: Do not just look at sunshine. Look at wind direction (Fetch), wave height, and barometric pressure. Is there a storm front approaching?

• Tides and Currents: In the Mediterranean, tides are small, but currents in channels can be strong. In tidal waters (like the Atlantic), the tide dictates your departure time. You must go with the flow, not against it.

  
  

3. The Vessel and Crew: Readiness

The best plan fails if the boat—or the people—break down.

• Crew Ability: Be honest. Is your crew experienced enough for the conditions? Do they know the safety drills? Who takes over if the Skipper is incapacitated?

• Fuel Strategy: Never calculate "just enough." Use the Rule of Thirds: 1/3 to get there, 1/3 to get back, and 1/3 for reserve.

• Sustenance: A hungry crew is a dangerous crew. Cold and dehydration lead to poor decision-making. Pre-cook meals if rough weather is expected.

• The Paperwork: It is not the fun part of sailing, but it is essential. Do you have the boat’s registration, insurance, and crew passports? The Coast Guard will ask.

  
  

Captain’s Summary

A plan is not a rigid script; it is a framework. The moment you leave the dock, reality will change. The wind will shift, or the engine might sound different. But because you have a plan, you have the mental capacity to adapt to these changes calmly.

Write it down. Brief your crew. Then, enjoy the sail.

Fair winds,

Captain Leo Cunha