Weather Routing - Passage Planning

Is the predicted track that the vessel should take to complete the voyage in the shortest possible time.

• Great Circle Track

• Least Time Track

• Short Time Track

• Rhumb Line Track

It shows plotted synoptic wave reports from vessels along with computed wave heights.

• Synoptic Chart

• Weather Chart

• Wave Chart

• Routeing Chart

Factors influencing weather routing

• Distance

• Fog

• Ocean Currents

• Ice At Sea

It is the art of achieving a safe and economic passage across an ocean, taking in to consideration all available meteorological and oceanographical factors

• Ship Routing

• Passage Planning

• Appraisal

• Weather Routing

The purpose of weather routeing is to?

• Navigate the vessel on the best route that

  avoids the worst of weather conditions

• Avoid areas of ice or fog

• Take advantages of currents for less fuel

  consumption

• Reduction of heavy weather damages

What are problems associated with extremely cold weather or very low atmospheric temperatures?

• Freshwater, sanitary water & deck service

  water tend to freeze in pipes

• Ice accretion on deck - dangerous for crew

  to go about

• Very cold, gale force winds, spray &

  persistent snow fall

• Morale of the crew reaches a very low level

  during extreme cold weather

Masters should ensure that they have all relevant information to hand for passage planning,

which shall include:

• Update charts

• Routeing and pilot charts

• Ocean Passages for the World

• The Mariner's Handbook

• Sailing directions

It act as an advisory service, attempts to avoid or reduce the effects of specific adverse

weather and sea conditions by issuing initial route recommendations prior to sailing.

• NOAA

• Ship routing agency

• Weather station

• Shipping Company

Essential for use in passage planning for ocean voyages, which give information including

routes and distances between major ports, ocean currents, ice limits, load lines and wind roses.

• Routeing Charts

• Weather Chart

• Synoptic charts

• Navigational charts

It gives information on navigational hazards, buoyage, pilotage, regulations, general

notes on countries, port facilities, seasonal currents, ice and climatic conditions to support safe

and compliant navigation within main commercial shipping routes and ports.

• World port index

• Ocean Passage of the World

• Mariners Handbook

• Sailing directions