Question 1

Is passage planning a legal requirement?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Passage planning is required by SOLAS regulation V/34 for all vessels. The level of detail required is proportionate to the passage — a short coastal trip needs less planning than an offshore overnight passage.

Question 2

What should a passage plan include?

Accepted Answer

A passage plan should cover: weather forecast for the whole passage period, tide times and heights at departure and destination, tidal stream information along the route, the plotted route with waypoints and hazards, estimated passage time and ETA, ports of refuge along the route, safety equipment checks, crew briefing, and a copy of the plan left with a responsible person ashore.

Question 3

What is the 5 P's of passage planning?

Accepted Answer

The 5 P's are: People (crew experience, medical needs, passage plan left ashore), Passage (route, waypoints, hazards, ETA), Provisions (food, water, fuel with contingency), Platform (vessel checks including engine, lights, safety gear), and Prevailing conditions (weather forecast, tides, tidal streams).

Question 4

How much fuel reserve should I have for a passage?

Accepted Answer

Carry enough fuel for the passage plus a 25% reserve as a minimum. When estimating fuel, allow for motoring in calm conditions, adverse tidal streams, and the possibility of having to divert to an alternative port.

Question 5

What information should I leave with someone ashore before a passage?

Accepted Answer

Leave your passage plan with a responsible person ashore including: your planned route and waypoints, departure time and estimated arrival time, a description of your vessel (name, type, colour, registration), a list of crew on board, the harbour master or marina at your destination, and clear instructions on what action to take if you are overdue.

P	What it covers
People	Who is on board, their experience, medical needs; passage plan left ashore
Passage	Route, waypoints, hazards, ports of refuge, ETA
Provisions	Food, water, fuel — sufficient plus contingency
Platform	Vessel checks — engine, lights, safety gear, anchor
Prevailing conditions	Weather forecast, tides, tidal streams — is it safe to go?

Passage planning checklist

Related reference

🌤️ Weather

🌊 Tides & tidal streams

🧭 Route & navigation

🦺 Safety equipment

📻 Communications

⛵ Vessel

👥 Crew

✅ Before casting off

The five P’s — a memory framework