The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Resolution A.893(21) emphasizes the importance of meticulous voyage planning for ensuring safety at sea. It outlines a structured approach to creating a comprehensive voyage plan that covers all aspects of a vessel's passage, from departure to arrival. Principles of Voyage planning Recommended by SOLAS the four stages of planning are Appraisal, Planning, Execution and Monitoring logically follow each other. An appraisal of all information available must be made before detailed plans can be drawn up and a plan must be in existence before tactics for its execution can be decided upon. Once the plan and the manner in which it is to be executed have been decided, monitoring must be carried out to ensure that the plan is followed To know more select: DETAILS

The International Maritime Organisation - Regulation 28 regarding Records of navigational activities and daily reporting advises that all ships engaged on international voyages shall keep on board a record of navigational activities and incidents which are of importance to safety of navigation. The records must contain sufficient detail to restore a complete record of the voyage, taking into account the recommendations adopted by the Organization. When such information is not maintained in the ship's log-book, it shall be maintained in another form approved by the Administration. To know more select: DETAILS

Notices to Mariners contain important navigational information. This includes chart updates, changes in buoyage warning of activities such as dredging. Notices to Mariners are issued by several organisations, including the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO), Trinity House and local harbour authorities. You can often find Local Notices to Mariners online, and many harbour authorities provide email updates you can subscribe to. To know more select: DETAILS

A tidal curve is a graphical representation of the predicted tidal heights and times for a specific location. Tidal curves use the same tidal data that is found in tide tables, usually presented as a graph with time on the horizontal axis and tidal height on the vertical axis. The curve is in two parts, the straight linear graph on the left and the curved part on the right. ADMIRALTY EasyTide service provides free access to 7-day tidal predictions for over 600 British Isles port locations, displayed as a tide table and tidal curve. Leisure users can access tidal predictions, including lunar phases, for safer use of the sea in activities such as water sports, beach going, coastal walking and sailing. To know more select: DETAILS

Secondary Port information is provided in Nautical Almanacs such as Reeds’ and also in the Admiralty Tide Tables. These publications can’t possibly give complete Tide Tables for all of the hundreds of small ‘Secondary Ports’ around the coast. Instead they give complete Tide Tables for all of the larger ‘Standard Ports’ like Dover and Devonport (Plymouth). They then also provide ‘Secondary Port Differences’ so that times and heights for any Secondary Port can be easily worked out. To know more select: DETAILS

CHIRP is an independent and impartial charity dedicated to improving safety in the air and at sea. Their confidential human factors incident reporting system empowers people working in the maritime and aviation sectors to share their safety concerns without the fear of being identified. Once agreed by those who have reported, we follow up with the relevant organisations so that the necessary action can be taken. They advise that your voice matters to help them build a safer future together by reporting human- factor safety incidents via the app, website or email To know more select: DETAILS

Radar is a vital navigation component for safety at sea and near the shore. It allows a 'lookout' to be maintained, being one of the approved available means for compliance with Rule 5, keeping a proper lookout under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. Captains and the bridge teams of ships need to be able to maneuver their ships in close proximity to navigational hazards in the worst of conditions. These include a need to navigate "blind", when there is poor or no visibility at night or due to bad weather such as fog To know more select: DETAILS

ECDIS stands for Electronic Chart Display and Information System– a computerized navigation system designed to comply with IMO performance standards. It displays Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) and integrates data from multiple onboard sensors to provide accurate, real-time vessel positioning. Beyond basic features, ECDIS offers powerful advanced functions that enable safer route planning, better monitoring, and enhanced situational awareness. These features are especially useful during coastal navigation, pilotage, and restricted waters. To know more select: DETAILS