Module 14 - Passage Planning
Execute Phase
What you will learn
Reconfirm the departure assumptions, brief the crew and use the current plan without letting timetable pressure or sunk effort override safe navigation.
Execution is controlled flexibility. Follow the accepted route and methods while continuing lookout and safe-speed duties, and make every material change the new shared plan.
Immediately before departure, reconfirm the forecast and warnings, tide and gate calculation, harbour information, vessel readiness, usable fuel, crew fitness, reporting actions and availability of the alternative. If a critical assumption has failed, delay, shorten, change or cancel. The existence of a detailed plan is not evidence that departure remains safe.
During execution, use the planned tracks or courses, speeds, position methods, log and timings, but keep them subordinate to safe navigation. A written ETA does not justify excessive speed, more sail than the conditions allow, reduced lookout or skipping an independent check. Verify that the people on watch understand the current leg, hazards and call-the-skipper triggers.
When route, timing, destination, weather response, hazard, equipment or crew roles change materially, reappraise as needed, update the working plan and record the reason. Brief the people affected, including the shore contact when their expected action changes. A change held only in the skipper's head leaves others following an obsolete passage.
Do not spend the margin twice
The fictional passage departs 30 minutes late. The one-hour arrival-gate margin was part of the go decision and the forecast still expects an increase before dawn.
1. Pause
Do not recover the timetable by assuming extra speed or silently deleting the accepted margin.
2. Recalculate
Update ETA at the gate from the actual departure and current passage assumptions.
3. Reappraise
Check weather, tide, darkness, fuel, crew reserve and whether the alternative remains reachable.
4. Re-brief
Record the accepted action and tell the crew and shore contact whose timing or role changes.
Sense check: A 30-minute delay leaves only 30 minutes of the original one-hour margin if no other assumption changes; the original go decision is no longer complete.
Common mistake or limitation
- Pressing on because effort has already been invested or because changing destination feels like failure.
- Trying to restore the ETA with unsafe speed, extra sail or fewer checks instead of recalculating the decision.
- Changing course or destination without updating the working plan and briefing those who must act on it.
Recap
- Reconfirm the plan's controlling assumptions immediately before departure.
- Use the current plan while continuing lookout, safe-speed and navigation duties.
- Record and brief material changes so the written and actual passages stay aligned.
Optional quick check
Section 5 of 10
A late departure consumes half the accepted gate margin. What should happen first?
Sources and factual review
Reviewed 2 September 2026 - Compass Revision editorial review.
Continue studying Passage Planning
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