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Module 14 of 17

Passage Planning

Deck log, passage preparation, waypoints, and planning for extended coastal passages.

Keeping a navigational record / deck logConfirmation of position by independent sourceUse of waypoints on passageMeteorological considerations for longer coastal passagesPreparation of navigational plan (including contingencies)Customs, immigration, and local/national regulations for yacht passagesWatch systems and crew managementExtended coastal and offshore passage planning

Lesson summaries

Use this module hub to choose the right lesson, then open the dedicated lesson page for the complete explanation, worked examples, FAQs, and practice questions.

The Importance of Passage Planning

Every voyage, no matter how short, should be planned in advance. A well-prepared passage plan ensures you have considered the weather, tides, hazards, timing, and contingencies before you...

  • ALWAYS plan the passage before departure
  • Even short, familiar passages need a plan
Read the full the importance of passage planning lesson

Appraise

Gather all the information you need: weather forecast, tidal predictions, chart analysis, port information, crew experience, and vessel capability. Identify potential hazards along the ro...

  • Gather: weather, tides, charts, port info
  • Identify hazards and constraints along the route
Read the full appraise lesson

Plan

Plot the route on the chart. Mark waypoints, courses, distances, and expected times. Note tidal gates (times when the tide allows safe passage over a bar or through a narrows). Identify s...

  • Plot route with waypoints, courses, distances, and ETAs
  • Identify tidal gates and timing constraints
Read the full plan lesson

Customs, Immigration and Local Regulations

Coastal Skipper and Yachtmaster candidates must treat legal and administrative checks as part of seamanship. Before crossing a national border, entering from abroad, or leaving UK waters,...

  • Check customs, immigration, port health, and reporting requirements before border-crossing passages
  • Use current official sources as well as the almanac because rules can change
Read the full customs, immigration and local regulations lesson

Execute

Follow the plan, but remain flexible. Keep a navigational log: record course, speed, log reading, and position fixes at regular intervals (at least hourly). Cross-check GPS positions with...

  • Follow the plan — but be ready to adapt
  • Keep a nav log: course, speed, log reading, fixes
Read the full execute lesson

Monitor

Continuously monitor your progress against the plan. Are you on track? Is the weather as forecast? Are the tides behaving as predicted? If conditions change — stronger wind, fog, equipmen...

  • Compare actual progress to the plan
  • Monitor weather against the forecast
Read the full monitor lesson

Navigational Records

Keeping a proper navigational record (log) is critical. It creates an audit trail of your decisions, helps you fix your position if electronics fail, and provides evidence if there is an...

  • Log: time, course, log reading, wind, pressure, position
  • Record at least hourly and at every course change
Read the full navigational records lesson

Watch Systems and Crew Management

On passages lasting more than a few hours, a formal watch system is essential to ensure the crew gets adequate rest and the boat is always safely manned. The skipper must organise watches...

  • Establish a watch system before departure on any passage over a few hours
  • Common systems: 4-on/4-off, 3-watch rotation, shorter night watches
Read the full watch systems and crew management lesson

Meteorological Strategy for Passages

Weather is the single biggest variable in passage planning. A 'weather window' is a period when forecast conditions are suitable for your passage — considering wind strength and direction...

  • A weather window is a period of suitable conditions for your passage and crew
  • Obtain forecasts from multiple sources before departure and compare them
Read the full meteorological strategy for passages lesson

Extended Coastal and Offshore Passage Planning

Multi-day passages and longer offshore legs require additional planning beyond a standard day sail. Distance planning means breaking the passage into legs with intermediate waypoints, cal...

  • Break multi-day passages into legs with waypoints, ETAs, and bolt holes for each leg
  • Provision for the full passage duration plus contingency days
Read the full extended coastal and offshore passage planning lesson

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