Elements and Performance Criteria
- Plan passage
- Navigational charts, nautical publications and related documentation are accessed and checked for currency
- Documentation is used to identify navigational hazards relevant to proposed voyage
- Route for voyage is determined and critical points along proposed route of voyage are identified and plotted
- Potential navigational contingencies and problems along planned route are identified and appropriate strategies for dealing with them are developed and recorded
- Weather forecasts are obtained and interpreted, and weather and sea condition hazards relevant to proposed voyage are identified prior to departure
- Route is modified as required to take into account weather and sea condition hazards
- Planned route for voyage and strategies for dealing with critical situations and contingencies along route are recorded
- Conduct a pre-departure check
- Propulsion steering equipment and alarms are tested for serviceability and vessel hull is checked for seaworthiness
- Wheelhouse equipment and alarms are checked to ensure they are in proper working condition and set for passage
- Wheelhouse equipment is checked for errors and allowances are made in planning passage
- Fuel is checked to ensure that there is adequate fuel, including a reserve, on board for the intended passage
- Safety equipment is checked for compliance with relevant legislation
- Communications equipment is checked to ensure it is in proper working condition
- Anchoring and mooring equipment is checked to ensure it is in proper working condition
- Vessel and equipment are secured for sea
- Latest weather information is obtained and interpreted, and proposed route is modified as required to take into account weather and sea condition hazards
- Conduct passage
- Local authorities are advised of departure and passage plan
- Mode of steering is selected appropriate for prevailing weather, sea and traffic conditions, and intended manoeuvres
- Weather forecasts and observations of sea and weather conditions are used to determine vessel speed and direction
- Information from wheelhouse equipment is interpreted to identify navigational hazards and fix vessel position
- Alterations to vessel course or speed are made to meet prevailing circumstances and changing conditions
- Navigational manoeuvres are conducted within safe operational limits of vessel
- Details of passage are recorded in vessel log according to regulations
- Fix vessel position
- Primary position fixing method is selected according to navigational principles and prevailing conditions
- Position is fixed using selected method and information derived from relevant wheelhouse equipment
- Position is recorded according to regulations
- Fixes are taken at time intervals appropriate for prevailing navigational conditions
- Performance checks of position fixing instruments and wheelhouse equipment are carried out according to organisational procedures and manufacturer instructions