Passage Planning

Successful offshore passages don't happen by luck — they're built on systematic planning done before you leave the dock.

The Planning Sequence

1. Destination and Route

Pick waypoints that route you away from hazards, account for traffic separation schemes, and give you bail-out harbors if conditions deteriorate. Enter them in your chartplotter and cross-check on a paper chart.

2. Weather Window

Offshore passages require a weather window — not just "it looks OK now." Consult:

• •NOAA marine forecasts (VHF Wx channels or weather.gov)
• •Offshore forecasting services for passages > 100 nm (Passage Weather, PredictWind)
• •Pilot charts for prevailing conditions in the season and region
• •Barometric trend over the 24 hours before departure

3. Fuel and Range

Calculate your fuel consumption at cruising speed. Add a 30% reserve. Know where fuel is available en route — don't run the 1/3 rule offshore; maintain a larger buffer.

4. Safety Equipment Check

• •Life raft (inspected within service interval)
• •EPIRB (registered, battery current)
• •Flares (not expired)
• •Ditch bag with water, food, medication, handheld VHF, handheld GPS
• •Life jackets and harnesses/tethers for offshore work

5. Crew Briefing

Before departure, brief every crew member on: location of all safety gear, fire extinguisher operation, MOB procedure, and how to send a MAYDAY.

6. Float Plan

Leave it with someone ashore who will act on it.

Underway

Monitor VHF weather continuously. Post a watch schedule before dark — never leave the helm unattended offshore.