Editing Navigation (section)

=== Passage planning ===
{{Main|Passage planning}}
[[File:Exval.jpeg|thumb|right|Poor passage planning and deviation from the plan can lead to groundings, ship damage and cargo loss.]]Passage planning or voyage planning is a procedure to develop a complete description of vessel's voyage from start to finish. The plan includes leaving the dock and harbor area, the en route portion of a voyage, approaching the destination, and [[Mooring (watercraft)|mooring]]. According to international law, a vessel's [[captain (nautical)|captain]] is legally responsible for passage planning,<ref name="reg34">{{cite web
 | title = Regulation 34 – Safe Navigation
 | url = https://mcanet.mcga.gov.uk/public/c4/solas/solas_v/Regulations/regulation34.htm
 | work = IMO RESOLUTION A.893(21) adopted on 25 November 1999
 | access-date = March 26, 2007
 | archive-date = 27 September 2007
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927002958/https://mcanet.mcga.gov.uk/public/c4/solas/solas_v/Regulations/regulation34.htm
 | url-status = dead
 }}</ref> however on larger vessels, the task will be delegated to the ship's [[navigator]].<ref name="annex24">{{cite web
 | title = ANNEX 24 – MCA Guidance Notes for Voyage Planning
 | url = https://mcanet.mcga.gov.uk/public/c4/solas/solas_v/Annexes/Annex24.htm
 | work = IMO RESOLUTION A.893(21) adopted on 25 November 1999
 | access-date = March 26, 2007
 | archive-date = 27 September 2007
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927002748/https://mcanet.mcga.gov.uk/public/c4/solas/solas_v/Annexes/Annex24.htm
 | url-status = dead
 }}</ref>

Studies show that [[human error]] is a factor in 80 percent of navigational accidents and that in many cases the human making the error had access to information that could have prevented the accident.<ref name="annex24"/> The practice of voyage planning has evolved from penciling lines on [[nautical chart]]s to a process of [[risk management]].<ref name="annex24"/>

Passage planning consists of four stages: appraisal, planning, execution, and monitoring,<ref name="annex24"/> which are specified in ''[[International Maritime Organization]] Resolution A.893(21), Guidelines For Voyage Planning,''<ref name="annex25">{{cite web
 | title = ANNEX 25 – MCA Guidance Notes for Voyage Planning
 | url = https://mcanet.mcga.gov.uk/public/c4/solas/solas_v/Annexes/Annex25.htm
 | work = IMO RESOLUTION A.893(21) adopted on 25 November 1999
 | access-date = January 28, 2011
 | archive-date = 24 July 2011
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110724014258/https://mcanet.mcga.gov.uk/public/c4/solas/solas_v/Annexes/Annex25.htm
 | url-status = dead
 }}</ref> and these guidelines are reflected in the local laws of IMO signatory countries (for example, Title 33 of the U.S. [[Code of Federal Regulations]]), and a number of professional books or publications. There are some fifty elements of a comprehensive passage plan depending on the size and type of vessel.

The appraisal stage deals with the collection of information relevant to the proposed voyage as well as ascertaining risks and assessing the key features of the voyage. This will involve considering the type of navigation required e.g. [[Ice navigation]], the region the ship will be passing through and the [[hydrography|hydrographic]] information on the route. In the next stage, the written plan is created. The third stage is the execution of the finalised voyage plan, taking into account any special circumstances which may arise such as changes in the weather, which may require the plan to be reviewed or altered. The final stage of passage planning consists of monitoring the vessel's progress in relation to the plan and responding to deviations and unforeseen circumstances.