Day Skipper - Part 7 - Planning checklist

As we get towards the end of this Day Skipper series, we can start to pull everything together: the whole point of learning the basics is so that we can now put them all together to formulate a passage plan. The success or failure of any cruise is the thought that goes into it before departure.

It is always useful to devise a checklist appropriate to your needs, which may include all or some the following:

TIME

• What time do we want to arrive?
• What time do we want to depart?
• Are there tidal or locking constraints at either end?
• Is the tidal stream going to affect us to any significant degree?
• How long is the passage going to take?
• Will a watch system be required?
• Have we got enough fuel?

PEOPLE

• Are there enough watch leaders with sufficient experience for a long passage?
• Do we have plenty of food and water?
• If there are children on board, are there sufficient means to keep them occupied?

• Do we have the right charts and pilotage information available?
• Do we have an alternative port available if things donÕt go according to plan?
• Are the tidal streams being used to advantage? WEATHER
  • Have we got an up-to-date forecast?
  • Is the present weather conducive to this passage?
  • Is there any chance of a deterioration in the weather?

  Helpful hints

  	Don't forget time zones - especially if crossing the Channel.
  	Tides come from - winds blow to.
  	There is no such thing as a bad navigator - just a bad passage plan.
  	If your leading mark bears higher than expected, steer even higher to regain your planned track.
  	Daytime transits are not always visible at night.

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