The voyage plan at management level: SOLAS V/34 and IMO A.893(21)
1The lesson in plain words
The second officer may draw the route, but the voyage plan is the master's. SOLAS makes it compulsory; IMO A.893(21) says what goes in it.
The rule
SOLAS regulation V/34 requires the master, before proceeding to sea, to ensure the voyage has been planned using appropriate charts and publications, following IMO guidance. The plan must allow for routeing systems, give enough sea room, anticipate known hazards and adverse weather, and respect environmental protection measures. Regulation V/27 requires those charts and publications to be adequate and up to date.
The guidance
IMO resolution A.893(21), Guidelines for voyage planning (1999), sets four stages: appraisal, planning, execution and monitoring. On a ship, appraisal covers condition, stability, draught limits, manoeuvring data, cargo, certificates, manning and crew rest, as well as the route. For execution, confirm ship and team readiness and adjust timing to conditions. For monitoring, assign independent position checks and review departures from the plan.
Berth to berth
The plan covers the whole voyage from berth to berth, pilotage waters included. A pilot on board does not remove the need for the ship's own plan of those waters. Where the voyage destination is not yet known, plan as far as you can and complete it when orders arrive. The company's safety management system (ISM Code) sets how plans are made, checked and recorded.
Who does what
The master usually delegates the preparation to the navigating officer, often the second officer. The master then checks and approves the plan. Every bridge watchkeeper is briefed on it before departure, and many companies ask them to sign that they have read it. The chief mate checks the parts that touch cargo, stability and draught.
Master's discretion
SOLAS V/34-1 protects the master's professional judgement: the owner, charterer or anyone else must not prevent or restrict the master from taking or carrying out any decision which, in the master's judgement, is necessary for safe navigation or the protection of the marine environment. A commercial schedule never overrides the voyage plan's safety limits.
2Key data
- Voyage planning duty
- SOLAS V/34: master ensures the voyage is planned
- Charts and publications
- SOLAS V/27: adequate and up to date
- Master's discretion
- SOLAS V/34-1
- IMO guidelines
- A.893(21): appraisal, planning, execution, monitoring
- Extent
- Berth to berth, including pilotage waters
3Key points
- 1
SOLAS V/34 makes voyage planning compulsory; the master is responsible and approves the plan.
- 2
IMO A.893(21): appraisal, planning, execution and monitoring, from berth to berth.
- 3
Every watchkeeper is briefed on the plan before departure, and again after any change.
- 4
SOLAS V/34-1: no one may restrict the master's decisions for safe navigation.
4Frequent mistakes
Wrong: The plan can stop at the pilot station, because the pilot knows the port.
Right: Plan berth to berth. The pilot advises, but the ship's own plan of pilotage waters is still needed to monitor the pilot.
Wrong: Once the second officer has drawn the route, the plan is done.
Right: The master checks and approves it, and the bridge team is briefed. Only then is it the ship's plan.
5Practice case & exam keys
The charterer's operator emails you, the master, asking you to take a shorter route through an area your plan treats as no-go in the forecast swell, to save six hours. The office says it is your call. What do you do?
Show the answer
Keep to the approved plan unless a proper re-appraisal shows the shorter route is safe. SOLAS V/34-1 protects your decision. Reply politely with the safety reasons: swell, under-keel clearance and margins. Record the request and your decision. If conditions improve, re-appraise and amend the plan, check and approve it, and brief the officers before using it.
Exam keys
- SOLAS V/34 (voyage planning), V/34-1 (master's discretion), V/27 (charts and publications up to date).
- A.893(21): appraisal, planning, execution, monitoring; berth to berth.
- Prepared by the navigating officer, approved by the master, briefed to all watchkeepers.
Finish this unit
When you've read it, match the terms, then answer three questions. Get them all right to finish the unit; opening the page alone doesn't count.
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