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Passage Planning: A Real-World Example | ⛵ Sailing Britaly ⛵
16 May 2020 · 25 min · 34K views · France
What this video covers
Solo sailors planning coastal passages can mitigate risk by creating a manual route that accounts for tidal currents, navigational hazards, and emergency contingencies. When preparing a route, use apps like Navionics for initial distance and waypoint calculations, but manually verify the path to avoid hazards such as drying heights or munitions dumping grounds.14:22 For a 18.4-nautical-mile passage from Dunkirk to Newport, calculate travel time based on a conservative 4-knot speed to ensure the ability to adjust for changing conditions.3:59 Check tidal diamonds along the route to time departures for favorable currents, and cross-reference wind and wave forecasts on Windy to avoid choppy seas caused by wind-against-tide conditions.5:40 Maintain a written passage plan including VHF channels for departure and arrival ports, waypoints, and notes on hazards.20:55 This documentation serves as a vital reference for solo operators and fulfills legal requirements for offshore transits.16:06 A methodical, written plan allows for safer decision-making and provides a reliable fallback if conditions change or equipment fails during the voyage.
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