Opinion

Example of a passage and berthing plan

by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 19 June 2020 - 1028 -

Show comment section |

Graphics and text by Tim Cummins, Harbour Pilot / Assistant Harbour Master (Portsmouth International Ports

As part of a good Master-Pilot exchange (MPX) the passage plan and berthing plan is discussed with the bridge team.
This is important to enhance the safety of the vessel’s passage through the port and to improve co-operation between bridge team and pilot.

Here is the latest passage plan we use at Portsmouth International Port that we show to the Master’s of inbound and outbound ships.
Download / open passage & berthing plan example (PDF)

Editors note:
We think it is a good thing to show us our passage and berthing plans to improve our work.
If you also want to publish your documents to our big community, please send it to us:
info@marine-pilots.com

Tim Cummins on LinkedIn

Editor's note:
Opinion pieces reflect the personal opinion of individual authors. They do not allow any conclusions to be drawn about a prevailing opinion in the respective editorial department. Opinion pieces might be deliberately formulated in a pronounced or even explicit tone and may contain biased arguments. They might be intended to polarise and stimulate discussion. In this, they deliberately differ from the factual articles you typically find on this platform, written to present facts and opinions in as balanced a manner as possible.

News

Join the conversation...

Tim Cummins Portsmouth International Port Portsmouth Pilots, United Kingdom

on 12 July 2020, 13:45 UTC

Thank you. This passage plan was based on requirements and suggestions written in the MCA guidance document to the Port Safety Management Code (PSMC).
It has since been amended to include “Not to be used for navigation”. This was mistaken omitted from the first version.

Marek Waszczuk ABP - Associated British Ports, United Kingdom

on 22 June 2020, 13:09 UTC

It looks like a complex, modern plan that includes all informations needed to carry on a safe passage. Something, that pilot appreciate, instead of need to look a tens of different websites or printouts to gather all informations required to complete an obsolete handwritten passage plan.

Opinion Example of a Passage Plan used by Portsmouth Pilots, UK

by Tim Cummins, Portsmouth, UK - published on 10 February 2021

Created by Tim Cummins. This is an uncontrolled example of the latest passage plan used by the Pilot Service at Portsmouth International Port.

Opinion Scientific Fact: The ‘traditional’ understanding of the ship’s pivot point is wrong!

by Tim Cummins, Harbour Pilot, Portsmouth International Port - published on 9 July 2020

In fact, the pivot point that we “see” is a trick of the eye, it looks like the ship is rotating about this point but in fact it is elsewhere, a point that you cannot see.

Article A review of the ship’s pivot point: Science, Maths and Observation’ Where is the centre of a ship’s rotation?

by Tim Cummins, Harbour Pilot, Portsmouth International Port - published on 17 July 2020

This my attempt to do just that. This is a summary of all scientific papers and articles that I could find about the ship’s pivot point. I have added links to any videos associated with the publications and have also included any useful diagrams or equations that the authors published to help explain their research.

Article Open Letter from Captain Peter Dann (President AMPI) regarding the situation in Brisbane

by Australasian Marine Pilots Institute - published on 10 December 2021

Today Captain Peter Dann (President AMPI) has published an open letter about concerns regarding simulation in lieu of on-water training and the situation in Brisbane.

Article Master and Chief Engineer plead guilty in MV Funing case

published on 22 September 2020

The Master and Chief Engineer of the log-carrier MV Funing, have today been sentenced and fined after admitting charges relating to the grounding of the ship at the Port of Tauranga in July.

Master Liang Guang Hong and Chief Engineer Chameekara Prasad Nanayakkara both entered guilty pleas in the Tauranga District Court on 10 September to charges brought by Maritime NZ under the Maritime Transport Act (MTA) 1994.

Article Ship ahoy! Using AIS data

by LuxSpace Sàrl - published on 30 January 2019

How LUXSPACE uses AIS messages to monitor worldwide shipping traffic

Article Suez Canal chief hints ‘mistake’ by captain could be linked to Ever Given incident

published on 14 April 2021

The chairman of the Suez Canal Authority has suggested a possible mistake by the captain of the Ever Given could have led to the grounding of the giant container ship in the waterway last month.

Article Engage Marine awarded marine contract by Port of Townsville

by Shipping Australia Limited - published on 5 October 2021

Engage Marine has announced that it recently awarded the marine pilot transfer services contract by the Port of Townsville.

Video What Happened To The Napoli?

published on 22 October 2021

In this video, you can take a look at what happened when the Napoli broke her back and was run aground on the south coast of the UK.

Video Tales from a Great Lakes Pilot

published on 9 February 2026

Great Lakes Pilot Eric Treece joined us in the Virtual Visitor Center for an interview about his career as a fleet captain and his experiences now as a pilot working aboard a variety of ships. In the course of the conversation, he shares some spectacular photos he has taken over the years. TECHNICAL NOTE: there are a few audio glitches we could not correct but it only impacts a few spots.