General Passage Planning Principles
The passage planning process for the SOMS should follow the general principles of good seamanship and comply with the relevant international and local regulations. The passage plan should be prepared well in advance of the transit and be based on accurate and up-to-date information from reliable sources. The passage plan should also be approved by the Master and communicated to all bridge team members and other relevant parties. The passage plan should be continuously monitored and updated during the transit, taking into account any changes in circumstances or conditions. The passage plan should also be documented and recorded for future reference or analysis.
Some of the key sources of information for passage planning in the SOMS are:
The PPG - SOMS, which provides detailed guidance and chartlets for each leg of the transit.
The Rules for Vessels Navigating through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, which set out the mandatory reporting procedures, traffic separation schemes, vessel traffic services, precautionary areas, etc.
The Port Marine Circulars (Singapore), which provide important notices and updates on navigational safety, port operations, pilotage, etc.
The Admiralty Sailing Directions, which provide general information on coastal navigation, ports and harbours, pilotage, regulations, etc.
The Admiralty List of Lights and Fog Signals, which provide information on lights, buoys, beacons, fog signals, etc.
The Admiralty List of Radio Signals, which provide information on radio communications, meteorological services, navigational warnings, etc.
The Admiralty Tide Tables, which provide information on tides, tidal streams, currents, etc.
The Admiralty Charts, which provide nautical charts for coastal navigation.
The Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs), which provide digital charts for electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS).
Specific Passage Planning Guidance for the SOMS
The PPG - SOMS provides specific guidance for each leg of the transit through the SOMS. The guidance applies in either direction through the Straits between One Fathom Bank (OFB) and Horsburgh and includes an overview of the navigational references for each leg of the route. The PPG - SOMS is suitable for all classes of ship.
The PPG - SOMS divides the transit into six legs:
OFB to One Fathom Bank Light Buoy (OFBLB)
OFBLB to Raffles Lighthouse
Raffles Lighthouse to Eastern Anchorage
Eastern Anchorage to Horsburgh Lighthouse
Horsburgh Lighthouse to Horsburgh Light Buoy (HLB)
HLB to Horsburgh
For each leg, the PPG - SOMS provides the following information:
A chartlet showing the route, waypoints, aids to navigation, hazards, etc.
A guidance note containing further navigational and safety information, such as distances, courses, speeds, depths, traffic, pilotage, communications, etc.
A key depth table showing the minimum depths along the route for different draughts of ships.
A tidal stream diagram showing the direction and strength of the tidal streams at different times and locations along the route.
The PPG - SOMS also illustrates areas where high vigilance is required and lists the pre-emptive measures that should be taken by the ship. These areas have been revised and expanded, with input from the pilots who regularly navigate these challenging areas, to include the area around Muda Selatan. The PPG - SOMS also includes a number of case studies that examine the causes of various groundings and collisions in the Straits.
Conclusion
The SOMS are a vital and strategic shipping route, but also a demanding and complex navigational environment. Therefore, it is imperative for Masters and navigating officers to have a comprehensive and effective passage plan when transiting the SOMS. The PPG - SOMS is a valuable resource for mariners, as it provides detailed guidance and practical advice for ships transiting the region, based on the latest information and best practices. The PPG - SOMS is available from Witherbys and other maritime publications suppliers.
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