Long-Distance Passages · Visual Reference

Passage Planning Chart

A sample offshore passage from Newport, RI to Bermuda (630 nm) — illustrating waypoints, course line, weather routing, alternate ports of refuge, and distance markers.

1

Offshore Passage — Newport RI to Bermuda

Route waypoints, course line, alternate refuges, current/weather zones, and distance markers.

Bermuda Azores (alt. refuge) 100 fm shelf Gulf Stream H Bermuda High (route south to avoid) Halifax, NS Alt. refuge (N) St. George's Final destination Turks & Caicos Alt. refuge (S divert) ⚓ Newport, RI 41°30'N 71°20'W WP01 150 nm · 38°N 69°W 150 nm WP02 · GS Cross 360 nm · 36°N 66°W ↑ Expect 2-3kt set 360 nm WP03 560 nm · 33°N 65°W 560 nm Total: 630 nm N S E W 0 100 nm 200 nm 300 nm 44°N 42°N 40°N 38°N 36°N 34°N 32°N 72°W 70°W 68°W 66°W 64°W 62°W ⚠ Weather Note Route S of 36°N to stay clear of Bermuda High ridgeline Monitor SSB 8.137 MHz PASSAGE PLAN Route: Newport RI → Bermuda Distance: ~630 nm Avg. passage: 5–7 days Variation: 14°W (2026) LEGEND Course line Waypoint Alt. port of refuge Divert route Gulf Stream axis H Weather system — 150 nm — Distance marker Departure port

Newport, RI → Bermuda (~630 nm) — Course line (dashed white) connects 3 waypoints. Gulf Stream crossing near WP02 (360 nm): expect 2–3 kt northward set. Route south of 36°N recommended to skirt Bermuda High ridgeline. Alternate ports of refuge: Halifax, NS (north divert) and Turks & Caicos (south divert). Total planned passage time: 5–7 days at 5 kt average.

2

Passage Planning Framework

Key planning phases and decision points for offshore route preparation.

PHASE 1 Pre-Departure (weeks) ☐ Route research ☐ Weather window study ☐ Waypoint selection ☐ Customs/clearance docs ☐ Crew briefing ☐ Boat prep / rigging ☐ Safety gear audit ☐ Provision & fuel ☐ Float plan filed ☐ EPIRB registration ☐ Sat phone / SSB check ☐ Alternates identified ☐ Charts & pilots loaded ☐ Watch schedule set PHASE 2 Final 48 Hours ☐ GRIB forecast download ☐ Routing model review ☐ Departure window lock ☐ First watch assignment ☐ Waypoints in GPS/plotter ☐ Abandon-ship bag packed ☐ Food prepped (sea meals) ☐ Fuel tanks full ☐ Water tanks full ☐ Log entries start ☐ Engine service check ☐ Crew rest strategy ☐ Shore contact updated ☐ Position report schedule PHASE 3 Underway ☐ 2× daily weather checks ☐ Hourly position log ☐ DR vs GPS verification ☐ SSB schedule (HF) ☐ Watch handover brief ☐ Engine hour log ☐ Food & water tracking ☐ Current / set monitoring ☐ Route re-optimization ☐ AIS / radar watch ☐ Sail trim updates ☐ ETA revisions ☐ Divert decision triggers ☐ Crew fatigue assessment PHASE 4 Arrival ☐ Landfall pilotage plan ☐ Q flag hoisted (customs) ☐ Port entry notice ☐ Shore contact — arrival ☐ Float plan closed ☐ Crew debrief ☐ Gear & boat inspection ☐ Log book completion ☐ Fuel & provision restock KEY FACTORS WEATHER • Window ≥72 hrs • No fronts en route • Monitor SSB daily CURRENTS • Gulf Stream: +2kt • N Equatorial: +1kt • Track daily set WAYPOINTS • Offshore hazard clear • Alt. ports every 200nm • Entry reqs checked SAFETY • EPIRB armed • Float plan filed • Abandon-ship ready • Watch system agreed

Four-Phase Passage Planning: Pre-departure preparation (weeks out) → final 48-hour weather window confirmation → underway monitoring and route optimization → arrival/landfall procedures. Each phase has defined go/no-go decision points. The divert decision trigger (Phase 3) should be pre-agreed: define conditions that mandate turning to an alternate port before departure.