Passage Planning Guide - English Channel, Dover Strait and Southern North Sea - 2024-25 Edition

Published: November 2023

This Passage Planning Guide provides up-to-date information for the safe and controlled transit of ships through the English Channel, Dover Strait and Southern North Sea, covering passages to and from:

• MAAS/Rotterdam
• Sunk/Thames
• Wandelaar/Schelde
• Elbe, Jade, Weser

The 2024-25 edition has been fully revised and updated with assistance from serving deep-sea pilots and leading industry organisations. It now includes guidance covering German Bight.

The Guide will be a valuable source of reference at every stage of the passage (appraisal, planning, execution and monitoring). It highlights aids to navigation, traffic separation schemes, distinctive chart features, traffic hotspots, potential hazards, etc, which are essential considerations for a controlled and safe passage.

PART 1 Background and Supporting Notes to the Guide

1.1 Introduction to Passage Planning in the English Channel, Dover Strait and Southern North Sea

1.2 Guidance for Masters of Arriving Ships (Notification and Papers)

1.3 Route Selection through the English Channel, Dover Strait and Southern North Sea

1.4 Deep-Sea Pilotage

1.5 Guidance for OOW/Bridge Team in the English Channel, Dover Strait and Southern North Sea

1.6 Passage Planning

1.7 English Channel Migrant Crossings

1.8 Traffic in the English Channel Dover Strait and Southern North Sea

1.9 Ship Reporting Systems in the English Channel, Dover Strait and Southern North Sea

1.10 North Sea Emission Control Area (SOx/NOx-ECA)

1.11 Offshore Renewable Energy Installations (OREIs)

1.12 Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas

1.13 Emergency Towage Vessels (ETV)

PART 2 Case Studies, Groundings and Collisions

PART 3 Traffic Hotspots in English Channel, Dover Strait and Southern North Sea

3.1 Traffic Hotspots

3.1.1 NE-bound - North Hinder

3.1.2 Eastbound North Hinder - MAAS Center

3.1.3 NE-bound - Off Vlieland TSS

3.1.4 Westbound - out of Europoort

3.1.5 SW-bound - in the vicinity of Foxtrot 3

3.1.6 SW-bound - South Falls

3.1.7 SW-bound - after The Varne

3.1.8 NE-bound - Rijnveld

3.1.9 Rounding Sunk Centre LTV from the South and/or East

3.1.10 Arriving at Wandelaar Pilot Station

3.1.11 From MAAS Junction to Steenbank PBG/Schouwenbank Precautionary Area

PART 4 Passage Notes - NE Bound

PART 5 Passage Notes - SW Bound

Annexes

Annex 1 - Pre-Entry Bridge Team Meeting

Annex 2 - Marine Accident Investigation Agency Contacts

Annex 3 - Routeing between MAAS and Wandelaar

Annex 4 - Navigation and Weather Warnings Diagrams

Annex 5 - SAR and Telemedical Contacts Details