WEATHER ROUTING IN ACCORDANCE WITH

GENERAL PROVISIONS ON SHIP’S

ROUTEING
• LESSON 2
 Imagine a team of weather experts on land, constantly
monitoring and analyzing conditions at sea. That's
Shore based services has essentially what shore-based services provide for
vessels. They possess:
a comprehensive
meteorological
information available to Vast meteorological knowledge: Access to advanced
weather forecasting models and real-time data, along
personnel ashore who with historical trends, paints a comprehensive picture of
issue advice as to route current and future weather conditions.
planning and monitoring
the vessel voyage, Expert route planning: Skilled personnel analyze this
Issuing forecast and data, factoring in the vessel's capabilities and intended
route, to suggest optimal paths that avoid bad weather
advice to the utilization and utilize favorable winds and currents.
of favourable conditions
and mitigation of Continuous voyage monitoring: They keep a watchful
unfavourable conditions. eye on the vessel's progress and the surrounding
weather, providing timely updates and
recommendations if needed.
 Enhanced safety: Proactive avoidance of adverse
weather significantly reduces the risk of accidents and
This ensures crew wellbeing.
translates
to tangible Optimized efficiency: Choosing routes based on weather
patterns leads to faster voyages, lower fuel
benefits for consumption, and cost savings.

vessels: Informed decision-making: Timely and accurate weather

information empowers onboard personnel to make
sound choices regarding speed adjustments, course
corrections, and other critical aspects of the voyage.
Comprehensive Meteorological
Information:

These forecasts provide

granular information about
Advanced forecasts: Imagine
wind speed and direction, wave
having access to detailed, high-
heights, visibility, precipitation,
resolution weather forecasts
and other critical weather
like this: *
phenomena along the planned
route and surrounding areas
Comprehensive Meteorological
Information:

• Real-time data: Think of a map constantly updating with data from

satellites, buoys, and other sources: *
• This real-time data offers a constantly updated picture of the current
weather situation, allowing the master to make informed adjustments as
needed.
Comprehensive Meteorological
Information:

• Historical analysis: Gain insights from a library of past weather data:

• By understanding historical weather patterns and trends, the master can
anticipate potential risks and make informed decisions about future
voyages.
On-board Software:

• Route planning software

integrates weather data with the
vessel's capabilities and
limitations to suggest optimal
routes that avoid hazards and
exploit favorable conditions.
Voyage
monitoring
• These systems continuously monitor the
systems: vessel's progress and the surrounding
Imagine having weather, providing up-to-date information
a digital co-pilot and alerts about approaching storm systems,
sudden changes in winds, or low visibility
keeping tabs on areas.
everything: *
Decision
support
tools: Get
expert advice
tailored to
your specific
situation: • On-board decision support systems analyze data and
present options for course corrections or speed
adjustments based on real-time forecasts and warnings.
Utilizing Favorable Conditions and Mitigating Unfavorable
Conditions:

Steering clear of danger: By analyzing weather data and forecasts, the master
can identify and avoid areas with hazardous weather like storms, fog, or icing,
ensuring the safety of the crew and vessel.

Optimizing for efficiency: With knowledge of prevailing winds and currents,

the master can choose routes that utilize favorable conditions, shortening
travel time and reducing fuel consumption.

Making informed decisions: Real-time updates and alerts from the on-board
software allow the master to react quickly to changing weather conditions,
adjust course, and minimize the impact of unfavorable conditions.
• In conclusion, the combination of
comprehensive meteorological information and
powerful on-board software transforms the
master's role from simply navigating the seas to
proactively managing the journey. By leveraging
these tools, they can navigate with confidence,
optimize their voyages, and ensure the safety
and well-being of their crew.

• Please remember that the specific type of

charts, software, and data displays will vary
depending on the vessel, the technology
available, and the specific voyage.
 • Importance of Timely Communication:
Any messages received
from the routing service
during a weather-routed
voyage, especially those
• Safety first: Adverse weather conditions can
warning of adverse pose significant risks to the vessel, crew, and
conditions, must be cargo. Delays in communicating warnings can
brought to the master's potentially hinder the master's ability to take
attention immediately. timely action to avoid dangerous situations.
Here's why:
• Decision-making needs: Early awareness of
impending hazards allows the master to
consider all options and make informed
decisions about adjusting the course, speed, or
other aspects of the voyage to ensure safety
and minimize potential damage.
 Any messages received
from the routing service
during a weather-routed • Importance of Timely Communication:
voyage, especially those
warning of adverse
conditions, must be • Preparedness and response: Prompt
brought to the master's
attention immediately. notification enables the crew to prepare
Here's why: for the upcoming conditions,
implementing necessary safety measures
and securing equipment to reduce risks
and ensure their own well-being.
 Severity levels: Routing services often prioritize
warnings based on the severity of the expected
conditions. Messages about critical hazards requiring
immediate action should be communicated promptly
and without delay.
Communication channels: Routing services typically
Communication have established communication channels, such as
dedicated phone lines, email, or satellite data services,
Protocols: to ensure reliable and timely delivery of messages to
the vessel.
Onboard acknowledgment: Upon receiving a warning
message, the officer on watch should acknowledge it
with the routing service and immediately inform the
master
 Assessment and evaluation: The master will assess the
warning information in light of the current situation, the
vessel's capabilities, and the planned route. They will
then determine the most appropriate course of action.

Decision dissemination: The master will communicate

Master's the decision to the crew, informing them of the
Responsibility: expected conditions and any necessary precautions to
be taken.

Documentation and monitoring: The warning message

and the master's response should be documented in
the ship's logbook for future reference and potential
investigations.
• Remember: Weather
conditions can change
rapidly at sea. Prompt
communication of
warnings and effective
decision-making by the
master are crucial for
ensuring the safety and
well-being of everyone
onboard during a
weather-routed voyage.
 • 1. Ships’ routing systems contribute to safety
of life at sea, safety and efficiency of
General navigation and/or protection of the marine
environment. Ships’ routing systems are
Provision on recommended for use by, and may be made
Ship’s mandatory for, all ships, certain categories of
ships or ships carrying certain cargoes, when
Routing adopted and implemented in accordance
with the guidelines and criteria developed
by the Organization.
 • 2. The Organization is recognized as the only
international body for developing guidelines,
criteria and regulations on an international
General level for ships’ routing systems. Contracting
Provision on Governments shall refer proposals for the
adoption of ships’ routing systems to the
Ship’s Organization. The Organization will collate
and disseminate to Contracting
Routing Governments all relevant information with
regard to any adopted ships’ routing
systems.
 • 3. The initiation of action for establishing
General a ships’ routing system is the
Provision responsibility of the Government or
Governments concerned. In developing
on Ship’s such systems for adoption by the
Routing Organization, the guidelines and criteria
developed by the Organization1 shall be
taken into account.
 • 4. Ships’ routing systems should be
submitted to the Organization for
adoption. However, a Government or
General Governments implementing ships’
Provision routing systems not intended to be
submitted to the Organization for
on Ship’s adoption or which have not been
Routing adopted by the Organization are
encouraged to take into account,
wherever possible, the guidelines and
criteria developed by the
Organization.
 • 5. Where two or more Governments have
a common interest in a particular area,
they should formulate joint proposals for
General the delineation and use of a routing
system therein on the basis of an
Provision agreement between them. Upon receipt
on Ship’s of such proposal and before proceeding
with consideration of it for adoption, the
Routing Organization shall ensure that details of
the proposal are disseminated to the
Governments which have a common
interest in the area, including countries
in the vicinity of the proposed ships’
routing system.
 • 6. Contracting Governments shall
adhere to the measures adopted by the
Organization concerning ships’ routing.
General They shall promulgate all information
Provision necessary for the safe and effective use
of adopted ships’ routing systems. A
on Ship’s Government or Governments concerned
Routing may monitor traffic in those systems.
Contracting Governments shall do
everything in their power to secure the
appropriate use of ships’ routing systems
adopted by the Organization.
 • 7. A ship shall use a mandatory ships’
General routing system adopted by the
Organization as required for its category
Provision or cargo carried and in accordance with
on Ship’s the relevant provisions in force unless
there are compelling reasons not to use
Routing a particular ships’ routing system. Any
such reason shall be recorded in the
ships’ log.
General
• 8. Mandatory ships’ routing systems
Provision shall be reviewed by the Contracting
on Ship’s Government or Governments concerned
in accordance with the guidelines and
Routing criteria developed by the Organization.
General • 9. All adopted ships’ routing systems
and actions taken to enforce
Provision compliance with those systems shall
on Ship’s be consistent with international law,
including the relevant provisions of
Routing the 1982 United Nations Convention
on the Law of the Sea.
General • 10. Nothing in this regulation nor its
associated guidelines and criteria
Provision shall prejudice the rights and duties
on Ship’s of Governments under international
law or the legal regimes of straits
Routing used for international navigation and
archipelagic sea lanes.