Meteorological Strategy for Passages

A weather window exists when the expected wind, sea state, visibility and hazards fit the vessel, route and crew. Define those limits before looking for a favourable forecast: include wind against tide, exposed headlands, harbour-entry constraints, daylight, crew capability, fatigue and the consequences if the forecast is wrong.

Use the latest appropriate official marine forecasts and note each issue time, validity period and geographic area. Compare the Shipping Forecast, Inshore Waters Forecast, current observations, pressure tendency, NAVTEX or other maritime safety information available for the route. Different apps may present the same underlying model, so apparent agreement is not necessarily independent confirmation.

During the passage, compare observations with the forecast: pressure tendency, cloud, visibility, wind direction and force, sea state and actual progress. A falling pressure trend is evidence to interpret with the wider weather picture, not a universal stand-alone threshold. Set review points and decision triggers before exposure increases.

Waiting, shortening the route or diverting is a normal command decision. Name bolt holes, their entry constraints, the latest safe decision time and who receives updated intentions. Reefing, slowing, diverting, heaving-to or another heavy-weather tactic must suit the actual yacht, crew, sea room and conditions rather than being an automatic response.