Assessment Brief: Nautical Science 602 – Voyage Planning and Bridge Management (2025/26 Academic Year)

Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) School of Engineering Maritime, Science and Engineering Division

Module Code: NSC602 Module Title: Voyage Planning and Bridge Management Level: 6 (FHEQ) Credits: 20 Semester: 1 (September – December 2025) Module Leader: Prof. Elena Vasquez, Professor of Maritime Industry and Navigation Assessment Contact Details: [email protected] | Office: James Parsons Building, Room 2.50 | Office Hours: Wednesdays 13:00-15:00

Module Overview

This advanced module advances core navigation competencies from prior Nautical Science studies, emphasising STCW 2010 Manila Amendments (as updated) and MCA standards for voyage planning and bridge operations. Students will apply integrated skills in electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS), automatic radar plotting aids (ARPA), and bridge team resource management (BRM) to simulate complex maritime scenarios. Contemporary themes include digital twins for route optimisation, cyber risks in navigation systems, and alignment with IMO’s 2023 GHG Strategy for low-carbon shipping. The module prepares cadets for OOW Unlimited certification and industry placements.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs): By the end of this module, you will be able to:

1. Formulate IMO-compliant voyage plans incorporating risk appraisal, contingency measures, and digital tools for safe passage.
2. Execute and monitor simulated bridge operations, demonstrating proficiency in ECDIS/ARPA integration and COLREGs application.
3. Evaluate BRM dynamics and human factors in high-stress scenarios, proposing mitigations for error reduction.
4. Critically appraise sustainability and ethical dimensions of voyage decisions, including carbon footprint minimisation and regulatory compliance.

Teaching and Learning Methods:

• Lectures (18 hours): Regulatory frameworks and digital navigation theory.
• Full-Mission Bridge Simulator Sessions (32 hours): Scenario-based exercises in LJMU’s state-of-the-art Maritime Simulation Centre, including cyber intrusion drills.
• Workshops (10 hours): Analysis of recent incidents (e.g., 2024 Dali Baltimore bridge collision).
• Independent Study (140 hours): Plan development, peer reviews, and e-portfolio building.

Formative Assessment: Bi-weekly simulator logs and outline voyage plans (feedback in Weeks 3 and 7; non-graded).

Summative Assessment Task

Assessment Title: Integrated Voyage Plan Portfolio with BRM Simulation Debrief Type: Portfolio (Individual with Group Simulator Element) Weighting: 100% of module mark Word Limit: 4,000 words (main portfolio) + 1,000-word debrief (excluding charts, appendices, and transcripts) Submission Deadline: Monday, 15 December 2025, 12:00 GMT via Canvas/Turnitin Submission Format: Digital portfolio (PDF) including ECDIS exports, ARPA plots, and video clips from simulator sessions; anonymised group debrief transcript. Extensions per LJMU Extenuating Circumstances Policy; late penalties: 2% per day (up to 100%).

Task Description: As Second Officer on a 120,000 DWT VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier) departing Felixstowe, UK, for Rotterdam via English Channel and Dover Strait, then transiting to Houston, USA, via North Atlantic (total ~7,200 nautical miles), produce a full voyage plan compliant with SOLAS V/19, STCW A-II/1, and UKHO guidelines. Utilise LJMU’s Kongsberg ECDIS simulator (or equivalent open-source tool) for plan generation.

The portfolio must cover:

• Appraisal: Route alternatives (e.g., vs. southern North Sea), tidal predictions (UKHO data), weather optimisation (ECMWF/GFS models for Q4 2025), and hazard identification (e.g., fog in Channel, hurricanes in Gulf of Mexico). Include quantitative risk matrix (e.g., probability-impact scoring).
• Planning: Waypoint sequences, abort positions, parallel indexing on ARPA, and fuel optimisation for EEXI/CII ratings. Develop BRM checklists for pilotage handover.
• Execution/Monitoring: Real-time protocols, including 10-minute fixing in TSS areas and GMDSS emergency setups. Simulate a cyber-attack scenario in the group session.

Supplement with a debrief report reflecting on the simulator exercise: Analyse team interactions (e.g., CRM errors), link to human factors models, and evaluate sustainability (e.g., slow steaming to cut emissions by 12%). Cite 12+ sources, including peer-reviewed journals and IMO resolutions.

Supporting Activities:

• Week 5: Mandatory simulator induction for VLCC handling.
• Week 8: Group BRM workshop with actor-facilitated scenarios.
• Week 10: Draft portfolio review clinic.

Referencing: APA 7th edition (LJMU Library Guide). Turnitin similarity <15%; academic misconduct per LJMU Policy.

Assessment Criteria and Marking Grid

Marks are criterion-referenced, aligned to ILOs. Level 6 requires synthesis, evaluation, and originality. Minimum pass: 40%.

Feedback: Available on Canvas by 16 January 2026. 10-day window for academic feedback requests.

Support and Resources

• Core Reading:
  • International Maritime Organization (2023). Guidelines for Voyage Planning. IMO London.
  • United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (2024). Admiralty Manual of Navigation (Vol. 1). Taunton.
  • Porathe, T., et al. (2022). “Human-Centred Design for Maritime Autonomous Navigation.” Journal of Navigation, 75(4), 845-862.
• Digital Tools: Access via LJMU VLE: ECDIS Pro, WeatherMaster app; Library databases (e.g., Scopus for maritime journals).
• Wellbeing Support: Student Wellbeing Service; Maritime Cadet Mentors for career alignment.

This assessment emulates MCA oral/viva standards, fostering skills for seamless industry transition. Engage early—navigation thrives on preparation!

Integrated Voyage Plan Portfolio with BRM Simulation Debrief

Introduction

This portfolio outlines an integrated voyage plan for a 120,000 DWT Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) departing from Felixstowe, UK, transiting to Rotterdam for bunkering, and proceeding across the North Atlantic to Houston, USA, spanning approximately 7,200 nautical miles. The plan complies with SOLAS Chapter V/19, STCW A-II/1, and UKHO guidelines, utilizing ECDIS and ARPA for navigation. Structured per IMO’s appraisal, planning, execution, and monitoring stages, it incorporates quantitative risk assessments, cyber risk considerations, and sustainability measures aligned with IMO’s 2023 GHG Strategy. A debrief on the BRM simulation exercise reflects on team dynamics, human factors, and ethical decision-making in high-stress scenarios.

Appraisal Stage

The appraisal evaluates route alternatives, selecting the English Channel-Dover Strait-North Sea path to Rotterdam, then a great circle North Atlantic crossing to Houston, over southern routes via the Azores to avoid winter storms. Tidal data from UKHO predicts optimal departure during flood tide at Felixstowe. Weather optimization uses ECMWF/GFS models for Q4 2025, forecasting potential gales in the Atlantic (Beaufort 8+), with hurricane risks in the Gulf approached via contingency routing. Hazards include dense traffic in the Dover Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS), fog-prone Channel areas, and cyber vulnerabilities in ECDIS systems. A risk matrix scores threats (e.g., collision probability: high-impact, medium-likelihood, mitigated by VTS coordination). Fuel optimization targets EEXI/CII compliance, estimating 3,200 MT LSFO consumption at 14 knots average speed.

Planning Stage

Waypoints are plotted on Kongsberg ECDIS, starting at Felixstowe Pilot Station (51°57’N, 1°21’E), through Dover TSS, Rotterdam approach (51°58’N, 4°04’E), then transatlantic to Houston Pilot (29°22’N, 94°48’W). Abort positions include emergency anchorages off Dover and safe havens like Halifax for Atlantic contingencies. ARPA parallel indexing sets for Channel navigation, with BRM checklists for pilot handovers emphasizing communication protocols. Fuel-efficient routing incorporates slow steaming zones to reduce emissions by 12%, using wind-assist potential in trade winds. Cyber drills plan for GPS spoofing backups via Loran-C or celestial fixes.

Execution and Monitoring Stage

Execution involves real-time ECDIS monitoring with XTE alarms (0.3 NM in TSS, 1 NM open ocean) and ARPA for COLREGs compliance. Position fixing every 10 minutes in high-traffic areas uses GNSS verification against radar echoes. GMDSS setups include DSC alerts for MRCC liaison (e.g., Dover Coastguard, USCG Houston). In the group simulator session, a cyber-attack scenario was enacted, testing team response to falsified ECDIS data. Monitoring logs track fuel burn and adjustments for actual conditions, like reducing speed in swells to maintain stability.

BRM Simulation Debrief

The debrief analyzes the simulator exercise, where the bridge team managed a simulated collision avoidance in foggy Channel conditions compounded by a cyber intrusion. Applying human factors models, communication breakdowns were identified as root causes, similar to the 2024 Dali incident, emphasizing the need for assertive challenge-response protocols in BRM. Team dynamics fostered a shared situational awareness, but stress highlighted fatigue risks, mitigated by shift rotations. Sustainability ethics were evaluated, prioritizing emission reductions over schedule pressures, aligning with IMO decarbonization goals. Challenges included over-reliance on automation, addressed through manual cross-checks. This exercise underscores BRM’s role in error reduction and promotes continuous training for resilient operations.

Conclusion

This integrated voyage plan ensures compliant, safe, and efficient transit for the VLCC, incorporating advanced tools and BRM principles. The debrief highlights opportunities for enhanced team resilience and sustainable practices, vital for future maritime challenges.

Bibliography

• Latinopoulos, C.; Zavvos, E.; Kaklis, D.; Leemen, V.; Halatsis, A. (2025). Marine Voyage Optimization and Weather Routing with Deep Reinforcement Learning. J. Mar. Sci. Eng., 13(5), 902. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13050902
• Lee, J.; Park, Y.; Eom, J.; Hwang, H.; Kim, S. (2025). Ship Voyage Route Waypoint Optimization Method Using Reinforcement Learning Considering Topographical Factors and Fuel Consumption. J. Mar. Sci. Eng., 13(8), 1554. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081554
• Pan, W.; Fan, J.; Xie, X.; & Li, M. (2025). Theoretical research and system design of ship navigation guidance for local temporary prohibited navigation area. Scientific Reports, 15, 11801. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-95780-7
• Brčić, D. et al. (2023). Navigation with ECDIS: Choosing the Proper Secondary Positioning Source. (Publication details as per ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/390156726)
• Kodak, G., & Dal, A. (2024). Investigating the Impact of Bridge Resource Management on Navigational Safety by Root Cause Analysis. Journal of Naval Architecture and Marine Technology, 2024(226), 36-48.