How It Works

Passage Monitoring is provided free of charge.  As a New Zealand registered charity, we gratefully accept donations towards our operating costs.

Prerequisites

  1. Vessel must have transmitting AIS with MMSI issued by flag state.

  2. Vessel must be able to communicate with Passage Guardian via email, SMS or WhatsApp whilst on passage.

  3. You must commit to sending a daily report when on passage.

Before Departure

  • 24 hours prior to departure, the Vessel captain files a FLOAT PLAN with detailed information about vessel, crew and intended voyage.

  • Passage Guardian programs MarineTraffic.com to track the vessel using satellite AIS and configures notifications for stopped, and sailing in high wind.

  • Passage Guardian confirms via email, receipt of float plan. 

On Passage

  • Vessel captain sends DAILY REPORT.  If the daily report is not received, Passage Guardian commences the Missed Check-In Procedure.

  • Passage Guardian checks progress using satellite AIS at least daily, and investigates causes of MarineTraffic.com vessel off-course or stopped notifications (at any time).

  • Passage Guardian sends via email, latest GMDSS weather forecast for the METAREA vessel is transiting.  This feature is only enabled for vessels with email at sea capability (not including Garmin InReach).

 On Safe Arrival

  • Vessel captain closes the FLOAT PLAN by sending email to peter@passageguardian.nz or SMS, WhatsApp message to +64212794995.


Disclaimer

Passage Monitoring is a best effort service to monitor the progress of a vessel conducting an ocean passage.

Passage Monitoring is provided free of charge, and offered without any warranty.

Vessel owner and captain agree to indemnify HF Radio Charitable Trust and Peter Mott against any damage or loss howsoever caused as a result of using this service.

For the avoidance of doubt, Passage Guardian does NOT provide;

  • Distress, urgency or emergency communication
  • Weather routing services to vessels

I recommend engaging a professional meteorologist to provide a tailored weather forecast and best departure date. Most routers will also (on request) provide a route and send you updates whilst you are on passage.

Additionally, I recommend a subscription to PredictWind which I consider a "must have" aboard any cruising yacht.