MCA Editorial·July 2026
Safe days are planned. Unsafe days are hoped for.
Planning is what turns a trip into a decision, not a reaction.
Weather and Tide
Read the forecast the night before and again in the morning. Look at trends — wind change, front timing, tide against wind — not just the number in the app.
Fuel and Range
One third out, one third back, one third in reserve. Reserve is for surprises, not for range.
People and Comms
Who's on board, what they can and can't do, who ashore knows the plan and when they should start worrying if they haven't heard from you.
Pre-Departure Ritual
- Forecast checked at time of departure
- Fuel calculated with a real reserve
- PFDs on board and sized for every person
- VHF, phone and EPIRB working and reachable
- Trip plan shared with someone ashore
- Crew briefed on emergency roles
Things to Think About
- Do you have a repeatable pre-departure ritual, or do you improvise?
- Who ashore knows your plan on every trip?
- When did you last change plans because the forecast changed?
Key Takeaways
- Planning turns hope into decisions.
- Reserve fuel is for surprises, not range.
- Someone ashore should always know the plan.