Conditions should be checked separately on each side of an island route. Each side should be matched to a relevant marine warning area, with its forecast reviewed for wind direction and force, weather, visibility and sea state, and any displayed warnings recorded.
A consistent check for each side
The inshore forecast contains details of wind direction and force, weather, visibility and sea state. Selecting a marine warning area on the map displays the forecast and warnings for that selected area.
| Field | What to check on each side |
|---|---|
| Selected area | The marine warning area used for that side of the route. |
| Wind | The forecast wind direction and force. |
| Weather | The weather shown in the forecast. |
| Visibility | The visibility shown in the forecast. |
| Sea state | The sea state shown in the forecast. |
| Warnings | Any warnings displayed for the selected area. |
The same fields should be used for both sides, while the entries remain separate. This avoids presenting one selected area's forecast as if it described the other.
What still needs separate confirmation
Nothing in the cited guidance specifies a universal wind, visibility or sea-state threshold, how long the displayed information should be treated as current, or a route-specific decision about whether a crossing may proceed. It also does not explain how to match a particular island route to the relevant map areas. The reader must still confirm the area-to-route match and any route-specific restrictions, and check separately whether travel can proceed. The forecast check is planning information, not a guarantee that a journey can proceed.