Guidelines to Port Meteorological Officers Role of the

Guidelines to Port Meteorological Officers

Role of the PMO l The PMO is a representative of the National Meteorological Service (NMS), and is the primary contact with local marine authorities and the maritime community at large. l The international PMO network is vital to the success of the JCOMM VOS Scheme, to; Maintain the strength of the international VOS. l Maintain the quality and frequency of ships’ weather reports. l

Responsibilities of the PMO l Broadly defined by the WMO; WMO Technical Regulations (WMO No. 49). l Guide to Marine Meteorological Services (471). l Manual on Marine Meteorological Services (558). l l Specifically defined by the NMS having considered the port being serviced, and the type and volume of marine traffic. l The range of functions will include:

Functions of the PMO l Recruit ships of any nationality into, and maintain a national VOS fleet.

Functions of the PMO l Regularly visit ships recruited into the national VOS fleet to; Maintain contact with the Observers. l Provide ongoing training to the Observers. l Maintain and inspect the meteorological and selected oceanographic instruments. l Check the presence and condition of supplied handbooks, meteorological tables and charts. l Maintain the ship's supply of logbooks, autographic charts, muslin, wicks and other consumables. l Recover and inspect completed logbooks and autographic charts. l

Functions of the PMO l Maintain accurate records of ships recruited into the national VOS fleet, including; Full ship details, as required for WMO Pub 47. (fill VOSClim Ship Recruitment Form) l All instrumentation supplied and recovered. l All instrument checks and calibrations, including dates. l

Functions of the PMO l Upon the request of the Master of any ship and regardless of its country of recruitment; Check the meteorological and selected oceanographic instruments. l Provide advice or assistance on meteorological matters. l

Functions of the PMO l provide the following services to ships, regardless of their nationality and country of recruitment; Perform a barometer check. l Check meteorological code tables. l Check instructions for Observers. l Install TURBOWIN and Meteoclass software in sat-c terminal l Provide advice on bulletins, including a list of areas for which forecasts are issued and to update the relevant facsimile broadcast schedules. l

Functions of the PMO l Promote and maintain liaison with; The NMS. (O/o DDGM(WF) Pune) l Neighbouring PMOs. l Harbour authorities and shipping companies. l Merchant marine schools. l

Functions of the PMO l Inquire from ship's officers of any problems that may be experienced, such as The transmission of observations (meteorological or oceanographic) to a Land Earth Stations (LES) or other facility. l Explain code 41 (For the transmission of meteorological observations, free of cost) l The reception and adequacy of forecasts, bulletins and facsimile broadcasts, and to bring pertinent comments to the attention of the NMS. l

Functions of the PMO l Support complementary national, regional and international marine programmes, such as; Drifting Buoy Programme. l Argo Float Programme. l Ship of Opportunity Programme. l Automated Shipboard Aerological Programme. l

Keep in your mind l Number of ships in VOS is not important It is the number of ships which reports that count l Coded Observations are worthless if they are not received at the Forecasting Office l Doesn’t matter which country a ship reports for, so long as it reports.

Ship Visits l Visits to IVOF Ships l Visits to Foreign VOS What makes an effective visit?

IVOF - Before Visit Preparation is the key Prioritise ships to visit l Read notes on last visit l Check Observation’s quality Be informed ready to target any problem areas

During Visit Purpose of visit - to thank for Observations, to encourage, to train, to check instruments, to issue supplies Visit Master - discuss Observations programme, forecasts, voyage, marine industry l On Bridge - check instruments, stationery l Ask to see Log book - discuss coding with duty officer & discuss any coding errors l View transmission format on hard copy of telex messages l Collect information required in VOSCLIM form

After Visit l Record details of visit in VOS database l Follow up on any issues l Advise by Email, or mail supplies

Important Factors l Real Time access to GTS SHIP Observations l Benefits of preparedness l Constant monitoring of Observations and follow up visits to ships are crucial l Providing ships with clear instructions

Some Pointers l Remember Ships are doing us a favour thank and encourage them to ensure continued Observations. l Credibility - PMO is the interface between Met Service & Maritime industry l Visits provide intelligence on changes in Maritime industry l Discretion required with info learned

On Board l Same as national VOS l Support, thank, encourage, discuss value of their Observations l If ship unknown - ask if doing Observations? l Look at logbook and transmission format Discuss any coding problems

Ship Recruitment l Which ships to target? Try to recruit newly constructed ship l Seek permission from Shipping Company Satisfy local requirements - charter length, route, interest, communications

Barometer Comparisons on Foreign VOS Ships Find out the Barometer Type and Setting before making the comparison l Is it a PAB with MSL Correction Table? l Is it an Aneroid set to MSL? l Is it an Aneroid set to station level and used with a MSL correction table?

Comparison Must compare like with like l After comparison, calibration label issued must not be ambiguous l Ship’s Officer must understand how any correction is to be applied

Summary of Key Factors which make PMO Effective l Visiting – Preparedness, Access to real time GTS OBs l Recruitment – Follow up l Barometer comparisons – Determining barometer setting, unambiguous labels l Performance Monitoring – Constant checking