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˜ 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.

˜ The international PMO network is vital to the

success of the JCOMM VOS Scheme, to;
˜ Maintain the strength of the international VOS.
˜ Maintain the quality and frequency of ships¶ weather
reports.
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˜ ároadly defined by the WMO;

˜ WMO Technical Regulations (WMO No. 49).
˜ Guide to Marine Meteorological Services (471).
˜ Manual on Marine Meteorological Services (558).

˜ Specifically defined by the NMS having considered

the port being serviced, and the type and volume of
marine traffic.

˜ The range of functions will include:

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˜ Recruit ships of any nationality into, and maintain

a national VOS fleet.
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˜ Regularly visit ships recruited into the national

VOS fleet to;
˜ Maintain contact with the Observers.
˜ Provide ongoing training to the Observers.
˜ Maintain and inspect the meteorological and
selected oceanographic instruments.
˜ Check the presence and condition of supplied
handbooks, meteorological tables and charts.
˜ Maintain the ship's supply of logbooks, autographic
charts, muslin, wicks and other consumables.
˜ Recover and inspect completed logbooks and
autographic charts.
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˜ 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)
˜ All instrumentation supplied and recovered.
˜ All instrument checks and calibrations, including
dates.
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˜ rpon the request of the Master of any ship and

regardless of its country of recruitment;
˜ Check the meteorological and selected oceanographic
instruments.
˜ Provide advice or assistance on meteorological
matters.
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˜ provide the following services to ships, regardless

of their nationality and country of recruitment;
˜ Perform a barometer check.
˜ Check meteorological code tables.
˜ Check instructions for Observers.
˜ Install TrRáOWIN and Meteoclass software in sat-c
terminal
˜ Provide advice on bulletins, including a list of areas
for which forecasts are issued and to update the
relevant facsimile broadcast schedules.
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˜ Promote and maintain liaison with;

˜ The NMS. (O/o DDGM(WF) Pune)
˜ Neighbouring PMOs.
˜ Harbour authorities and shipping companies.
˜ Merchant marine schools.
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˜ 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.
˜ Explain code 41 (For the transmission of
meteorological observations, free of cost)
˜ The reception and adequacy of forecasts, bulletins
and facsimile broadcasts, and to bring pertinent
comments to the attention of the NMS.
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˜ Support complementary national, regional and

international marine programmes, such as;
˜ Drifting áuoy Programme.
˜ Argo Float Programme.
˜ Ship of Opportunity Programme.
˜ Automated Shipboard Aerological Programme.
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˜ Number of ships in VOS is not important

It is the number of ships which reports that
count
˜ Coded Observations are worthless if they
are not received at the Forecasting Office
˜ Doesn¶t matter which country a ship reports
for, so long as it reports.
 




˜ Visits to IVOF Ships

˜ Visits to Foreign VOS

What makes an effective visit?

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Prioritise ships to visit
˜ Read notes on last visit
˜ Check Observation¶s quality

áe informed ready to target any problem areas

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Visit Master - discuss Observations programme,
forecasts, voyage, marine industry
˜ On áridge - check instruments, stationery
˜ Ask to see Log book - discuss coding with duty
officer & discuss any coding errors
˜ View transmission format on hard copy of telex
messages
˜ Collect information required in VOSCLIM form
 



˜ Record details of visit in VOS database

˜ Follow up on any issues
˜ Advise by Email, or mail supplies
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˜ Real Time access to GTS SHIP

Observations
˜ áenefits of preparedness
˜ Constant monitoring of Observations and
follow up visits to ships are crucial
˜ Providing ships with clear instructions
  



˜ Remember Ships are doing us a favour -

thank and encourage them to ensure
continued Observations.
˜ Credibility - PMO is the interface between
Met Service & Maritime industry
˜ Visits provide intelligence on changes in
Maritime industry
˜ Discretion required with info learned
  

˜ Same as national VOS

˜ Support, thank, encourage, discuss value of
their Observations
˜ If ship unknown - ask if doing
Observations?
˜ Look at logbook and transmission format
Discuss any coding problems
 
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˜ Which ships to target?

Try to recruit newly constructed ship
˜ Seek permission from Shipping Company

Satisfy local requirements

- charter length, route, interest,
communications
   
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˜ Is it a PAá with MSL Correction Table?

˜ Is it an Aneroid set to MSL?
˜ Is it an Aneroid set to station level and used
with a MSL correction table?
  
 

 





˜ After comparison, calibration label issued

must not be ambiguous
˜ Ship¶s Officer must understand how any
correction is to be applied
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˜ Visiting
± Preparedness, Access to real time GTS Oás
˜ Recruitment
± Follow up
˜ áarometer comparisons
± Determining barometer setting, unambiguous labels
˜ Performance Monitoring
± Constant checking