Guidelines to Port Meteorological Officers By S P Joshi Assistant Meteorologist.

Guidelines to Port Guidelines to Port Meteorological OfficersMeteorological Officers

By S P JoshiBy S P Joshi

Assistant MeteorologistAssistant Meteorologist

Role of the PMORole of the PMO

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.

Responsibilities of the PMOResponsibilities of the PMO

Broadly 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:

Functions of the PMOFunctions of the PMO

Recruit ships of any nationality into, and maintain a national VOS fleet.


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.


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.


Upon 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.


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 TURBOWIN 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.


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


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.


Support complementary national, regional and international marine programmes, such as;

Drifting Buoy Programme. Argo Float Programme. Ship of Opportunity Programme. Automated Shipboard Aerological Programme.

Keep in your mind

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.

Ship VisitsShip Visits

Visits to IVOF Ships

Visits to Foreign VOS

What makes an effective visit?

IVOF - Before VisitIVOF - Before Visit

Preparation is the key

Prioritise ships to visitRead notes on last visitCheck Observation’s quality

Be informed ready to target any problem areas

During VisitDuring 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

On Bridge - 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

After VisitAfter Visit

Record details of visit in VOS databaseFollow up on any issuesAdvise by Email, or mail supplies

Important FactorsImportant Factors

Real Time access to GTS SHIP Observations

Benefits of preparednessConstant monitoring of Observations and

follow up visits to ships are crucialProviding ships with clear instructions

Some PointersSome Pointers

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

On BoardOn Board

Same as national VOSSupport, thank, encourage, discuss value of

their ObservationsIf ship unknown - ask if doing

Observations? Look at logbook and transmission format

Discuss any coding problems

Ship RecruitmentShip Recruitment

Which ships to target?

Try to recruit newly constructed shipSeek permission from Shipping Company

Satisfy local requirements - charter length, route, interest,

communications

Barometer Comparisons on Foreign Barometer Comparisons on Foreign VOS ShipsVOS Ships

Find out the Barometer Type and Setting before making the comparison

Is it a PAB 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?

ComparisonComparison

Must compare like with like

After comparison, calibration label issued

must not be ambiguousShip’s Officer must understand how any

correction is to be applied

Summary of Key Factors which make Summary of Key Factors which make PMO EffectivePMO Effective

Visiting – Preparedness, Access to real time GTS OBs

Recruitment– Follow up

Barometer comparisons– Determining barometer setting, unambiguous labels

Performance Monitoring– Constant checking

Guidelines to Port Meteorological Officers By S P Joshi Assistant Meteorologist.

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