Enclosure (3) to COMDTINST 3140.2D
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORT METEOROLOGICAL OFFICERS
The Port Meteorological Officers visit ships enlisted in the
Voluntary Observing Ship (VOS) Program.
They
(1)
check and calibrate barometers and other meteorological instruments aboard ships.
(2)
assist captains and mates with problems regarding weather observations,
preparation of weather maps at sea, and interpretation of forecasts, conduct
observer training, and
(3)
supply meteorological manuals and forms to ships.
In addition, they provide some meteorological equipment to ships enrolled in the Voluntary
Observing Ship (VOS) Program.
Sources of Marine Information and Forecasts
Ships in the NWS Voluntary Observing Ship Program are entered into a data bank which puts each
ship on the mailing list for the Mariners Weather Log, a quarterly magazine on marine weather;
quarterly distribution of Pilot Charts for the appropriate ocean, and the weekly Notice to Mariners
so that navigational charts may be kept up to date.
On the initial outfitting of a newly recruited vessel, they receive:
1.
National Weather Service Observing Handbook No. 1, Marine Surface Weather
Observations
2.
Radio Stations Accepting Ship's Weather and Oceanographic Observations
3.
Selected Worldwide Marine Weather Broadcasts
4.
Ship's Code Card for encoding/decoding weather reports
5.
All of the necessary forms and pre-addressed envelopes to the servicing PMO
6.
Various Defense Mapping Agency and Naval Oceanographic Command forms and
publications
7.
Sea water temperature thermometer and dip for measuring surface water temperature.
8.
True wind plotting board and calculator for calculating true wind speed and direction
from a moving vessel.
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