What's happened to the inshore forecast 3 day outlook for UK waters?

[Sgeir]

What\'s happened to the inshore forecast 3 day outlook for UK waters?

At the risk of repeating myself (see earlier thread), does anyone understand why, with all the MCA emphasis on safety and weather awareness etc, the Met Office has seen fit to stop publishing (and the MCA to stop broadcasting) the outlook for UK waters over the following three days at the end of each inshore forecast?

According to the Met Office, the Inshore waters/strong winds forecast "includes strong coastal wind warnings in force, coastal forecasts and an outlook for the next few days". Yet when you click to the inshore forecast page, there is a 24 hour forecast and an "outlook" that looks remarkably like a forecast for the second 24 hour period.

Similarly, at Easter, Clyde Coastguard was no longer broadcasting the "outlook for UK waters over the following three days" (following the first two 24 hour periods).

For all its lack of certainty, the three day outlook was an important aid to passage planning and safety, particularly in areas like the Hebrides where weather conditions can be volatile. I am well aware that other online forecasts are available, but to these are of little use to those whose cruising grounds are in remote areas, or to those who wish to avoid harbours/marinas.

Does anyone know why the UK waters 3 day outlook is not available?

Or are we supposed to phone up premium rate lines (again not much use in many western cruising areas)?

 

[Sgeir]

Re: What\'s happened to the inshore forecast 3 day outlook for UK waters?

I see that Frank Singleton's article on the Cruising Association website says that "the extended (3 to 5 day) national outlook will continue on NAVTEX 490 kHz. As, also, will the once a day 3 to 5 day Sea Area outlooks on NAVTEX 518 kHz".

Which is fine for those who have Navtex. However, I'm aware that Navtex is not terribly reliable in my own cruising area, a point acknowledged by Frank Singleton and the RYA.

I really cannot understand how the MCA can suggest that a diminution of service will somehow improve safety at sea (the changes were presented in the context of "improvements").

 

[Stoshak]

Re: What\'s happened to the inshore forecast 3 day outlook for UK waters?

I agree wholeheartedly

I hope to cross to Cherbourg soon, and the Met Office and BBC websites are of little use at all. Shipping forecast for 24 hrs, Inshore Waters 48. Useless for medium term planning.

And there is always the impression that any information is supplied grudgingly to charity cases who won't pay premium rates.

So we have to rely upon semi official sources who do a much better job. Surfers and suchlike.

I blame Hilda who made the Met Office, Hydrographic Office etc., pretend that they were commercial profit making organisations.

And don't talk to me about Southern Water!

 

[matt1]

Re: What\'s happened to the inshore forecast 3 day outlook for UK waters?

Despite what Frank S wrote, the evidence seems to suggest the three day outlook has been dropped. I haven't got in on 490khz navtex at all this season and it doesn't appear to be included anymore on the met office website.

As others have said, it was useful from a planning perspective. What really annoys is when they say they will do something (or continue to do something) but then don't.

BTW - Tell me if I am wrong and show me where the three-five day outlook is and I will only be too pleased to be corrected!

 

[Robin]

Re: What\'s happened to the inshore forecast 3 day outlook for UK waters?

Navtex is indeed unreliable especially inshore when you might be wanting to look forward, reception can be affected by the proximity of high ground, buildings and so on not to mention by electrical interference from shorepower chargers. However when you even receive every forecast it has been whittled down so much as to be of little value, my old english teacher would have been very proud of their ability to precis data! Here in the south we routinely hear shipping forecasts or get Navtex versions of same that run something like Humber Thames Dover Wight Portland Plymouth Biscay NE3-4 inc 4-5 locally 6, showers, moderate or good occasionally poor... That means they are forecasting the same weather for over 1000mls of coastline, giving a wind range from F3-F6, and vis anywhere from pi$$ poor to excellent! Often a comparison with the inshore forecasts suggest that the '6' will be restricted say to Dover Straits only - so why give this for all? However they have spread bet the forecast conditions so much whatever weather occurs they can claim they were right!

We crossed the Channel recently with a shipping forecast of NE4 or 5 locally 6, mod or good occ poor. In practice we had so little wind (and our boat sails in very light winds) that we didn't even put the mainsail up for the entire trip, we did however spend many hours in radar mode with visibility under 1ml! I think the 4 or 5 or 6 related to mph windspeed, not even knots let alone Beaufort, however it did blow as forecast way east up Channel in Dover.

Wherever possible we use internet weather from a variety of sites, fortunately we have WiFi in our marina as does Cherbourg and more and more UK harbours too. At least that allows some better collation of data but of course on board without access only the radio/VHF/Navtex is available. In French waters there is an excellent forecast system via their coastguard VHF coast stations that gives a rolling forecast (doesn't just repeat the morning one all day) and an outlook every time. Not a lot of help for you where you sail I know.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Re: What\'s happened to the inshore forecast 3 day outlook for UK waters?

I've pretty much stopped using CG braodcast forecasts... not only are they infrequent and too brief, they are generally inaccurate!

As above, the Wifi derived Internet forecasts are a much better bet.... however, I do struggle to get a Wifi signal 40nm offshore in the middle of the North Sea!!!!

Sadly, the long offered service of a reliable national broadcast weather forecast appears to be a waining one... yet another victim of modern Britain....

 

[alldownwind]

Re: What\'s happened to the inshore forecast 3 day outlook for UK waters?

Well, why don't we all do something about it? Here's a link to the MCA feedback page, let's tell 'em!
http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga-the_mca/mcga-customer_feedback.htm

 

[Sgeir]

Re: What\'s happened to the inshore forecast 3 day outlook for UK waters?

Might be worth a try, but don't hold your breath.

About two years ago, I asked them to state precisely how they define the following on the CG66:
<ul type="square"> Hull Colour (Upper)
Hull Colour (Lower)
Colour, Topsides [/list] I received an acknowledgement, but no further communication. TBH, I don't think their online customer service is an area of MCA excellence.

 

[rhumlady]

Re: What\'s happened to the inshore forecast 3 day outlook for UK waters?

A few years ago I spent four days cruising Gigha/ Islay and was recieving the Irish forcast from Malin Head. It was forecasting Thundery showers moving slowly up the west coast of Ireland. The UKCG forecast said absolutly nothing of it and when it arrived It was spectacular for an afternoon. It wasn't the first time I have seen the difference between the UK and Ireland.

 

[bluedragon]

Re: What\'s happened to the inshore forecast 3 day outlook for UK water

[ QUOTE ]
Well, why don't we all do something about it? Here's a link to the MCA feedback page, let's tell 'em!
http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga-the_mca/mcga-customer_feedback.htm

[/ QUOTE ]

Just did it...

 

[Sgeir]

Re: What\'s happened to the inshore forecast 3 day outlook for UK water

Moi aussi. I used the feedback form at http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga-home/mcga-contact-us.htm. Fingers crossed for a reasonable response.

 

[Stork_III]

Re: What\'s happened to the inshore forecast 3 day outlook for UK waters?

According to the MCA document announcing the changes it should be in each Schedule A & B broadcast. Schedule A given around 0700 & 1900. Seems that "when and where appropriate actually means not at all.

"The following broadcast times will come into effect from the 1st February 2007.
Schedule A - Full Maritime Safety Information broadcast, including new Inshore Forecast, Gale Warnings, Shipping Forecast, WZ Navigation Warnings, SUBFACTS & GUNFACTS where appropriate, three Day Fisherman's Forecast when and where appropriate.
Schedule B - New Inshore Forecast plus previous Outlook*, Gale Warnings.
Schedule C - Repetition of Inshore Forecast and Gale Warnings as per previous Schedule A or B broadcast plus new SWW.
Schedule D - Repetition of Inshore Forecast, Gale Warnings This (MF) routine is only made if there are gale warnings in force.
*Note: the new 'interim' forecast provided in Schedule B does not include an updated outlook. The previous outlook will therefore be provided with this 'interim' forecast and repetition broadcast."

 

[graham]

Re: What\'s happened to the inshore forecast 3 day outlook for UK water

[ QUOTE ]
About two years ago, I asked them to state precisely how they define the following on the CG66:

Hull Colour (Upper)
Hull Colour (Lower)
Colour, Topsides

[/ QUOTE ]

Topsides allways used to mean the sides of the hull between the waterline and the sheerline.

These days it seems to get misused as a term for superstructure,coachhouse cabin top or whatever its called /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

You would expect HMCG to use the correct word.