1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 The IMO/WMO Worldwide Met-Ocean Information and Warning Service
(WWMIWS) is the internationally coordinated service for the promulgation of
meteorological warnings and forecasts to vessels undertaking international or
national voyages.
1.2 The purpose of this Guidance is to provide specific guidance for the
promulgation of meteorological warnings and forecasts. Its guidance does not apply
to purely national services which supplement these internationally coordinated
services.
1.3 WWMIWS coordinates the necessary meteorological information
requirements outlined in regulation V/5 (Meteorological services and warnings) of the
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended (the 1974
SOLAS Convention), which states:
-
"2 In particular, Contracting Governments undertake to carry out, in
cooperation, the following meteorological arrangements:
-
.10 To endeavour to obtain a uniform procedure in regard to the
international meteorological services already specified, and, as
far as is practicable, to conform to the Technical Regulations
and recommendations made by the World Meteorological
Organization, to which the Contracting Governments may refer for
study and advice any meteorological question which may arise in
carrying out the present Convention."
1.4 Resolution A.705(17), as amended, on Promulgation of Maritime
Safety Information, sets out the organization, standards and methods which
should be used for the promulgation and reception of Maritime Safety Information,
including navigational and meteorological warnings, meteorological forecasts and
other urgent safety-related messages broadcast to ships, as documented in the 1974
SOLAS Convention. The WMO Executive Council, at its sixty-first session (June 2009),
requested WMO to establish and develop, in collaboration with IMO, terms of
reference for the development of an IMO/WMO Worldwide Met-Ocean Information and
Warning Service guidance document, to complement the existing IMO/IHO World-Wide
Navigational Warning Service guidance document, provided in resolution A.706(17), as
amended.
1.5 The regulatory framework for the provision of marine meteorological
services within the new WMO GMDSS Marine Broadcast System was developed from
Recommendation 3 (CMM-XI) in 1993, endorsed by the WMO Executive Council at its
forty-fourth session. This new system reflects the evolution since the advent of the
GMDSS, as adopted by the Conference of Contracting Governments to the 1974 SOLAS
Convention on the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System in November 1988,
effective on 1 February 1992. The WMO GMDSS Marine Broadcast System is an integral
part of WWMIWS.
1.6 Future amendments to this guidance document will be considered
formally and approved by both WMO and IMO in accordance with the procedure set out
in section 8. Proposed amendments should be evaluated by the World-Wide Met-Ocean
Information and Warning Service Committee (WWMIWS-C) of the Joint WMO-IOC Technical
Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM), which includes an
ex-officio representative of the IMO Secretariat, prior to any extensive WMO and IMO
consideration.
2 DEFINITIONS
For the purposes of WWMIWS, the following definitions apply:
-
.1 Coastal and offshore waters apply to areas for which WMO
Members issue weather and sea bulletins, governed by the procedures in
the Manual on Marine Meteorological Services (WMO-No. 558).
-
.2 Enhanced Group Call (EGC) means the broadcast of coordinated
Maritime Safety Information and Search and Rescue related information,
to a defined geographical area using a recognized mobile satellite
service.
-
.3 Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) means a
system that performs the functions set out in SOLAS regulation IV/4, as
amended.
-
.4 HF NBDP means High Frequency narrow-band direct-printing, using
radio telegraphy as defined in Recommendation ITU-R M.688.
-
.5 International Enhanced Group Call service means the coordinated
broadcast of Maritime Safety Information and Search and Rescue related
information, via Enhanced Group Call, using the English language.
-
.6 International Iridium service means the coordinated broadcast
and automatic reception of Maritime Safety Information and Search and
Rescue related information via Enhanced Group Call, using the English
language.
-
.7 International NAVTEX service means the coordinated broadcast
and automatic reception on 518 kHz of Maritime Safety Information by
means of narrow-band direct-printing telegraphy using the English
language.footnote
-
.8 International SafetyNET service means the coordinated broadcast
and automatic reception of Maritime Safety Information and Search and
Rescue related information via Enhanced Group Call, using the English
language.
-
.9 Issuing Service means a National Meteorological and
Hydrological Service (NMHS) or National Authority which has accepted
responsibility for ensuring that meteorological warnings and forecasts
for shipping are disseminated through the International EGC service to
the designated METAREA for which the NMHS or National Authority has
accepted responsibility under the broadcast requirements of the GMDSS
.footnote
-
.10 Maritime Safety Information (MSI)footnote means navigational and meteorological
warnings, meteorological forecasts and other urgent safety-related
messages broadcast to ships.
-
.11 Maritime Safety Information service means the internationally
and nationally coordinated network of broadcasts containing information,
which is necessary for safe navigation.
-
.12 METAREA means a geographical sea areafootnote established for the purpose of
coordinating the broadcast of marine meteorological information. The
term METAREA followed by a roman numeral may be used to identify a
particular sea area. The delimitation of such areas is not related to
and should not prejudice the delimitation of any boundaries between
States.
-
.13 METAREA Coordinator means the individual with the authority to
coordinate marine meteorological information broadcasts by one or more
National Meteorological and Hydrological Services acting as Preparation
or Issuing Services within the METAREA.
-
.14 Meteorological information means the marine meteorological
warning and forecast information in accordance with the provisions of
the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as
amended.
-
.15 National NAVTEX service means the broadcast and automatic
reception of Maritime Safety Information by means of narrow-band
direct-printing telegraphy using frequencies other than 518 kHz and
languages as decided by the Administration concerned.
-
.16 National Enhanced Group Call service means the broadcasting
and automated reception of Maritime Safety Information via EGC, using
languages as decided by the Administration concerned.
-
.17 NAVAREA means a geographical sea areafootnote established for the purpose of
coordinating the broadcast of navigational warnings. The term NAVAREA
followed by a roman numeral may be used to identify a particular sea
area. The delimitation of such areas is not related to and should not
prejudice the delimitation of any boundaries between States.
-
.18 NAVTEX means the system for the broadcast and automatic
reception of Maritime Safety Information by means of narrow-band
direct-printing telegraphy.
-
.19 NAVTEX Coordinator means the authority charged with operating
and managing one or more NAVTEX stations broadcasting Maritime Safety
Information as part of the International NAVTEX service.
-
.20 NAVTEX coverage area means an area defined by an arc of a
circle having a radius from the transmitter calculated according to the
method and criteria given in resolution A.801(19), as amended.
-
.21 NAVTEX service area means a unique and precisely defined sea
area, wholly contained within the NAVTEX coverage area, for which
Maritime Safety Information is provided from a particular NAVTEX
transmitter. It is normally defined by a line that takes full account of
local propagation conditions and the character and volume of information
and maritime traffic patterns in the region, as given in resolution
A.801(19), as amended.
-
.22 Other urgent safety-related information means Maritime Safety
Information broadcast to ships that is not defined as a navigational
warning or meteorological information. This may include, but is not
limited to, significant malfunctions or changes to maritime
communications systems, and new or amended mandatory ship reporting
systems or maritime regulations affecting ships at sea.
-
.23 Preparation Service means a National Meteorological and
Hydrological Service or National Authority which has accepted
responsibility for the preparation of warnings and forecasts for parts
of or an entire METAREA in the WMO system for the dissemination of
meteorological forecasts and warnings to shipping under the GMDSS and
for their transfer to the relevant Issuing Service for broadcast.
-
.24 Recognized mobile satellite service means any service which
operates through a satellite system and is recognized by IMO for use in
the GMDSS.
-
.25 Sub-area means a subdivision of a NAVAREA/METAREA in which a
number of countries have established a coordinated system for the
promulgation of Maritime Safety Information. The delimitation of such
areas is not related to and should not prejudice the delimitation of any
boundaries between States.
-
.26 Sub-area Coordinator means the authority charged with
coordinating, collating and issuing Sub-area warnings for a designated
Sub-area.
-
.27 User defined area means a temporary geographic area, either
circular or rectangular, to which Maritime Safety Information or Search
and Rescue related information is addressed.
-
.28 UTC means Coordinated Universal Time which is equivalent to
GMT (or ZULU) as the international time standard.
-
.29 In the operating procedures, coordination means
that the allocation of the time for data broadcast is centralized, the
format and criteria of data transmissions are compliant as described in
the Joint IMO/IHO/WMO Manual on Maritime Safety Information and that all
services are managed as set out in resolutions A.705(17), as amended,
A.706(17), as amended, and A.1051(27), as amended.
3 METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION BROADCASTS
3.1 Methods
3.1.1 The two principal methods used for broadcasting marine meteorological
information as part of MSI in accordance with the provisions of the 1974 SOLAS
Convention, in the areas covered by these methods, are as follows:
3.1.2 Information should be provided for unique and precisely defined sea areas, each
being served only by the most appropriate of the above methods. Although there will
be some duplication to allow a ship to change from one method to another, the
majority of MSI will be broadcast either on NAVTEX or by EGC.
3.1.3 NAVTEX broadcasts should be made in accordance with the standards and
procedures set out in the NAVTEX Manual.
3.1.4 EGC broadcasts should be made in accordance with the standards and procedures
set out in the IMO Manuals of the recognized mobile satellite service providers.
3.1.5 HF NBDP may be used to promulgate MSI in areas outside EGC and
NAVTEX coverage (SOLAS regulation IV/7.1.5).
3.1.6 In addition, Administrations may also provide meteorological warnings and
forecasts by other means. WMO has organized an Internet-based website portal to
display MSI bulletins for each METAREA and some national services.
3.1.7 In the event of failure of normal transmission facilities, an alternative means
of transmission should be utilized. A NAVAREA/METAREA warning and a coastal warning,
if possible, should be issued detailing the failure, its duration and, if known, the
alternative route for the dissemination of MSI.
3.2 Scheduling
3.2.1 Automated methods (NAVTEX/Enhanced Group Call)
3.2.1.1 At least two scheduled daily broadcast times are necessary to provide
adequate promulgation for routine meteorological information.
3.2.1.2 Meteorological warnings are issued in a timely manner when hazardous
conditions are expected to reach documented threshold values and updated, amended or
cancelled, as appropriate, according to documented criteria. Normally, the initial
broadcast should be made as follows:
-
.1 for NAVTEX, at the next scheduled broadcast, unless circumstances
indicate the use of procedures for VITAL or IMPORTANT warnings; and
-
.2 for EGC, broadcast is immediate.
3.2.1.3 Meteorological warnings should be repeated in scheduled broadcasts in
accordance with the guidelines promulgated in the NAVTEX Manual and in the IMO
manuals of the recognized mobile satellite service providers, as appropriate.
3.2.2 Schedule changes
3.2.2.1 Broadcast times for NAVTEX are defined by the B1 character of the station,
allocated by the IMO NAVTEX Coordinating Panel.
3.2.2.2 Times of scheduled broadcasts under the International EGC service are
coordinated through the IMO Enhanced Group Call Coordinating Panel.
3.2.2.3 Information on broadcast schedules for WWMIWS bulletins are contained in
WMO-No.9, Volume D, Information for shipping.
4 METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION
4.1 General
4.1.1 Marine meteorological services are provided to satisfy the requirements for
information on marine environmental conditions and phenomena, established by
national practices and international conventions in relation to marine operations.
4.1.2 Marine meteorological services are designed for the safety of marine operations
and to promote, where possible, the efficiency and economy of marine activities.
4.1.3 The WWMIWS guidance and coordination for marine meteorological MSI messages
issued on EGC, NAVTEX and HF NBDP communication systems covers the following areas:
-
.1 warnings and forecasts for the high seas; and
-
.2 warnings and forecasts for coastal, offshore and local waters
(including ports, lakes and harbour areas).
4.1.4 Operational guidance for formatting meteorological information is given in
detail in the WMO Manual on Marine Meteorological Services (WMO-No.558) and the
Joint IMO/IHO/WMO Manual on Maritime Safety Information.
4.2 Services for the High Seas
Marine meteorological services for the high seas include provision of:
4.2.1 Meteorological Warnings
4.2.1.1 Warnings are issued for the following phenomena:
4.2.1.2 The severity of wind warnings will use the following categories:
-
.1 gale-force (Beaufort force 8 or 9);
-
.2 storm-force (Beaufort force 10 or 11); and
-
.3 hurricane-force (Beaufort force 12 or over).
4.2.1.3 Warnings for dangerous sea states and unusual and hazardous sea-ice
conditions could be issued within some METAREAs.
4.2.1.4 Warnings will include the following information:
-
.1 type and severity of warning;
-
.2 date and time of reference in UTC;
-
.3 location of disturbance in terms of latitude and longitude or with
reference to well-known landmarks;
-
.4 extent of affected area; and
-
.5 description of the warning phenomenon characteristics.
4.2.2 Marine Forecasts
4.2.2.1 Marine forecasts for the high seas are structured in three parts:
4.2.2.2 The valid period of the forecast will be at least 24 hours.
4.2.2.3 Part I will include a reference to current warnings issued for the area. This
reference should be in the form of an identifier for a uniquely numbered or named
warning, or include the relevant contents of the warning.
4.2.2.4 When no wind warnings are in effect, this fact will be explicitly stated
within Part I of the marine forecast.
4.2.2.5 The synopsis of major features in Part II of the marine forecast will include
details of significant low-pressure systems, significant fronts and tropical
disturbances that are affecting, or are expected to affect, the area within or near
the valid period of the forecast. The central pressure and/or intensity, location,
movement and changes of intensity will be given for each system.
4.2.2.6 The forecast information provided in Part III of marine forecasts will
include:
4.2.2.7 The forecasts could include expected significant changes during the forecast
period, significant hydrometeors such as freezing precipitation, snowfall or
rainfall.
4.2.3 Sea-ice information
4.2.3.1 Sea-ice information services will provide the limits of sea ice and icebergs,
where ice conditions pose a hazard to navigation.
4.2.3.2 Sea-ice information services could include information about sea-ice
concentration and stage of development.
4.2.3.3 Descriptions of the limit of all known ice, ice edge or iceberg risk are
given using latitude and longitude coordinates. The location of the ice, ice edge or
iceberg risk are given relative to the limit.
4.3 Services for the coastal, offshore and local waters areas
4.3.1 Marine meteorological services for coastal, offshore and local waters areas are
similar to those for the high seas, but modified according to local requirements.
4.3.2 Naming conventions, the extent of inshore and offshore boundaries, and land
boundary reference points, for areas referenced in marine forecasts will be clearly
defined and documented in relevant publications.
4.3.3 Forecasts and warnings for coastal, offshore and local waters should be
considered as complementary to the high seas forecasts and warnings for ships
navigating close to the coast.
5 METEOROLOGICAL WARNING BROADCAST REQUIREMENTS
5.1 Language
5.1.1 All meteorological information should be broadcast only in English in the
International NAVTEX and International EGC services.
5.1.2 In addition to the required broadcasts in English, meteorological information
may be broadcast in a national language using National NAVTEX and National EGC
services and/or other means.
5.1.3 Marine meteorological services for broadcast on NAVTEX should be prepared using
the accepted abbreviations outlined in appendix 1.2 within the WMO Manual on Marine
Meteorological Services (WMO-No.558).
5.2 Guidance
Operational guidance for handling and formatting meteorological information is given
in the Joint IMO/IHO/WMO Manual on Maritime Safety Information, the IMO NAVTEX
Manual, the IMO manuals of the recognized mobile satellite service providers and the
WMO Manual on Marine Meteorological Services (WMO-No.558).
6 ISSUING AND PREPARATION SERVICES
6.1 Responsibilities
6.1.1 The Issuing Service is responsible for composing a complete broadcast bulletin
on the basis of information input from the relevant Preparation Services and for
broadcasting this in accordance with the guidelines contained within the IMO manuals
of the recognized mobile satellite service providers and the IMO NAVTEX Manual.
6.1.2 The Issuing Service is also responsible for monitoring the broadcasts of their
MSI to their designated area of responsibility.
6.1.3 The Preparation Service is responsible for providing the relevant information
to the Issuing Service.
7 METAREA COORDINATOR RESOURCES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
7.1 METAREA Coordinator resources
7.1.1 The METAREA Coordinator should have:
-
.1 the expertise and information resources of NMHS or equivalent National
Authority;
-
.2 effective means of communication such as telephone, email, facsimile
and Internet, with NMHS and National Authorities in the METAREA, with
other METAREA Coordinators and with other data providers; and
-
.3 access to broadcast systems for transmission to the navigable waters
of the METAREA. As a minimum, this should include those described in
paragraph 3.1.1. Reception should normally be possible at least 300
nautical miles beyond the limit of the METAREA.
7.2 METAREA Coordinator responsibilities
7.2.1 The METAREA Coordinator should:
-
.1 act as the central point of contact on matters relating to
meteorological information and warnings within the METAREA;
-
.2 promote and oversee the use of established international standards and
practices in the dissemination of meteorological information and
warnings throughout the METAREA;
-
.3 coordinate preliminary discussions between neighbouring Members,
seeking to establish and operate NAVTEX services, prior to formal
application;
.4 coordinate the dissemination of meteorological bulletins on the WMO
Information System (WIS), and ensure the correct display of MSI messages
on the WWMIWS website;
-
.5 liaise with entities that have responsibility for maritime safety,
marine communications, port authorities and other relevant maritime
responsibilities on the effective use of meteorological information and
warning services;
-
.6 act as a coordination point for implementation of WMO strategic
initiatives under the WMO Services Delivery Framework, including
verification, quality management, Marine Forecaster Competency framework
and resilience activities;
-
.7 be responsible for maintaining details of marine weather services and
marine communications relevant for international service documentation
such as Weather Reporting (WMO No-9), Volume D – Information for
Shipping, IMO GMDSS Master Plan, ITU List IV – List of Coast Stations
and Special Service Stations or other relevant nautical publications of
national Administrations;
-
.8 contribute to the development of international standards and practices
through attendance and participation in the meetings of the WWMIWS-C of
JCOMM, and also attend and participate in relevant IMO, IHO and WMO
meetings as appropriate and required;
-
.9 monitor the broadcasts which they originate, to ensure that the
information has been correctly broadcast; and
-
.10 take into account the need for contingency planning.
7.2.2 The METAREA Coordinator has to also ensure that within their METAREA, NMHS and
National Authorities that act as Issuing Services have the capability to:
-
.1 select meteorological information and warnings for broadcast in
accordance with the guidance given in the WMO Manual on Marine
Meteorological Services (WMO-No. 558);
-
.2 provide insights and monitor changes in customer requirements for
updates to the WMO Guide on Marine Meteorological Services (WMO-No.471);
-
.3 ensure meteorological information is drafted in accordance with the
Joint IMO/IHO/WMO Manual on Maritime Safety Information; and
-
.4 monitor the MSI transmission of the bulletins that are broadcast by
the Issuing Service within the respective METAREA.
7.2.3 The METAREA Coordinator has to further ensure that within their METAREA, NMHS
and National Authorities that act as Preparation Services have the capability to:
-
.1 be informed of/gather information on all meteorological events that
could significantly affect the safety of navigation within their area of
responsibility;
-
.2 assess all meteorological information immediately upon receipt in the
light of expert knowledge for relevance to navigation within their area
of responsibility;
-
.3 forward marine meteorological information that may require wider
promulgation directly to adjacent METAREA Coordinators and/or others as
appropriate, using the quickest possible means;
-
.4 ensure that information concerning all meteorological warning subject
areas listed in the Manual on Marine Meteorological Services
(WMO-No.558) that may require a METAREA warning within their own area of
responsibility is forwarded immediately to the appropriate National
Meteorological Services and METAREA Coordinators affected by the
meteorological event;
-
.5 provide insights and monitor changes in customer requirements for
updates to the WMO Guide on Marine Meteorological Services (WMO-No.471);
and
-
.6 maintain records of source data relating to METAREA warnings and
forecasts in accordance with the requirement of the national
Administration of the METAREA Coordinator.
8 PROCEDURE FOR AMENDING THE WORLDWIDE MET-OCEAN INFORMATION AND WARNING
SERVICE
8.1 Proposals for amendment or enhancement of the IMO/WMO Worldwide Met-Ocean
Information and Warning Service should be submitted for evaluation by the
Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR). Amendments
will only be adopted after consideration and approval by the NCSR Sub-Committee.
8.2 Amendments to the service should be adopted at intervals as determined by the
Maritime Safety Committee. Amendments adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee will
be notified to all concerned and will come into force on 1 January of the following
year, or at another date as decided by the Committee.
8.3 The agreement of the WMO and the active participation of other bodies should be
sought according to the nature of the proposed amendments.
8.4 The schedule of broadcast times and frequencies for WWMIWS, being subject to
frequent changes, will not be subject to these amendment procedures, but should be
coordinated through the IMO Enhanced Group Call Coordinating Panel or the IMO NAVTEX
Coordinating Panel, as appropriate.