PMO/VOS
Port Meteorological Officer / Volunteer Observing
Ship Program
![NOAA ship Ron H. Brown](rhbrown.gif)
Observations from ships form the basis of marine weather forecasts in both
coastal and high seas areas providing on the spot data and details about local
surface conditions. The Volunteer Observing Ship (VOS) program is supported by
Port Meteorological Officers (PMO). There are currently 17 NWS offices
(excluding NWSHQ) with PMOs. Lake Charles is located between the New Orleans and
Houston PMO areas. We have been tasked to assist these offices in anyway
possible.
Due to the rigid ship schedules, a call received at the Lake Charles office
for supplies, barometer adjustments, or information such as weather maps, will
be responded to immediately.
We have a supply of:
- NWS Observing Handbook No. 1, Marine Surface Weather Observations
- Ship's Code Card
- Ship's Weather Observations, NOAA Form B-81
- Weather Report for Immediate Radio Transmission, WS Form B-80
- Cloud Identification Chart (poster)
- Sea State-Wind Speed Chart (poster)
The Lake Charles Office will also take plain language ship reports from
watercraft in the near shore waters. These reports will be put into the NWS
communications network as well as be aired on NOAA Weather
Radio.
Click here for more information about the
PMO/VOS
Program.
Click here for
current marine
charts.
You may contact these offices for information:
NWS Lake Charles at (337) 477-5285
Houston PMO at (281) 534-2640 ext. 277
New Orleans PMO at (504) 589-4839.
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