GLOUCESTER, MASS., GETS MARINE NOAA WEATHER RADIO TRANSMITTER

With severe weather always a threat in the northern Atlantic, mariners in New England can now have improved information they can use to stay on top of developing storm activity. This, thanks to a new, direct link to forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service (NOAA Weather Service). NOAA is part of the Department of Commerce.

A new NOAA Weather Radio transmitter, located in Gloucester, is providing a live 24-hour broadcast of marine forecasts and warnings directly from the NOAA Weather Service Boston forecast office in Taunton. The new transmitter became operational earlier this month.

At a press conference this week in the Cape Ann Historical Museum auditorium, Timothy Keeney, deputy assistant secretary for oceans and atmosphere at NOAA, said, “Whether you’re a commercial or recreational fisherman, or just enjoy being out on the water, with information from NOAA Weather Radio, you can now make safer choices.”

Keeney was joined by Gloucester Mayor John Bell; U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Vivien Crea; Meaghan Hohl, from Sen. John Kerry’s office; John Jones, Jr., NOAA Weather Service deputy director; Vito Calomo, executive director of the Massachusetts Fisheries Recovery Commission, and Dean Gulezian, director of the NOAA Weather Service Eastern Region.

Broadcasts from the Gloucester NOAA Weather Radio transmitter will be heard more than 10 miles farther than previously possible.

The programming cycle for marine-only transmissions will be shorter, allowing listeners to hear a full marine forecast at least twice as frequently as before. Marine watches and warnings will be broadcast several times more per hour.

“Marine weather watches and warnings will be broadcast several times more per hour, which is crucial because weather conditions in the Atlantic ocean can change quickly,” said Jones.

Bob Thompson, the meteorologist-in-charge at the Boston forecast office said, "This expansion in NOAA Weather Radio coverage significantly increases our ability to reach the mariners directly with these warnings. When you don’t have a radio or TV turned on, having a seven-band NOAA Weather Radio, with an alarm feature, helps people protect themselves, their families, and businesses.”

Jones said the transmitter is situated to allow the NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts to reach mariners further off the coast of New England. “That’s especially great news for anyone on a ship when a storm is looming.”

Mariners and residents in the New England coastal area can tune in their NOAA Radio receivers to 162.425 MHz.

The NOAA Weather Radio network has more than 750 stations, covering all 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and U.S. Pacific Territories. Weather radios come in many sizes, with a variety of functions and costs. Some receivers automatically sound an alarm and turn themselves on if a severe weather warning is broadcast and can be programmed to warn for weather and civil emergencies in only your county.

Most NOAA Weather Radio receivers are either battery-operated portables or AC-powered desktop models with battery backup. Some scanners, HAM radios, CB radios, short wave receivers, and AM/FM radios also are capable of receiving NOAA Weather Radio transmissions. Weather radios can be purchased at many electronics stores.

NOAA Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, fore-casts and warnings for the United States and its territories. NOAA Weather Service operates the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy.

The Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources.

On the Web:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov

NOAA Weather Radio: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr