CONTACT:                               FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Barry Reichenbaugh, NWS                7/2/98                         
Glenda Coss, NDBC 

Mariners can now obtain the latest coastal and offshore weather observations through a new telephone service called Dial-A-Buoy. Dial-A-Buoy provides wind and wave measurements taken within the last hour at 65 buoy and 54 Coastal-Marine Automated Network stations located in coastal waters around the United States and in the Great Lakes. The stations are operated by the National Weather Service, part of the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Large numbers of boaters use the observations, in combination with forecasts, to make decisions on whether it is safe to venture out to sea. Many have said the reports have saved them many wasted trips to the coast; some even claim that the reports have saved lives.

NOAA's National Data Buoy Center in Stennis Space Center, Miss., began posting observations on its Internet Web site http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov in 1996. The Web site's popularity grew rapidly, and now serves more than one million inquires (hits) every month.

"Dial-A-Buoy is a logical extension to the Internet," said David Gilhousen, a meteorologist with the data buoy center. "It allows mariners a way to get the conditions while offshore, at home, or the marina, even if they are not able to access the Internet."

The reports include the latest wind direction, speed, gust, air temperature, water temperature, and sea level pressure. Buoy reports also provide details on significant wave height, swells and wind wave heights. Some buoys also provide wave direction.

To access Dial-A-Buoy, dial (228) 688-1948 using any touch tone or cell phone. Enter the five-digit (or character) station identifier in response to the prompt to hear the latest buoy or Coastal-Marine Automated Network observation read via computer- generated voice. Telephone users also have the option to receive a location map by FAX that lists station identifiers. Dial-A-Buoy? callers can search an index of stations by geographic area to find the appropriate station identifier the search requires the latitude and longitude for the area of interest. A complete list of station identifiers also is available on the National Data Buoy Center Web site.

The Dial-A-Buoy system uses a computer to answer the phone at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. The computer runs commercial software to control the dialog and read the forecasts and observations from the buoy center's Web site.

"Dial-A-Buoy is a demonstration system," added Gilhousen. "We started this with the goal of showing its value to mariners. We're seeking involvement from the private sector to expand the availability of Dial-A-Buoy." Gilhousen said the initial seven-line system could be expanded through sponsorship by a private corporation such as a boating or meteorological organization. Alternatively, these organizations could offer a similar service at another location.