Regardless of how accurate NHC forecasts of tropical cyclone activity are, they are useless unless reliable and timely methods are available to get this information to the mariner. There are many ways that tropical cyclone information is made available to the mariner. However, knowing which products are available via which source is often the difficult part in obtaining tropical cyclone information. Further information on all NWS marine products can be found at the Internet address: http://www.weather.gov/om/marine/home.htm

Listed below are some of the more popular services:

• Internet
• E-mail (this service is also called FTPMAIL)
• HF RADIOFAX
• WWV HF Voice (Time Tick)
• U.S. Coast Guard HF SITOR (SImplex Teletype Over Radio)
• U.S. Coast Guard HF Voice
• U.S. Coast Guard MF Voice
• U.S. Coast Guard VHF Voice
• NOAA Weather Radio
• NAVTEX Element of the Global Maritime Distress & Safety System
• INMARSAT-C SafetyNET
• NOAA Telephone Recordings

SUMMARY OF NHC's TROPICAL CYCLONE TEXT PRODUCTS AND GRAPHICAL PRODUCTS