NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PRODUCTS VIA INMARSAT-C SafetyNET
Inmarsat-C SafetyNET is
an internationally adopted, automated satellite system for promulgating
weather forecasts and warnings, marine navigational warnings and other
safety related information to all types of vessels and is part of the Global
Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). There are no user fees
associated with receiving SafetyNET broadcasts. National Weather Service SafetyNET broadcasts are performed under contract
with VIZADA
using the
Inmarsat
satellite system of geostationary satellites.
See NGA Publication 117 and the U.S.
Coast Guard Maritime Telecommunications Information webpage for a complete
description of SafetyNET and the GMDSS as well as worldwide schedule information.
The
British Admiralty List of Radio Signals is an excellent reference
source for SafetyNET and other GMDSS information.
A copy of the latest "The SafetyNET Users Handbook" (Electronic) is available from Inmarsat.
The National Weather Service prepares highseas forecasts and warnings
for broadcast via SafetyNET for each of three different ocean areas four
times daily. These broadcasts are prepared cooperatively by the Ocean Prediction Center, National Hurricane
Center and Honolulu
Forecast Office. See table below for broadcast schedule.
Beginning in the 2002 hurricane season, the National Weather Service began broadcasting Hurricane Forecast/Advisories ("TCM's") prepared by the National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center via SafetyNET. The forecast/advisories contain more detailed information on the forecasted track of tropical storms than contained in the high seas forecasts. See table below for broadcast schedule. How to read the Hurricane Forecast/Advisory (TCM), More
All NWS marine forecasts rely heavily on the Voluntary
Observing Ship (VOS) program for obtaining meteorological observations.
SATELLITE |
METAREA |
PRODUCT ID |
BROADCAST TIMES (UTC) |
AOR-W1 |
IV (NW Atlantic)3 |
HSFAT1 |
0430, 1030, 1630, 2230 |
AOR-W, POR1 |
XII (NE Pacific) |
HSFEPI
|
0545, 1145, 1745, 2345 |
AOR-W1,2 |
XVI (Peru Area) |
HSFEP3 |
0515, 1115, 1715, 2315 |
AOR-W |
IV (NW Atlantic) |
TCMAT1..5 |
As required, up to 4 times daily per active tropical storm |
AOR-W, POR |
XII (NE Pacific) |
TCMEP1..5 |
As required, up to 4 times daily per active tropical storm |
POR |
XII (NE Pacific) |
TCMCP1..5 |
As required, up to 4 times daily per active tropical storm |
AOR-W, POR, AOR-E |
XII (NE Pacific) |
TSUPAC(Pacific) |
As required for tsunami |
POR |
XII (NE Pacific) |
TSUHW1(Hawaii) |
As required for tsunami |
POR |
XII (NE Pacific) |
TSUHWX(Hawaii) |
As required for tsunami |
AOR-W, POR |
XII (NE Pacific) |
TSUWCA(AK,BC,WA,OR,CA) |
As required for tsunami |
AOR-W, POR |
XII (NE Pacific) |
TSUAK1(AK,BC,WA,OR,CA) |
As required for tsunami |
AOR-W, AOR-E |
IV (NW Atlantic) |
TSUAT1(Canada, Eastern and
Gulf States, Puerto Rico,
U.S Virgin Islands) |
As required for tsunami |
AOR-W, AOR-E |
IV (NW Atlantic) |
TSUATE(Canada, Eastern and
Gulf States, Puerto Rico,
U.S Virgin Islands) |
As required for tsunami |
AOR-W, AOR-E |
IV (NW Atlantic) |
TSUCAX (Caribbean) |
As required for tsunami |
POR |
XVII |
OFFAFG (U.S. Arctic) |
Experimental, broadcast as part of Canada's Metarea XVII broadcast |
1 High Seas forecasts containing tropical storm warnings also broadcast
over AOR-E
2 High Seas forecasts containing tropical storm warnings also broadcast over
POR
3 Excludes Hudson Bay. The U.S. high seas forecast for METAREA IV is currently limited to the western part of the North
Atlantic Ocean eastwards of the North American coast to 35°W, from 7°N to 67°N, including the Gulf of Mexico and
Caribbean Sea. See NGA NTM Special Paragraphs (60)
Inmarsat-C GMDSS equipment must be programmed to the proper Metarea/Navarea in order to receive SafetyNET broadcasts.
Inmarsat-C GMDSS equipment must also be interconnected
with a GPS receiver or updated with a manually entered position at least
every 12 hours or SafetyNET broadcasts for several Metareas/Navareas
will be received unintentionally.
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