From the 1st February 2007, the
Maritime & Coastguard
Agency (MCA) has made a series of radical changes
to its Maritime Safety Information (MSI) broadcast service, which
are not included in the 2007 almanacs. The significant
changes for yachtsmen are that the MSI broadcast will be every
three hours (where
previously it was every four). A further minor change is that
our area will no longer be "the area Wash to North Foreland",
but will now be "Gibraltar Point to North Foreland" (Gibraltar
Point is the prominent headland at the northern end of the
Wash).
Full MSI will be available on NAVTEX and by two daily broadcasts
on VHF and MF. Six hours later, a new inshore forecast will
be broadcast together with any gale warnings. New gale warnings,
strong wind warnings and navigational warning will continue
to be broadcast on receipt.
Inshore forecasts, gale warnings and any strong wind warnings
from the above schedules will be repeated three
hours after
the initial broadcast for the benefit of those who may have
missed the earlier broadcast.
What we are finding in the Thames area is that the broadcasts
are covering the area "Gibraltar Point to Selsey Bill", with
two weather forecasts, one for "Gibraltar Point to North Foreland"
and one for North Foreland to Selsey Bill"
The forecasts will be in three "schedules" A, B and C.
Schedule A - Full Maritime Safety Information
broadcast, including new Inshore Forecast, Gale Warnings,
Shipping Forecast, WZ Navigation Warnings, SUBFACTS & GUNFACTS
where appropriate, three Day Fisherman's Forecast when and
where appropriate.
Schedule B - New Inshore Forecast plus previous
Outlook and Gale Warnings.
Schedule C - Repetition of Inshore Forecast
and Gale Warnings as per previous Schedule A or B broadcast
plus new SWW. |
