United StatesVoluntary Observing Ship

(VOS) Program2006 Report

Robert LukeOperations Manager, Stennis Space Center, Mississippi

Port Meteorological Officers

2006 Ships

• 1079 Ships – 703 Selected– 256 Supplementary– 111 Auxillary– 9 Other (VsslM Code 88)

• 295 ships Recruited• 60 De-Recruited• 13 VOSCLIM• 0 Automated systems• 68 Duplicate Ships (as of DECPub47)

– Reduced to 12 as of MARPUB47)• Now 7 as of SOT-IV

2006 Observations

• 223,517 observations to GTS– ~400-450 ships report weekly

• 462 SEAS2000 (binary)

• 160 Email (~40 Non US VOS Reporters)

2006 U.S. VOS Observations

223,517

Typical Daily Observations

VOS Communications

Stratus Skycell

AMVER/SEAS

NWSTG

NDBC DAC

Globe Wireless or WLO SITOR

USCG

NWS Alaska Region

Global Telecommunications

System

TELENOR

Instruments/Supplies Provided

• Aneroid Barometer (Belfort)• Barograph Belfort • Barograph paper and pens• Zeal Hygrometers and Shelters• AMVER/SEAS Software • Manual Logbook Forms• Handbooks , Cloud & Sea posters• Worldwide Marine Facsimile Schedule Book• Pilot Charts• Mariners Weather Log (3 issues/year)

2006 Awards & Promotionals

• AWARDS– 101 Individual Ship Awards (plaques)– 1 Company Award (Horizon Lines LLC)

Promotional Items– Ball caps– Pens– Mugs– Carabiner clips/lights

Concerns

CONCERNS– Available Equipment– Shipping Volatility– Safety & Security– Antiquated Database– PMO retirement & Rehires– Funding