From 1 February, the MSI service will include British inshore waters forecasts provided four times a day instead of twice; and a redefinition of some inshore forecast areas, including a new area for the Isle of Man. Complete national forecasts will take no longer than an hour.
Warnings are to be improved, with gale or strong wind warnings plus navigational warnings broadcast as soon as the Coastguard receives them. Warnings will, therefore, be issued between inshore forecasts if necessary, where winds of Force 6 or more are involved.
Forecast slots will be to regular clock time to avoid confusion. Previously forecasts were based on Greenwich Mean Time, with hourly changes on introduction and withdrawal of British Summer Time in spring and autumn.
Prime vehicle for disseminating MSI is the Navtex receiver system. VHF and MF are also used, but radio-telephony systems will continue to receive main inshore waters forecasts just twice a day. Wind and navigational warnings will, however, be available immediately, as through Navtex. |
