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
