VOS status report The Netherlands, 2011 By: Jan Rozema KNMI personnel Head:Jan Rozema Daily coordination: Ronald van de Vate PMOs:Ren Rozeboom Bert de Vries Team service 6 persons PMO assistant:Peter Westenbrink Turbowin development: Martin Stam PMO advisor:Frits Koek Statistics Nr of observations: Total nr of VOS 31 Dec: 172 Total nr of VOS 15 March: 125 Recruitments: 0 De-recruitments (2010): 11 New VOSClim: 0 Visits in Dutch ports: 126 Visits in Belgian ports: 40 Foreign VOS Visits (AR flag): In Dutch ports: 37 In Belgium: 14 Detailed statistics Some more statistics 132 ships (77%) were reporting 25 OBSs (WMO requirement) or more (Monthly mean over 2010). Since february 2011 we have 125 active VOS left. 4 ships (3,2%) will be de-recruited in the near future. Cause of decrease VOS fleet Approach: Decrease of manned VOS until a number of about 100 ships. Voluntary participation means a minimum effort from both sides (KNMI and ship owner): KNMI to deliver software, instruments, maintanance, calibration and support Ship owner to deliver a minimum of observations per month. New definition of work procedure: Minimum of 25 OBSses per month. Contact with VOS ship if not reached Withdrawl from VOS fleet if number of OBSses is substantial below 25 per month (mean over year). National preparations regarding VOS automation Notified ships and companies about the coming automation of VOS vessels via MIM. Removed VOS vessels are allowed to keep the KNMI Aneroid barometer and barograph on board since they cant be used for S- AWSs. Changes for the remaining Dutch manned VOS Ships will be encouraged to use their shipssystem to sent obss (not compressed yet). Ships, sending their obs via Inmarsat-c will have to sent half compressed obss to a dedicated SAC (431) in the near future. Last MIM will be issued in July Delayed mode TurboWin logs (IMMT) will be forwarded to DWD for (GCC) processing after April The last Royal Award celebration will be held at April 7 th Number of PMOs will be reduced from 2 to 1,5 and PMO assistant PMO assistant no longer available after July 1th. Threats to the Dutch VOS programme New budget cuts could affect also the Dutch VOS fleet. How we make great observations spare Link youtube: