Improvement plans for Marine Weather Services - July 2010

The Bureau is taking steps to improve marine weather services based on results from a survey conducted in early 2010. The Bureau's survey, completed by more than 1500 boaters, asked how the Bureau's marine weather services are used and how useful they are.

The majority of respondents were very positive about the Bureau's marine information, and in general the services met their needs. However there is still room for improvement and the Bureau has plans to upgrade existing services and introduce new services to provide the most useful and up to date information.

Marine webpages

The survey showed an increasing number of boaters are relying on the Bureau's marine services to plan their trip, particularly looking at winds, waves, tides and ocean currents. As a result, the Bureau is planning to release a new wave model on its website in late July 2010, with 7 day forecast maps of weather patterns, wind speeds, swell heights, swell periods and wind waves.

To improve the range of services it provides for mariners, the Bureau has embarked on a 4-year project to upgrade forecast services around Australia. New services will include interactive maps of highly detailed marine forecasts with the ability to view forecast information for the next 7 days at any location. For recreational boaters in capital city areas, maps of forecast wind speed, wind waves and swell will be provided on a three hourly basis for the next 3 days.

The majority of respondents used the Bureau's marine services for weather monitoring. The Bureau is improving services in this area also, with the development of improved tidal information, and upgraded maps of ocean currents and temperatures.

Marine radio services

Some respondents were dissatisfied with the Bureau's HF radiofax, and marine radio broadcasts. As part of its commitment to providing weather information on marine radio services, the Bureau is working with its partners to improve the quality and coverage of HF and VHF marine radio fax and voice broadcasts. Many respondents commented that they weren't aware of the services available by marine radio, and the Bureau is planning to increase promotion of these services over the coming summer. New guidelines are being developed to ensure broadcasts provided by Bureau forecasters contain the relevant content and detail that mariners require.

Marine weather education

Alarmingly, 20% of respondents reported they do not access weather information before going out on the water. The Bureau is working with local marine safety authorities to highlight the dangers of going out on the water without understanding the weather situation. Plans include, developing educational material for the Safe Boating website, and material on understanding wave and weather patterns when rock fishing. The Bureau is also planning to increase the range of educational material on its website.

Accessing the website whilst on the water

Many respondents said they were accessing the Bureau's site via laptop and mobile phone. As a result, the Bureau will maintain text only versions of forecasts and warnings to ensure low download costs on satellite internet and viewing on mobile phones. Webpage layouts will continue to be designed with mobile users in mind.

The survey results provide a great range of feedback for the Bureau to further improve its services to the marine community. With exciting new developments coming online, mariners can be assured the Bureau is committed to providing high-quality and relevant information they can rely on.