Enhancements to Marine Forecast and Warning Services in Victoria

From Tuesday 28 October 2008 a number of marine service enhancements will be introduced in Victoria to improve the usability of marine forecasts and provide mariners with an improved level of service.

An additional Victorian coastal waters zone

As of 28 October 2008, Victoria will have four coastal waters zones instead of three. The current East coast zone which covers Wilson's Promontory to Gabo Island will be split into two zones at Lakes Entrance. The new boundary will be located between Lakes Entrance and Flinders Island forming two coastal zones named Central Gippsland Coast and East Gippsland Coast.

This new division will provide mariners with more detailed coastal waters forecast information between Wilson's Promontory and Gabo Island.

The four Victorian coastal waters zones are summarised as follows:

• West Coast - SA/VIC border to Cape Otway
• Central coast - Cape Otway to Wilson's Promontory
• Central Gippsland Coast - Wilson's Promontory to Lakes Entrance
• East Gippsland Coast - Lakes Entrance to Gabo Island

Current map of Victorian marine forecast zones
until 28 October 2008

New map of Victorian marine forecast zones
from 28 October 2008

Port Phillip and Western Port to have separate Forecasts and Warnings

Forecasts for Port Phillip and Western Port are currently issued as a combined text-based product. This also applies to the warnings for these two areas. As of 28 October 2008, Port Phillip and Western Port local waters forecasts and warnings will be available as separate products. Separating Port Phillip and Western Port will provide a more detailed level of forecast information for these two adjacent local waters areas.
Also, terminology for wave information in these forecasts will be consistent with the coastal waters forecasts. Therefore sea (or wind) waves will be referred as 'Seas' in the forecasts.

Improvements to Coastal and Local Waters warnings

Coastal and local waters marine warnings have been improved to highlight the worst conditions expected within the next 24 hours. Warnings will focus on the highest winds and highest waves expected in a designated area. Note that these highest winds are averages and do not include gusts. Similarly the highest waves are the significant waves and not maximum waves. For more information on wind and waves see: About marine services.
Mariners are reminded that more detailed information is contained within the coastal and local waters forecasts.

The highest waves are derived from the expected total wave height and consistent with terminology used in coastal waters forecasts, the highest waves will be referred as 'Combined sea and swell'.

Note that the wind warning thresholds for strong winds, gale, storm force and hurricane force wind warnings remain unchanged.

Example Warning

If you need further information, or wish to provide feedback, please email webmar@bom.gov.au .