Issued by MetService at 12:38pm 28-Apr-2005
MetService announces five-day marine forecasts
From next Monday the MetService marine forecasts will have their range extended to cover a five-day period. This will
help mariners plan safer trips.
The new extended outlooks, funded by the New Zealand Government through the Ministry of Transport in order to enhance
safety at sea, will be applied to all marine weather forecasts issued by MetService.
This includes recreational and coastal areas as well as high sea areas covering a vast part of the Tasman Sea and
Pacific Ocean. The forecasts will highlight any significant occurrence of wind, weather, sea, and swell.
MetService Chief Forecaster, Rod Stainer, says that this is a major improvement in weather services.
"These forecasts are now possible thanks to more reliable and more detailed computer guidance being interpreted by
highly skilled staff."
Maritime Safety Authority Manager for Recreational Boating, Jim Lott, says the longer range forecasts are great news.
"The further ahead you can plan your trip, the more likely you are to get it right."
The new extended range marine weather forecasts are available from MetPhone and MetFax, the www.metservice.com and
www.metnet.co.nz web sites,Teletext, and the normal marine radio channels.
ENDS