Manual of Marine Meteorological Observations, Tenth edition.

Abstract

The Conference of Brussels, called in 1853, was the first International Maritime Conference ever held. It sponsored the idea that governments should foster systematic weather observations on ships, and should prepare and publish charts of the prevailing winds, ocean currents, average sea and air temperatures, and tracks of dangerous storms based on the additional data. With the introduction of radio and fast ships, weather information became of vital importance to safe and efficient ship operation. Many countries began regularly scheduled weather forecasts to ships in nearby waters. Today, weather forecasts as well as charts are prepared from data collected through ship observations. Forecasts of weather and sea conditions arc prepared for ship operation, air-sea rescue missions, over-water air travel, military operations, etc. The need for accurate data is apparent, since the forecast cannot be any better than the basic observation. Organization of the Manual.-- This manual has been designed to serve primarily as a guide in the taking of weather observations at sea. It will be helpful in using the manual to keep in mind that the material in it has been organized to accord with the order of the various elements of the observation as they are entered in the basic Weather Bureau Form 615-5, "Ship's Weather Observations." Each major element of the observation is completely covered in a separate chapter. The first portion of each chapter is presented from the point of view of observing and evaluating the element without reference to its ultimate use; and the second portion, from the point of view of making a permanent record of it and preparing it for dissemination (coding).