USCG Seeks Comments on Weather Broadcasts

[boydgatlin]

The notice below is from the US Coast Guard:

The US Coast Guard is seeking public comment on the need to continue
providing high frequency (HF) radio broadcasts of weather forecasts and
warnings. Public comment is necessary in order to assess the demand for
the HF radio broadcasts in each of three forms: (1) radiofacsimile; (2)
voice; and (3) simplex teletype over radio (SITOR), also known as narrow
band direct printing (NBDP). The infrastructure necessary to provide
these services has exceeded its useful life expectancy; the equipment is
no longer manufactured, repairs are difficult to accomplish, and spare
parts generally are not available. Comments should be submitted by
August 24. 72 Fed. Reg. 20863
<http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2...cket.access.gp
o.gov/2007/pdf/E7-7945.pdf> (April 26, 2007).

Regards,

The USCG Navigation Center Team
U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center

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[HIPAR]

These services might be essential on the high seas. I don't sail on the ocean so I have never used any of them. I guess you will need to subscribe to a commercial satellite based service for weather information.

What disturbs me is the reason for discontinuing these services. They can't keep the equipment working! I'll bet you India or China wouldn't have that problem.

--- CaptChas

[Wave]

Please do not mistake this for VHF broadcasts. The VHF weather broadcasts will continue and are in no danger of being discontinued. This subject was discussed at the International Catalina forum. Some sort of advertisement was attached to "vhf" above telling you to shop at the sailnet store. I didn't put it there and would recommend that you NOT shop there. This link will explain that.

[jr438234606]

WTF! I just happen to be right in the midst of ensuring my vessel has adequate offshore weather information when I spot this. Are the Weather Fax broadcasts that I get on my SSB radio in jeopardy of being discontinued? Say it ain't so! I was just about to purchase WeatherFax 2000 for Windows.

[Freesail99]

Jr. Aren't you getting your weather info from cruisers nets ?

[jr438234606]

Originally Posted by Freesail99

Jr. Aren't you getting your weather info from cruisers nets ?

Nah, I've been getting them via fax on my SSB radio from the Coast Guard stations. I'm starting to think I should upgrade to some sort of satellite solution.

[camaraderie]

The CG needs public comment in order to continue to justify funding for these systems. In many parts of the world and for cruisers on a budget...WeFax, Sitor and voice SSB broadcast are the only weather a cruiser can get. I would urge anyone witheven a passing interest in cruising to take a couple of minutes to comment that it is worth keeping this service as no practical alternatives exist for the general public.

[I33]

I'm with Cam on this! This will be a significant loss to cruisers if it goes away. I followed every link in the original post and could not find a way to express my opposition to ending this service. Does anyone have a functioning link they could post? Thanks.

[camaraderie]

Docket/Document Information

This link will take you to the document and then click on the comment/submissions button to make your comment. READ the request for comment carefully and answer the questions they raise in your answer. Thanks!

[svdoric]

Thanks for the link. This one works great.
Only takes a few minutes.