Do sea-farers actually use the Shipping Forecast?

Question

In these days of GPS, internet and satellite communication, do any mariners actually listen to and use the forecast to find out the weather conditions?

Sailing By and the Forecast are a great British institution. I am 30 miles inland, very rarely (actually never) find myself out at sea, yet find it very soporific and have often drifted off to sleep with its dulcet repetitive tones.

I'm sure there would be (quite rightly) a public outcry if it was discontinued. But does it actually provide a practical service anymore?

Answer 1

I have listened to the Shipping Forecast since I was a child and to this day I mentally go clockwise round the British Isles as I listen to it.

An easy way to answer your Question, would be to ask if you would 'put to sea' with a small boat if you heard there was a Force 8 imminent, or indeed with a 2000 or 3000 tonner if the forecast was a 10 or above?

Answer 2

Yes and listen to it religiously, 24 hours before I sail, while I sail until I land

Answer 3

Well some small boats dont have all the fancy stuff you mentioned, so they find it usefull I supose as for tankers and the like, maybe they like their readings from their satellite stuff confirmed... you are right tho its somehow relaxing to listen to the shipping forecast, its a very English thing to do!

Answer 4

The simple answer is yes.  Not everyone can afford expensive equipment.  For example, UK has a massive inshore fishing fleet and the fisherfolk rely heavily on accurate weather forecasting and this means the BBC Shipping Forecast : -

This is the music which comes on air just before the shipping forecast : -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpJEtnpd2...

Now you can happily drift off to sleep any time you like.

As a child I lived at the coast - I remember the great winter storms and listening to the shipping forecast and also listening in to the inshore fishing fleet on the radio.

Answer 5

This might help

http://www.sailwx.info/

Answer 6

Yes, just like the Farmers' Almanac.

The Muse

Answer 7

Yes they do. Especially for wind.  Some boats are only insured up to a certain gale force.

Or people just listen to it to get to sleep!

Answer 8

I am a level 3 sea craft pilot and a life guard for dorset sea rescue (rnli support) and we need the shipping forecast to indicate the sailing line of larger vessels that are in the vicinity of any potential shallow waters at tidal flow times...

the weather can affect certain sections of the sea, more than others and make it even more unpredictable and obviously more dangerous...

Answer 9

fishermen know the waters 4 100 s of years. Looooove sea food much respect for them. XXXX

Answer 10

Great question. I only ever hear it accidentally, but I think I'd miss it if it wasn't there. It's like some kind of mystical incantation that beckons you to sleep. "Shannon, Rockall, Lundy, Fastnet, Cromarty....'

And on that thought, I'm off to bed!