NowCasting weather information VHF Ch23

Kevin O'Sullivan and Vicki Rowland from Coastguard

Coastguard has introduced a VHF radio based weather reporting system, aptly named NowCasting. NowCasting; as the name suggests provides up to the minute weather conditions at certain locations within the VHF radio coverage area.

NowCasting was first introduced into the Hauraki Gulf by Auckland Coastguard some 20 years ago and is considered by its members to be one of the top safety services provided by Coastguard.

The service has been introduced into the greater Wellington/Cook Strait area as Phase One of a four phase project which will see further NowCasting broadcasting sites being established throughout Central Region and a good part of the rest of New Zealand.

The service which is now operational at Wellington obtains data from five weather sites operated by MetService and one operated by Coastguard. This information is then turned into a voice message and broadcast in marine VHF along with relevant local weather forecasts, tides and Weather Warnings.  The information is continually updated so that what you hear on the VHF radio is up to the minute , which provides excellent up to date information for sound decision making for those planning to put to sea.

The information includes:

• The strongest three second gust over the last minute
• The average wind speed over the last minute
• The average wind direction (degrees true) over the last minute.

As wind is a critical factor in sea conditions, this information provides a very good picture of what the actual weather is at the following sites which are used in this area:

• Wellington Airport
• Karori Rock
• Cape Campbell
• The Brothers
• Stephens Island
• Mana Island

While the broadcast provides what is happening at those specific areas, it also gives us a clue as to what can be expected in regard to local conditions and what can be expected in Cook Strait.

Coastguard has been very fortunate in obtaining a broadcasting site on Out Look Hill (near Cape Terawhiti) which, with over 500 metres of elevation provides a huge VHF coverage area.  Reports to date show that the broadcast can be heard as far a field as Picton in the South Island and on the beach at Foxton, on the North Island's west coast.  (Using a VHF radio with one metre whip aerial)

Based on this information it is envisaged that the broadcast site should will a large coverage area; into The Marlborough Sounds, beyond The Brothers and Cape Campbell in the South Island and Wellington's south coast, into Wellington Harbour, and beyond Foxton on the west coast in the North Island.

So as to assist in future broadcasting site locations for NowCasting we would appreciate any feedback in regard to where you hear the broadcast. This information will help in obtaining a footprint of the coverage area which will have some effect on further installations which may to a degree, overlap into this area. Feed back can be emailed to Phil Pollero, Regional Manager for Coastguard Central Region.

Phil said We have been very fortunate in the support we have had in getting NowCasting off the ground in Central Region, from the land owners at Cape Terewhiti, MetService NZ Ltd,  Kevin O'Sullivan (Coastguard's man on the ground who made this happen), Coastguard volunteers at Kapiti and Wellington who dug holes, laid concrete and help set up the system through to Coastguard New Zealand and the Scottwood Trust who provided the funding, they have all been invaluable as without everyone's contribution we would not be in a position to provide this safety service to the boating community.

And finally, where can you find this service on your marine VHF radio? : Channel 23.

For more information or to join Coastguard contact:

Phil Pollero

Regional Manager

Coastguard Central Region

0274 778 193

philp.ccr@nzcoastguard.org.nz

Fog rolls over Tongue Point and Karori Rock