Five-day marine forecasts a world first

Extended-range marine forecasts to help boaties and seafarers plan safer trips will begin on Monday.

New Zealand will be the first country in the world to provide extended five-day marine forecasts, the Maritime Safety Authority said. Until now, most mariners have had to use 36-hour forecasts, although some weather maps have predicted the situation for three days.

The MSA said it began investigating the possibility of extended marine forecasts three years ago. The Metservice forecasts will be broadcast by MSA's maritime radio service.

MSA Manager Recreational Boating Jim Lott said: "The further ahead you can plan your trip, the more likely you are to get it right. You'll have greater knowledge of what the weather's doing and you can alter the route you take.

"A lot of people plan to go boating three to four days before the weekend, and until now they've known very little about what the weather's going to do.

"This will go a long way to improving safety, and should save a lot of search and rescue effort."



Greater weather knowledge is now available through enhanced accuracy and improved computer modelling.

The forecasts will be for oceanic, coastal and recreational marine areas in the New Zealand. They will be available on VHF, HF, metphone, and through usual forecast channels.

- HERALD ONLINE STAFF