The NWS Philadelphia in Mount Holly is starting a voluntary Marine Observation Program. This would allow anyone on the water to submit Marine Weather Conditions through an online website form. Of course this will be limited to those with internet connection.
This is an attempt to further improve Marine Forecasting. Currently, there are many buoys Offline in the NJ/NY Bight Area and buoys are limited south of there.
NWS PHI Marine Observation ReportNWS PHI Public Information Statement for Marine ObservationsNOUS41 KPHI 301551
PNSPHI
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PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOUNT HOLLY NJ
1151 AM EDT WED JUL 30 2014
...PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT...
TODAY THE NATIONAL WEATHER WEATHER SERVICE (NWS) IN MOUNT HOLLY
UNVEILS A NEW MARINE OBSERVATION PROGRAM.
IT IS POSTED AS ..NEWS HEADLINE.. AT THE TOP OF OUR HOME PAGE
THROUGH AUGUST 14, AS WELL AS ON OUR MARINE PAGE SELECTIONS AS
SUBMIT MARINE OBS REPORT.
IT IS SELF EXPLANATORY. AFTER BECOMING FAMILIAR WITH THE OPTIONS
DURING THE FIRST OBSERVATION ENTRY, IT THEN TAKES LESS THAN A MINUTE
TO COMPLETE, WITH JUST A FEW REQUIRED ELEMENTS RED STARRED. IF AN
ELEMENT IS ENTERED INCORRECTLY, YOU WILL BE PROMPTED FOR ANOTHER
TRY.
WE CANNOT SET IT UP YET TO AUTOMATICALLY ENTER THE DATE/TIME, NOR
YOUR GPS LATITUDE/LONGITUDE LOCATION.
THE OBSERVATION IS IMMEDIATELY SENT TO THE NWS WHERE FORECASTERS
CAN REVIEW IT AND CONSIDER ADJUSTMENTS TO OUR COASTAL WATERS
FORECAST.
UNDERSTANDING VESSEL LOCATION SENSITIVITY, THESE OBSERVATIONS WILL
NOT BE DISSEMINATED TO THE PUBLIC, UNLESS GRANTED YOUR PERMISSION.
WE HOPE THIS PROGRAM WILL ASSIST NOT ONLY A MORE ACCURATE COASTAL
WATERS FORECAST BUT ALSO PROVIDE A CLOSER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AND THOSE TRANSITING THE NEW JERSEY AND
DELAWARE COASTAL WATERS.
THE ATTEMPT HERE IS TO PROVIDE IMPROVED SERVICE, BUT THIS CANNOT
BE DONE WITHOUT YOUR MARINE REPORTS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR PARTICIPATING THROUGH YOUR OBSERVATIONS!
$$
DRAG