Articles, photographs, and letters should be sent to:
Mr. Robert A. Luke, Editorial Supervisor
Mariners Weather Log
NDBC (W/OPS 51)
Building 3203, Room 305B
Stennis Space Center, MS 39529-6000
Phone: (228) 688-1457
Fax: (228) 688-3923
E-mail: robert.luke@noaa.gov
Welcome to another offering of the Mariners Weather Log (MWL). I hope that y'all have faired well during these winter months and for my Austral friends down under (it is our turn for the warm weather...). Springtime is fast approaching and cleanup continues here in South Mississippi. Just when you think you are finally making headway, new and exciting issues appear. I almost had my yard back to normal, if I can ever say that again, and then the county shows up to clear the big tree debris away. Those dozers and bucket trucks sure do quick work on the fallen behemoth trunks and stumps, but now my yard looks like the marines called in an air strike and used bunker busters just for fun... Well, if I ever decide to dig a root cellar or a new well, I have a great start. Maybe I can say these are Mississippi caves and start a tourist trap for the folks traveling to and from New Orleans, hmmm.
Ok, enough idle bantering. I am proud to be the first to tell you about this latest issue of the MWL. Have you ever wondered why the wind speeds from ships and the nearby weather buoys seem contradictory at times? Just read Dave Gilhousen's article on page 4 to understand why. Mr. Frits Koek, the Voluntary Observing Ship Program lead for the Netherlands Weather Service has submitted an interesting article on how he helped with the Whitbread Round the World yachting race by understanding the weather patterns. Skip Gilham has yet again honored us with a historical article about the ship E.M. FORD. We also have two; count them two articles for the "From the Desk of a PMO" section that discusses New Orleans and Miami and the hurricanes from the PMO perspective. There is also a great story that the USCG shared with us on the outstanding support from our Canadian neighbors helping after the hurricanes. A special notice for all reporting ships using AMVER/SEAS. Effective 01 May 2006, the original 3110 transmission address that was setup within your GMDSS will be terminated. Please refer to the guidelines that were in the April 2005 issue and now reprinted in this issue on page 11 to ensure your system is set up to the new transmission address.
I really appreciate all y'all for supporting the Mariners Weather Log and the Voluntary Observing Ship program. I hope that you enjoy reading this issue as much as we have enjoyed preparing it. I also want to re-iterate the joy that the Gulf Coast has received due to all the kind thoughts, prayers, compassion, and assistance given to us all.
Thanks Once Again - Luke
Some Important Web Page Addresses
| NOAA | http://www.noaa.gov |
| National Weather Service | http://www.weather.gov |
| National Data Buoy Center | http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov |
| AMVER Program | http://www.amver.com |
| VOS Program | http://www.vos.noaa.gov |
| SEAS Program | http://seas.amverseas.noaa.gov/seas/seasmain.html |
| Mariners Weather Log | http://www.vos.noaa.gov/mwl.shtml |
| Marine Dissemination | http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/marine/home.htm |
| U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center | http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/marcomms |
See these web pages for further links