Tropical Prediction Center (TPC) Meteorologists Educate Mariners at the Miami International Boat Show.

TAFB Lead Forecaster Hugh Cobb (far left) shows an example of a TAFB graphical Marine forecast to an interested boater, while NWS Miami Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM) Jim Lushine (back right) fields questions at the 2005 Miami International Boat Show.

Marine forecasters from the TPC's Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch (TAFB) staffed the TPC/National Hurricane Center's (NHC) booth at the Miami International Boat Show in February. The show is one of the largest boat shows in the world, with an estimated 145,000 visitors to this year's show. The show attracts a wide range of mariners, ranging from casual weekend boaters to professional mariners that spend a large amount of time at sea. During the 5-day show, hundreds of boaters stopped by the booth to inquire about marine weather and to comment on the busy 2004 hurricane season. Forecasters provided marine weather-related educational literature and displayed examples of TAFB's graphical and textual marine products. The show not only provided an avenue for the forecasters to answer questions and educate inexperienced boaters, it also provided a great opportunity for TAFB marine forecasters to interact with many marine customers. Several customers stressed how much they rely on our forecast products in order to remain safe each day.

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