1. Graeme Ball VOS Program Manager, Australia Chairman, Ship Observations Team PMO-III, 23-24 March 2006, Hamburg, Germany. Role & Responsibility of the PMO

2. PMO-III, 23-24 March 2006, Hamburg. 2  The PMO is a representative of the NMS, and primary point-of-contact with local maritime authorities and the marine community at large.  Important because it contributes directly to the success of the JCOMM VOS Scheme, such as: Maintaining the strength of the international VOS fleet; and Maintaining the quality and frequency of ship weather reports. Role

3. PMO-III, 23-24 March 2006, Hamburg. 3  Broadly defined by the WMO in numerous publications: WMO Technical Regulations (WMO No. 49); Guide to Marine Meteorological Services (WMO No. 471); and Manual on Marine Meteorological Services (WMO No. 558).  Specifically defined by the NMS in national guides, manuals and instructions.  Dependent on the port being serviced, and the type and volume of marine traffic visiting the port. Responsibilities

4. PMO-III, 23-24 March 2006, Hamburg. 4  To recruit ships of any nationality into, and maintain a national VOS fleet.  To maintain accurate records of ships recruited into the national VOS: Full ship details, as required for WMO-No. 47 (Pub47). All instrumentation supplied and recovered. All instrument checks and calibrations dates. Specific Functions

5. PMO-III, 23-24 March 2006, Hamburg. 5  To regularly visit ships recruited into the national VOS fleet, to: Maintain contact with the Observers; Provide ongoing training to Observers; Maintain and inspect the meteorological and selected oceanographic instruments; Check the presence and condition of supplied handbooks, meteorological tables and charts; Maintain the ship's supply of logbooks, autographic charts, muslin, wicks and other mandatory consumables; and Recover and inspect completed logbooks, autographic charts and electronic logbook data. Specific Functions

6. PMO-III, 23-24 March 2006, Hamburg. 6  To provide the following services, regardless of the ship’s nationality and country of recruitment: Perform a barometer check; Check meteorological code tables; Check instructions for Observers; and Provide advice on bulletins, including a list of areas for which forecasts are issued and to update the relevant facsimile broadcast schedules. Specific Functions

7. PMO-III, 23-24 March 2006, Hamburg. 7  At the request of the Master of any ship, regardless of country of recruitment, perform the following services: Check the meteorological and selected oceanographic instruments; and Provide advice or assistance on meteorological matters.  To promote and maintain liaison with: NMS; Neighbouring PMOs; Harbour authorities & shipping companies; and Merchant marine schools and yacht clubs. Specific Functions

8. PMO-III, 23-24 March 2006, Hamburg. 8  To enquire with the ship's officers about any problems that may be experienced with regard to: The transmission of meteorological and oceanographic observations to a Land Earth Stations or other facility; and The reception and adequacy of forecasts, bulletins and facsimile broadcasts, and to bring this information to the attention of the national meteorological service. Specific Functions

9. PMO-III, 23-24 March 2006, Hamburg. 9  To support complementary national, regional and international marine meteorological and oceanographic programmes, such as: The deployment of drifting buoys and profiling floats; The Ship-of-Opportunity Programme; and The Automated Shipboard Aerological Programme. Specific Functions

10. PMO-III, 23-24 March 2006, Hamburg. 10