1. JCOMM SHIP OBSERVATION TEAM (SOT-IV)- FOURTH SESSION (16-21 APRIL 2007) SOT Activities in Pakistan By Muhammad Touseef Alam Director Pakistan Meteorological Department

2. PAKISTAN-AN INTRODUCTION South Asian Country stretches from Southwest to Northeast between Lat 23.36N to 36.30N and Long. 60.40E to 77.40E. Iran & Afghanistan in the west, India in the east, China in the north and Arabian Sea in the south. Enjoys all sorts of climate - very cold winters in northern parts and hottest summer in sandy deserts of south.

3. MAP OF PAKISTAN ARABIAN SEA

4. Marine Met Services by Pakistan Met Department (PMD) PMD is entrusted with the responsibility of providing the Marine Met Service for Metarea IX. Metarea IX

5. Provision of weather warnings and sea bulletins. Marine Meteorological support for maritime search and rescue. Provision of information by radio-facsimile Provision of Special bulletin in the wake of TC Development. MARINE MET SERVICES BY PAKISTAN MET DEPARTMENT (PMD)

6. MARINE MET SERVICES (CONT.) Users - the ships roaming in the area are transmitted the bulletin on-line via SafetyNet (Telnet) message using INMARSAT (CES- coastal earth station, Perth Australia).

7. FLEET FORECAST For North Arabian Sea (B00, B30), Gulf of Oman (B25 ) and Persian Gulf (B20). PROVIDED TWICE A DAY TO: Pakistan Navy Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and Fishermen.

8. FLEET FORECAST (CONTD.)

9. PN-SHIPS’ FORECAST Provided specifically to PN Ships for area (100 NM from Karachi coast ).

10. TROPICAL CYCLONE (TC) ALERT PMD does alert the maritime community of any Tropical Depression activity in the area.

11. Tropical Cyclone (TC) Alert – cont. PN, KPT, PNSC are issued Alert Signals depending on TC intensity. TC: Location, Intensity, Movement, Expected landfall and would-be damages.

12. OBSERVATION FROM VOS OCTOBER-06 TO FEBRUARY-07 Name of VOS 1.Sinai 2.Persia 3.Makaran 4.Iran Hesabi 5.OEL Aishwarya 6.Khairpur 7.Corinthiakos 8.Luni Castle 9.Thor Captain 10.Precious Panama Observation Frequency Per Month 02 01 22 02 15 02 03

13. FEEDBACK & DIFFICULTIES Poor response from users – only Pakistan Navy (PN) responds. Scanty Observations – Ships Particularly Long Voyage-bound are reluctant to provide. Data record is in raw form - only hard copy. Misconception amongst the mariners that observations are of no value when their vessels are close to the Coast.