Arrangements for Receiving Forecasts of Environmental Conditions

Chapter 2 of Ship Operations focuses on information planning. The PWOM is responsible for explaining the means and frequency regarding ice and weather information collection. When a ship is intended to operate in ice, near ice, or in icy conditions, the manual must provide information about when and how weather and ice information is gathered and in what format.

When the information is available, consult global and local forecasts to identify weather and ice patterns that could expose the ship to adverse conditions. Weather updates need to occur often enough that the ship can take proper action to avoid the hazard or take refuge in a way that does not to exceed the ship's capabilities.

One option available is to use a land-based support information provider who will sort through the available information and provide the ship with only the relevant information needed. This also reduces the strain on the ship's communication systems.

Ice Information

The PWOM needs to include the following information:

• How radar should be used to identify ice floes
• How to tune the radar to be most effective
• How to interpret radar images

Any additional technologies used to provide ice information need to be fully explained.

Meteorological information

Meteorology is the branch of science focused on the analysis and forecasting of weather. Information about how up-to-date meteorological data is gathered and made available to the necessary people should be contained in this section.

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