Voluntary Observing Ship (VOS) Program

The VOS Program obtains weather observations from vessels and ships traveling all over the world in the normal course of their business. The program relies on volunteer observers and operates at no monetary cost to the vessel. As an international program under World Meteorological Organization (WMO) auspices, the VOS Program lists 63 countries as participants. The U.S. program is the largest in the world, with approximately 650 vessels actively participating each quarter.

Observations are taken by deck officers, usually every 3 or 6 hours, formatted into a WMO code, and transmitted in real time to NWS. The observations are then distributed via national and international circuits for use by the maritime public, as well as by professional meteorologists for marine forecasting. Approximately 13 Port Meteorological Officers (PMO) are the National Weather Service (NWS) field representatives who recruit vessels, train observers, and supply necessary equipment and supplies to take observations.

Management of the VOS Program was transferred to the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) in October 2000 as part of the NWS reorganization. For the remainder of 2000, NDBC concentrated efforts in gathering data, preparing a transition plan, developing two positions to lead and manage the program, and beginning recruitment action.

For more information, visit www.vos.noaa.gov.