Getting Weather Data at Sea

A delivery skipper assesses the options for portable forecast options.

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As a USCG Master who does offshore deliveries, I rely on accurate and current weather forecasts. After exploring several options, I finally settled on a satellite-based system that not only enables me to get affordable, accurate forecasts, but is portable enough to take with me from boat to boat. In this part one of a two-part series, I’ll describe some of the options for obtaining weather data.

The first step in evaluating how to get weather at sea was to identify the options. Once outside the range of NOAA VHF radio broadcasts there are six general methods of getting weather aboard:

Getting Weather Data at Sea
Iridium provides nearly global coverage via a constellation of satellites.

1. Single side band (SSB) transceiver, almost always through a permanently mounted.

2. SSB receiver, often temporarily mounted, although it could be a permanently installed.

3. Satellite hotspot, such as Iridium Go

4. Black box satellite weather devices like Sirius XM.

5. Satellite telephone, such as the Iridium 9575.

6. Satellite messenger, such as Garmin inReach Explorer+.

Each of these methods have their own strengths and weaknesses. Keep in mind that my decision was based on my particular needs as a delivery skipper—many sailors will have other priorities.

The PS archives library has a wide range of articles on this topic, found by searching under the term “weather.”

SSB Transciever

A fix mounted SSB radio remains an important part of communications for offshore vessels. But, particularly for a delivery skipper who moves from boat to boat, it has some shortcomings that modern alternatives have overcome. The SSB allows you to receive text, charts, and GRIBS (gridded binary “raw” weather data files generated by the US NOAA/NCEP). File size depends upon the amount of data requested and can be from a few tens of Kb upwards. Although you can automate the process, getting weather products dirctly via SSB requires the radio to be on, a modem connected, and a computer connected during the time of broadcast.

An alternative method to get GRIBs is to use an email service such as SailDocs (the originator of this service), or the many services that now that now provide GRIBs upon request. These servers respond within a 1-2 minutes with the requested data. Requesting the file directly allows one to get the GRIBs when the radio is manned and are ready. It is a good option if you already have a fixed SSB radio. You can also receive weather from weather routers like Chris Parker.

WEATHER COMMUNICATION

DEVICE PORTABILITYEASE OF USECOST
SATELLITE MESSENGERYesGood$$
SSB RECIEVER NoFair$
SSB TRANSCIEVER NoFair$$$
BLACK BOX (SIRIUS XM) NoGood$$$$
SATELLITE HOTSPOTYesGood$$ (does not include service fees)
SATPHONE NoGood $$ (does not include service fees)

In addition to its ability to collect weather, an SSB is a powerful communication tool, allowing you to reach other ships at sea, as well as participate in the Global Maritime Distress Signaling System.

SSB Receiver

Getting Weather Data at Sea

A single-sideband receiver is the least expensive way to receive weather, but you must often have an antenna installed to get good reception. Like SSB transceivers they have the ability to receive information from weather routers. They also do not have the ability to provide tracking. As such, the router will not know your location and can only provide a generic weather forecast.

Satellite Hotspot

Getting Weather Data at Sea
A surface analysis produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(top) is a familiar tool for offshore navigators. The colorized GRIB files with longer outlooks, require experience with interpretation to be most useful .

Hot spots provide two-way text and voice communication, like SSB send/receive one can request and receive specific GRIB files. Hot spots can send tracking information, but one must engage a mapping service to see the track, or even location on a map. To use the hotspot requires a smartphone, tablet or computer. Hotspots also provide text and voice communications. The popularity of the device has prompted a number of new services that focus on delivering on-demand cloud-based forecast products, including Predict Wind (www.predictwind.com), Luck GRIB (www.luckgrib.com), Sea Tech (www.sea-tech.com), OCENS (www.ocens.com) and others.

Black Box Devices

At $60 a month (not including the black box reciever) and with only a limited number of weather forecast products, subscription services like the Sirius XM weather, which can be integrated into a chartplotter, were not an option for me.

Satellite Telephone

Satellite phones offer the same functionality as a hotspot, with the addition of voice. Satellite phones like the Iridium 9575 Extreme, need to be connected to a computer—via the Iridium hotspot or a USB to collect weather data, which requires an external antenna.

Satellite Messengers

Messengers are standalone device. Until recently I only used a previous version of the Garmin inReach. The ability to text provides an easy means of communication. They also offer tracking. The messenger can send/receive text messages with no additional devices, although connecting a smartphone via Bluetooth makes typing easier.

The messenger can receive weather as well as send/receive written updates from a weather router. Using the Garmin automated weather system, a prudent captain can also track moving weather patterns. It is also possible to get weather routing through an inReach by leveraging cloud routing services like www.fastseas.com, but the 160 word limit can be constraining.

Satcom vs. Single-sideband radiotelephone

One chief difference between a portable satphone and single-sideband radio is that the former is typically point-to-point device-one caller contacting one or more designated recipients. An SSB transmission can be received by any device within broadcast range listening on that frequency. As with any apples-to-oranges comparison of two different systems providing similar functions (both SSB and a satphone can deliver voice communications and email, for example) both will invariably have pros and cons.

Operationally, the most obvious advantage of a satellite phone is its familiar form and operation. Even a non-sailor who has never used a VHF can probably figure out how to use a satphone. Another advantage is that its easy to call a landline phone with a satphone. And, for the sailor who likes to do his own installations, the satellite device greatly simplifies setup.

A satellite phones portability is also a plus. You can bring it on shore excursions, or even bring it with you should you need to abandon ship.

Getting Weather Data at Sea
The SSB radio remains an important means of communication
at sea, particularly among ocean voyaging sailors.

There are also cons to handheld sat phones: just like cell phones, handheld portable satphones are not meant to provide ship-to-ship safety communications or communications with rescue vessels or aircraft. Private party contractors like GEOS Alliance will help route rescue calls placed via satellite devices to the Coast Guard, but the U.S. Coast Guard doesn’t advocate cell phone or satellite phone as a primary means for making distress calls. They have proven, however, to be a very effective backup.

One of the main reasons sailors choose a marine SSB over a satellite phone is so that they can participate in various regional safety and cruising nets that allow cruising sailors to stay in touch and share local knowledge-and if needed, ask for help. You don’t, of course, need a transceiver to simply listen to these stations or nets-an ordinary portable multi-band radio that can tune into SSB frequencies will do.

An additional safety benefit of the modern SSB is Digital Selective Calling (DSC). DSC is an essential element in Global Maritime Distress and Safety System. All commercial ships mandated to have DSC are required to monitor DSC marine SSB frequencies while at sea. In the event of an emergency, they can receive your exact location and nature of distress at the push of a button.

As with VHF DSC, the DSC function effectively takes the search out of search and rescue, allowing rescue agencies (or nearby Good Samaritans) to provide immediate assistance, rather than waste valuable time trying to locate you first.

Although direct cost comparisons between SSB and satphones will depend on the particular unit or system being considered, its fairly typical to find that the initial cash outlay will likely be a bit less for a portable satphone (particularly if installation costs of the SSB are factored in). However, a more accurate assessment is lifetime cost, which can be determined by factoring in the costs associated with each system over the years—.

For over-the-counter portable satphones, lifetime cost ultimately depends on the service plan selected, but it can mean hundreds of dollars in annual, recurring costs. For SSB, unless you’re utilizing some type of commercial service (for weather routing, email, etc), transmitting and receiving over the airwaves is free, and free is good.

Observations

Satellite messenger subscriptions services have a few shortcomings. First, while doing a transatlantic delivery the weather forecasts provided through the device stopped working. I emailed the firm that provided them. My email explained that we were mid-Atlantic.

It was impressive to receive a response in an hour. The weather service provider advised me to contact Garmin. I sent an email to the Garmin support team explaining my situation. Instead of responding to the inReach, Garmin emailed me at home. Fortunately, my wife monitors that email account and relayed the message. Garmin advised that the weather forecast would be down “for a few days.” I believe all three of us  aboard “cursed like sailors.”

Using my account with Chris Parker, we were able to get forecast and guidance. Although Chris is a very competent router and for the crossing, I like to take control of my own routing. Without GRIB files, it felt like I was sailing blind.

The inability to see GRIBs and the failure of the integrated weather forecasting relay was motivation for upgrading my onboard weather receiving equipment.

Evolution of Text Weather for Sailors

Rugged hardware is important. Marine devices need to need to particularly resistant to water intrusion at connections.

Getting Weather Data at Sea
1. The Iridium Extreme 9575 satphone (see PS March 2013) remains a popular rugged satellite phone for cruising sailors. Offer-ing both voice and text options, it retails for about $1,1000. Voice and data plans begin at $55 per month.
Getting Weather Data at Sea
2. LIke the Iridium Go, the DeLorme In Reach, first introduced in 2013, is a compact “hotspot” that synchs with other devices allowing you to send text messages using you at relatively affordable rates (see PS March 2013).
Getting Weather Data at Sea
3. HF weatherfax printers are getting eclipsed by blackbox or satcom devices. It prints weather maps from government agencies using approved weather frequencies.
Getting Weather Data at Sea
4. The Garmin InReach Explorer+ combines communication and navigation capabilities in a stand-alone device. The InReach sells for about $350. Bare bones, emergency service plans start at $15 per month.
Getting Weather Data at Sea
5. The Iridium Go presents the most compact form factor of all the devices that we’ve tested to date.

Conclusion

The satellite messenger was eliminated as a primary means of weather collection for the reasons cited above.

The SSB options were eliminated for a few reasons. First as a delivery captain, whatever I bring has to be easy to; carry, install, use, and remove from each boat.  SSB also does not provide tracking information. Therefore, the SSB transceiver was not an option for me.

Lowest on my list of options was SSB receive-only. It is too cumbersome, did not provide a means for owners to communicate and did not provide a tracking service. Boat owners like to see where their boat is.

Satellite telephones and hotspots were both considered. The telephone option was eliminated as the connection to a computer was wired. This brought me to the Iridium GO. It was simple, raise the antenna, use an optional small antenna mounted to the rail or in the cockpit and download. After investing $699, I was the proud owner of an Iridium GO. So far, I am very satisfied with the results. Next month we’ll look at Predict Wind an extremely helpful Weather App to pair with the system.

 

 

13 COMMENTS

  1. There are different approaches in determining what is best for your offshore weather gathering needs. This is a good look at offshore weather choices from a business point of view that has mobility issues and can write off all expenses… what about a nonbusiness approach.

  2. As I wrote in the article, this comes down to personal choices. When a customer asks me this type of question, I respond with “How will you be using the boat?” Mostly coastal cruising? Then downloading GRIBs over WiFi or a cell phone hot spot will be fine. Even a hop from Florida to the Bahamas or island hopping can be done that way. Heck VHF weather will meet that need.

    Heading offshore? How long of a passage? How often will you be doing these passages? Are you comfortable relying on generic information? Depending on the answers, receiving weather through the inReach might work. Unless it goes down. Even with a weather router, and a personal friend with an unlimited license as a back-up weather router who sent updates via the inReach- I become uncomfortable not seeing a GRIB after about a week.

    It was that discomfort that prompted my investment in a GO device. I am of the opinion that like an EPIRB, certain upgrades add value beyond their purchase price. So even if I was not doing deliveries, and was cruising offshore, I would own a GO device and activate it for longer passages. My most recent delivery was a Panama to Key West job, once again having access to weather GRIBs and updates current GRIB files was priceless.

    Stay tuned as next month we will discuss software options.

    Bill

  3. Hi Bill from UK.
    We often sail the Irish Sea from Wales to Ireland then around the top of Ireland to the West Coast.
    In that passage, we regularly experience “no-go” areas with our VHF as do many other sailors.
    Is this the case with the IRIDIUM GO also?

  4. Glyn,

    I am unclear as to the meaning of ‘no-go areas’. Are those locations where you cannot receive land based weather?

    Iridium provides service through a web of satellites in polar. The closer you are to the poles, the orbits begin to converge and the better the coverage. Think of the orbits as following lines of longitude. The further the orbit gets from the pole, the greater the distance to the next satellite.

    This link will show the coverage in your area https://www.gsat.us/tools/iridium-satellite-location-map-tool There is an app iWatch that is also available.

    Travel safe

    Bill

  5. Hi Capt Bill,

    Thanks for the very helpful info. We are planning a trip from Halifax to Bermuda and Back June 2021. The Iridium Go sounds like a good option. Can you give me more detail please on how the GRIBS from the Iridium Go gets displayed on an ipad. Is it a usb or bluetooth connection from the Iridium Go to the ipad and the predictwind app takes the grib and displays it?

    • Tom,

      Both Predict Wind and LuckGrib have apps that load onto your iPad. The iPad is connected to the GO’s wifi network.

      Onboard step 1- fire up Iridium, step 2- connect iPad to GO’s wifi network, step 3- launch app, step 4- update vessel location inside app, step 5- download updated weather and (if purchased) routing. Another alternative is send an email and have the GRIBS emailed to you. This is cumbersome and not something I do, or would recommend.

      For a one-off trip getting a month of PW PRO is a good move, or buying LuckGrib is a cheap investment.

      Travel Safe

      Bill