National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
1325 East-West Highway
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-3283
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
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SUBJECT: Transmittal Memorandum for Operations Manual Issuance 77-2
TO : All Holders of Operations Manual
1. Material Transmitted:
New Chapter B-16, Marine Reporting Stations.
2. Summary:
This chapter describes the administration and operation of the Marine Reporting Station network.
3. Effect on Other Instructions:
Cancels Chapter B-16, Issuance 75-24 dated 10/3/75 and only Paragraph 2.5.1, Exhibits B-90-3 and B-90-4 of Chapter B-90 of Issuance 74-25 dated 11/4/74.
George P. Cressman
Director, National Weather Service
Issue Date Org. Code NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE Part Chap.
1-10-77 W521x2 Operations Manual B 16
MARINE REPORTING STATIONS
(MARS)
Table of Contents:
*1. Purpose4. Supervising Station Responsibilities
5. NWS Regional Responsibilities
Exhibits:
*B-16-1 Marine Coastal Weather Log--Coastal StationB-16-2 Requirements for a Special Weather Report
*B-16-3 Marine Reporting Stations and Their Supervising Office
* * * * * * * *
*1. Purpose. This chapter (1) delineates responsibilities of WSH, regional offices, and supervising stations in maintaining observational standards and procedures, (2) provides instructions for recording observations on NOAA Form 72-5a, Marine Coastal Weather Log-Coastal Station, (3) discusses transmission and archiving of observations, (4) explains interagency coordination necessary to maintain the MARS network, and (5) lists the stations participating in the MARS program.
2. General Discussion. Marine Reporting Stations (MAR)- are located on the immediate coast or on inland bodies of water, (i.e., lakes or rivers). The MARS network is comprised of mostly U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) observation stations. There are a few volunteer civilian and other government operated MARS. In special cases, some civilian observers are paid. MARS observations are coded in a standard format, compiled in regional bulletins, and transmitted via national circuits. These reports, usually transmitted at 2- to 3-hourly intervals, are used for updating local, regional, and some national forecast and warning services. MARS reports are used extensively in NOAA Weather Radio continuous weather broadcasts for U.S. coastal waters and the Great Lakes. These observations are available to all the Weather Service Forecast Offices, National Severe Storms Forecast Center (NSSFC), National Hurricane Center (NHC), and Department of the Air Force, Air Weather Service, for severe weather forecast considerations.
*3. Observation Program. MARS observations consist of reports of visually observed elements (i.e., present weather, visibility, wind, and sea conditions). To improve the quality of observations, MARS are at least equipped with a wind measuring instrument. Some temperature (air and water) and pressure equipment are provided to selected MARS when deemed necessary to improve the network data quality. MARS observers record observations on "Marine Coastal Weather Log-Coastal Station" NOAA Form 72-5a (exhibit B-16-1) at regular intervals. MARS observers are asked to make special observations when extreme conditions of wind, visibility, and wave conditions are experienced (exhibit B-16-2). Observations are transmitted directly to NWS collection points or to Coast Guard radio stations for relay to NWS. Completed observation logs (NOAA Form 72-5a) will be sent to the respective MARS supervising station at the end of each month.
4. Supervising Station Responsibilities. The MARS supervising station will provide limited observation training to observers by periodic visits to MARS. It supplies necessary forms and materials to MARS under its supervision. Supervising stations, with approval of respective regional headquarters, will select parameters to be observed by the MARS stations.
MARS supervising stations will review, for quality and completeness, observation logs (NOAA Form 72-5a) from MARS under their supervision. After review, the supervising station will send the completed logs to:
Archival Services Branch, D541
National Climatic Center
Environmental Data Service/NOAA
Federal Building
Asheville, North Carolina 28801
5. NWS Regional Responsibilities. Regions provide operational support and guidance to maintain integrity of the MARS network as it pertains to regional and national data needs. Regions will establish the type of observation programs to be carried out by MARS and assign each MARS with a NWS supervising station. Where feasible, Port Meteorological Offices will be used for this function. Regions will provide WSH with requests for support needed to maintain or improve the MARS network. Requests may be in the form of a regional network plan or by specific requests.
6. WSH Responsibilities. WSH Basic Observation Branch (W521x2) coordinates the overall MARS program with the regions, Coast Guard, and other participating agencies. When necessary, they will also establish national policy regarding the MARS program. They are responsible for updating MARS observational forms and instructions.
WSH Ocean Services Division (W16) provides network and data requirements for the MARS program. WSH Communications Standards and Procedures Branch (W532 ) upon request from a region arranges for obtaining MARS location identifiers from the Federal Aviation Administration. WSH Resources Management Staff (Wx3) maintains station documentation for use in the Station Information File.
7. Joint NWS-Coast Guard Responsibilities. The instructions to Coast Guard MARS are covered under Weather Reporting Units in USCG Commandant Instruction (COMDTINST) 3140.3 series. COMDTINST 3140.3, which is updated annually, is coordinated with WSH Basic Observation Branch (W521x2 ) before issuance to CG field units. This instruction outlines observation programs for all CG field units. Included in this instruction are Weather Observation Units (stations which make reports for station record only) which send their completed but unchecked observation forms directly to NCC for archiving. According to COMDTINST 3140. 3 any CG Weather Observation Unit can be upgraded to a MARS (CG Weather Reporting Unit) upon NWS region's request to a Coast Guard District. Changes in an established station's observing program should, however, be cleared through NWS and CG Headquarters. NWS regions should coordinate with CG Districts on local MARS network operations plan.
8. Awards for MARS. See WSOM chapter I-80 for NWS Public Service Awards and WSOM Letter (filed with B-17) for Special Service Awards.
*9. Station Documentation. All MARS are documented for inclusion in the NWS Station Information File. MARS in this file are included in the annual edition of "National Weather Service Offices and Stations" and the U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Instruction 3140.3. Preparation of forms necessary for documentation is covered in WSOM chapter A-11. The current MARS list is contained in Exhibit B-16-3.
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MARINE REPORTING STATIONS (B-16)
| CG DIST |
NWS REGION | STA ID | STATION NAME | STATE | LAT | LONG | # OBS DAILY | NWS MONITER |
| DISTRICT 1 | ||||||||
| 1 | 1 | 9B5 | BEAR ISLAND LS | ME | 4417 | 6816 | 5 | PWM |
| 1 | 1 | 27B | CAPE NEDDICK LS | ME | 4310 | 7036 | 5 | PWM |
| 1 | 1 | 14B | DUCK ISLAND LS | ME | 4409 | 6815 | 8 | PWM |
| 1 | 1 | 8B9 | EGG ROCK LS | ME | 4421 | 6808 | 8 | PWM |
| 1 | 1 | 089 | GOAT ISLAND LS | ME | 4320 | 7024 | 5 | PWM |
| 1 | 1 | 16B | HERON NECK LS | ME | 4402 | 6852 | 8 | PWM |
| 1 | 1 | 18B | MANANA ISLAND FSS | ME | 4346 | 6920 | 8 | PWM |
| 1 | 1 | 19B | MATINICUS ROCK LS | ME | 4347 | 6851 | 8 | PWM |
| 1 | 1 | 21B | MT DESERT LS | ME | 4358 | 6808 | 8 | PWM |
| 1 | 1 | PORTLAND HEAD LS | ME | 4337 | 7012 | 8 | PWM | |
| 1 | 1 | 20B | ROCKLAND | ME | 4406 | 6906 | 8 | PWM |
| 1 | 1 | 23B | SEGUIN ISLAND LS | ME | 4343 | 6946 | 8 | PWM |
| 1 | 1 | 24B | WEST QUODDY HEAD LS | ME | 4449 | 6657 | 8 | PWM |
| 1 | 1 | 29B | BOSTON LS | MA | 4219 | 7053 | 8 | BOS |
| 1 | 1 | 45B | BRANT POINT | MA | 4117 | 7005 | 8 | BOS |
| 1 | 1 | 33B | BUZZARDS BAY ENTR LS | MA | 4123 | 7102 | 8 | BOS |
| 1 | 1 | 30B | CAPE COD CANAL | MA | 4147 | 7030 | 8 | BOS |
| 1 | 1 | 31B | CHATHAM | MA | 4140 | 6957 | 8 | BOS |
| 1 | 1 | 34B | GLOUCESTER | MA | 4235 | 7040 | 8 | BOS |
| 1 | 1 | 32B | MENEMSHA | MA | 4121 | 7046 | 8 | BOS |
| 1 | 1 | 35B | MERRIMAC RIVER | MA | 4249 | 7052 | 8 | BOS |
| 1 | 1 | 36B | RACE POINT | MA | 4205 | 7012 | 8 | BOS |
| 1 | 1 | 37B | SCITUATE | MA | 4212 | 7043 | 8 | BOS |
| 1 | 1 | 12B | BOON ISLAND LS | NH | 4307 | 7029 | 8 | PWM |
| 1 | 1 | 26B | ISLES OF SHOALS LS | NH | 4258 | 7037 | 8 | PWM |
| 1 | 1 | 25B | PORTSMOUTH HARBOR | NH | 4304 | 7043 | 8 | PWM |
| 1 | 1 | PJI | POINT JUDITH | RI | 4122 | 7129 | 0 | PVD |
*Exhibit B-16-3: Marine Reporting Stations (MARS) and Their Supervising Office (1 of 11)
| CG DIST |
NWS REGION | STA ID | STATION NAME | STATE | LAT | LONG | # OBS DAILY | NWS MONITER |
| DISTRICT 3 | ||||||||
| 3 | 1 | 30N | FALKNER ISLAND LS | CT | 4113 | 7240 | 8 | BDP |
| 3 | 1 | 32N | LITTLE GULL IS LS | CT | 4112 | 7206 | 8 | BDR |
| 3 | 1 | N11 | NEW HAVEN | CT | 4116 | 7254 | 0 | BDR |
| 3 | 1 | 18N | NEW LONDON LEDGE LS | CT | 4118 | 7205 | 0 | BDR |
| 3 | 1 | 61N | INDIAN RIVER | DE | 3837 | 7504 | 8 | ILG |
| 3 | 1 | 55N | ATLANTIC CITY | NJ | 3923 | 7425 | 8 | ACY |
| 3 | 1 | N78 | BARNEGAT LAS | NJ | 3946 | 7406 | 8 | ACY |
| 3 | 1 | N91 | CAPE MAY ANT | NJ | 3857 | 7453 | 8 | ACY |
| 3 | 1 | 54N | MANASQUAN INLET | NJ | 4006 | 7401 | 0 | NYC |
| 3 | 1 | 56N | SANDY HOOK | NJ | 4028 | 7401 | 8 | NYC |
| 3 | 1 | N28 | AMBROSE LS | NY | 4027 | 7349 | 8 | NYC |
| 3 | 1 | 45N | BAY SHORE | NY | 4038 | 7316 | 8 | NYC |
| 3 | 1 | 34N | EATONS NECK | NY | 4057 | 7324 | 8 | NYC |
| 3 | 1 | N84 | EXECUTION ROCKS LS | NY | 4053 | 7344 | 0 | NYC |
| 3 | 1 | 48N | MONTAUK POINT LS | NY | 4104 | 7156 | 8 | NYC |
| 3 | 1 | 49N | MORICHES | NY | 4047 | 7245 | 8 | NYC |
| 3 | 1 | 50N | ROCKAWAY | NY | 4034 | 7353 | 8 | NYC |
| 3 | 1 | 51N | SHORT BEACH | NY | 4035 | 7333 | 8 | NYC |
| CG DIST |
NWS REGION | STA ID | STATION NAME | STATE | LAT | LONG | # OBS DAILY | NWS MONITER |
| DISTRICT 5 | ||||||||
| 5 | 1 | 61W | ANNAPOLIS | MD | 3855 | 7628 | 8 | BAL |
| 5 | 1 | 66W | COVE POINT LS | MD | 3823 | 7623 | 6 | BAL |
| 5 | 1 | W06 | CRISFIELD ANT | MD | 3759 | 7552 | 5 | BAL |
| 5 | 1 | W30 | OCEAN CITY | MD | 3820 | 7505 | 8 | BAL |
| 5 | 1 | 67W | STILLPOND | MD | 3920 | 7606 | 8 | BAL |
| 5 | 1 | 65W | THOMAS POINT LS | MD | 3854 | 7626 | 8 | BAL |
| 5 | 1 | 77W | CAPE LOOKOUT | NC | 3436 | 7632 | 8 | ILM |
| 5 | 1 | 44W | DIAMOND SHOALS LS | NC | 3509 | 7518 | 8 | ORF |
| 5 | 1 | 46W | FRYING PAN LS | NC | 3329 | 7735 | 8 | ORF |
| 5 | 1 | 78W | OAK ISLAND | NC | 3353 | 7801 | 8 | ILM |
| 5 | 1 | 45W | OCRACOKE | NC | 3507 | 7559 | 8 | HAT |
| 5 | 1 | 79W | OREGON INLET | NC | 3546 | 7531 | 8 | HAT |
| 5 | 1 | 1W9 | WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH | NC | 3411 | 7749 | 25 | ILM |
| 5 | 1 | 62W | CAPE HENRY LS | VA | 3656 | 7600 | 8 | ORF |
| 5 | 1 | W39 | CHESAPEAKE LS | VA | 3654 | 7543 | 8 | ORF |
| 5 | 1 | 63W | MILFORD HAVEN | VA | 3729 | 7619 | 8 | ORF |
| 5 | 1 | 64W | PARRAMORE BEACH | VA | 3732 | 7537 | 8 | ORF |
| CG DIST |
NWS REGION | STA ID | STATION NAME | STATE | LAT | LONG | # OBS DAILY | NWS MONITER |
| DISTRICT 7 | ||||||||
| 7 | 2 | X85 | DRY TORTUGAS LS | FL | 2438 | 8255 | 8 | EYW |
| 7 | 2 | X91 | EGMONT KEY LS | FL | 2736 | 8246 | 4 | TPA |
| 7 | 2 | X89 | FT MEYERS BEACH | FL | 2627 | 8157 | 8 | FMY |
| 7 | 2 | X82 | FT. PIERCE | FL | 2728 | 8018 | 8 | PBI |
| 7 | 2 | X84 | ISLAMORADO | FL | 2457 | 8035 | 8 | MIA |
| 7 | 2 | X81 | LAKE WORTH INLET | FL | 2646 | 8003 | 8 | PBI |
| 7 | 2 | X88 | MARATHON | FL | 2443 | 8107 | 8 | EYW |
| 7 | 2 | 1J3 | PONCE DE LEON INLET | FL | 2904 | 8055 | 8 | DAB |
| 7 | 2 | X90 | VENICE LORAN | FL | 2705 | 8227 | 5 | TPA |
| 7 | 2 | 1J1 | ST SIMON ISLAND | GA | 3108 | 8122 | 8 | SAV |
| 7 | 2 | 1J2 | TYBEE | GA | 3201 | 8051 | 8 | SAV |
| 7 | 1 | 86J | CHARLESTON | SC | 3246 | 7951 | 5 | CHS |
| 7 | 1 | 84J | FOLLY BEACH LN | SC | 3241 | 7953 | 4 | CHS |
| 7 | 1 | 85J | GEORGETOWN LS | SC | 3313 | 7911 | 5 | CHS |
| 7 | 2 | X93 | CAPE SAN JUAN LN | PR | 1823 | 6537 | 8 | MJSJ |
| 7 | 2 | X92 | POINT TUNA LS | PR | 1759 | 6553 | 4 | MJSJ |
| 7 | 2 | X69 | PORT PONCE LAS | PR | 1758 | 6637 | 3 | MJSJ |
| 7 | 2 | X70 | ST THOMAS (LAS) | VI | 1821 | 6455 | 2 | MJSJ |
| CG DIST |
NWS REGION | STA ID | STATION NAME | STATE | LAT | LONG | # OBS DAILY | NWS MONITER |
| DISTRICT 8 | ||||||||
| 8 | 2 | 8R1 | MOBILE POINT LS | AL | 3014 | 8802 | 4 | MOB |
| 8 | 2 | 1J4 | CAPE SAN BLAS LN | FL | 2941 | 8522 | 8 | AQQ |
| 8 | 2 | 1J5 | SANTA ROSA IS | FL | 3019 | 8715 | 8 | PNS |
| 8 | 2 | 8R6 | CALCASIEU RBS | LA | 2947 | 9321 | 8 | LCH |
| 8 | 2 | 8R5 | GRAND ISLE | LA | 2916 | 8957 | 8 | MSY |
| 8 | 2 | 8R3 | SOUTHWEST PASS LS | LA | 2855 | 8926 | 8 | MSY |
| 8 | 2 | 8R0 | PASCAGOULA | MS | 3022 | 8834 | 8 | MOB |
| 8 | 2 | 8R8 | FREEPORT | TX | 2857 | 9518 | 8 | GLS |
| 8 | 2 | 9R1 | FORT ARANSAS | TX | 2750 | 9704 | 8 | CRP |
| 8 | 2 | 9R3 | PORT ISABEL | TX | 2604 | 9710 | 8 | BRO |
| 8 | 2 | 8R9 | PORT O'CONNOR | TX | 2826 | 9626 | 8 | GLS |
| 8 | 2 | 8R7 | SABINE (PSS) | TX | 2944 | 9352 | 8 | BPT |
| CG DIST |
NWS REGION | STA ID | STATION NAME | STATE | LAT | LONG | # OBS DAILY | NWS MONITER |
| DISTRICT 9 | ||||||||
| 9 | 3 | 18C | MICHIGAN CITY | IN | 4143 | 8654 | 12 | CHI |
| 9 | 3 | 31G | BELLE ISLE | MI | 4220 | 8258 | 12 | DTW |
| 9 | 3 | 18G | DETROIT RIVER LS | MI | 4200 | 8309 | 12 | DTW |
| 9 | 3 | 31Y | EAGLE HARBOR LS | MI | 4728 | 8810 | 12 | MQT |
| 9 | 3 | 14C | FRANKFORT | MI | 4438 | 8615 | 12 | MKG |
| 9 | 3 | 27Y | GRAND MARAIS | MI | 4641 | 8559 | 12 | MQT |
| 9 | 3 | 17C | LUDINGTON LS | MI | 4357 | 8628 | 12 | MKG |
| 9 | 3 | 33Y | MANITOU ISLAND LS | MI | 4725 | 8735 | 12 | MQT |
| 9 | 3 | 34Y | MARQUETTE LS | MI | 4633 | 8723 | 12 | MQT |
| 9 | 3 | 19C | MUSKEGON LS | MI | 4314 | 8620 | 12 | MKG |
| 9 | 3 | 28Y | NORTH MANITOU SHOALS | MI | 4501 | 8557 | 12 | MKG |
| 9 | 3 | 35Y | PASSAGE ISLAND LS | MI | 4813 | 8822 | 12 | MQT |
| 9 | 3 | 36Y | POINT BETSIE LS | MI | 4442 | 8615 | 5 | MKG |
| 9 | 3 | 33G | PORT HURON | MI | 4300 | 8225 | 12 | DTW |
| 9 | 3 | 32Y | PORTAGE | MI | 4714 | 8838 | 12 | MQT |
| 9 | 3 | 37Y | ROCK OF AGES LS | MI | 4752 | 8919 | 12 | MQT |
| 9 | 3 | 30G | SAGINAW RIVER | MI | 4338 | 8351 | 12 | DTW |
| 9 | 3 | 44Y | SAULT STE MARIE ANT | MI | 4630 | 8420 | 12 | SSM |
| 9 | 3 | 41Y | ST CLAIR SHORES | MI | 4228 | 8226 | 12 | DTW |
| 9 | 3 | 38Y | ST IGNACE | MI | 4551 | 8443 | 12 | SSM |
| 9 | 3 | 20C | ST JOSEPH | MI | 4207 | 8629 | 12 | GRR |
| 9 | 3 | 39 | TAWAS POINT LS | MI | 4415 | 8326 | 12 | APN |
| 9 | 3 | 40Y | THUNDER BAY IS LS | MI | 4502 | 8312 | 12 | APN |
| 9 | 3 | 30Y | DULUTH HARBOR | MN | 4646 | 9205 | 12 | DLH |
| 9 | 1 | 19G | BUFFALO | NY | 4253 | 7853 | 12 | BUF |
| 9 | 1 | 13G | NIAGARA | NY | 4316 | 7904 | 12 | BUF |
| 9 | 1 | 28G | OSWEGO | NY | 4328 | 7631 | 12 | SYR |
| 9 | 1 | 26G | ROCHESTER LS | NY | 4315 | 7736 | 12 | ROC |
| 9 | 1 | 20G | ASHTABULA LS | OH | 4155 | 8048 | 12 | CLE |
| 9 | 1 | 23G | CLEVELAND HARBOR | OH | 4130 | 8143 | 12 | CLE |
| 9 | 1 | 27G | LORAIN | OH | 4128 | 8211 | 12 | CLE |
| CG DIST |
NWS REGION | STA ID | STATION NAME | STATE | LAT | LONG | # OBS DAILY | NWS MONITER |
| DISTRICT 9 | ||||||||
| 9 | 1 | 21G | MABELEHEAD LS | OH | 4133 | 8244 | 12 | CLE |
| 9 | 1 | 24G | TOLEDO | OH | 4142 | 8327 | 12 | TOL |
| 9 | 1 | 256 | ERIE HARBOR | PA | 4207 | 8005 | 12 | ERI |
| 9 | 3 | 29Y | DEVILS IS LS | WI | 4705 | 9044 | 12 | DLH |
| 9 | 3 | 16C | KENOSHA | WI | 4235 | 8745 | 12 | MLI |
| 9 | 3 | 15C | MILWAUKEE | WI | 4301 | 8757 | 12 | MKE |
| 9 | 3 | 21C | SHEBOYGAN | WI | 4345 | 8742 |