SEAS IV Software

SEAS IV

AMVER/SEAS Software version 4.54 (AMVER/SEAS software versions 4.0 and later are Y2K compliant)

AMVER NETWORK Automated Mutual assistance VEssel Rescue	SEAS PROGRAM Shipboard Environmental [data] Acquisition System

Under a cooperative agreement between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U. S. Coast Guard, the SEAS IV software has been created to assist Volunteer Observing Ships (VOS) in submitting marine weather reports and participating in the Automated Mutual-Assistance VEssel Reporting System (AMVER). The VOS program allows commercial ships to report marine weather to the National Weather Service (NWS) so that high seas forecasts will be as timely and accurate as possible. The AMVER system allows ships to report their intended track so that in the event of an emergency all available resources may be focused on aiding ships in distress. Both of these systems are voluntary and are intended to aid commercial traffic on the high seas.

WHAT IS AMVER?
AMVER is a worldwide voluntary ship reporting system operated by the U.S. Coast Guard to promote safety of life and property at sea. AMVER's mission is to quickly provide search and rescue authorities on demand with accurate information on the positions and characteristics of vessels near a reported distress.

How to Participate
AMVER participants submit four types of reports to indicate ports of departure and destination and the vessel's position at all times during the voyage. AMVER is endorsed by the International Maritime Organization and nearly 13,000 ships of over 130 flags participate in the program

Use of Reported Information
Information voluntarily provided by vessels to AMVER is kept strictly confidential and is protected by the Coast Guard. It will be released only for safety purposes. Also, as a free service to our participants, to satisfy certain requirements of Title 33, U.S. CFR, advance notification of arrival in U.S. ports will be provided.

WHAT IS SEAS?
The Shipboard Environmental [data] Acquisition System (SEAS) is a global volunteer observing ship program operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for the collection of marine meteorological and ocean data.

How to Participate
SEAS participants are requested to take weather observations four times per day, enter the data into the AMVER/SEAS IV software and transmit the data to SEAS Headquarters for global dissemination. In addition to weather observations, some ships may be requested to drop Expendable Bathythermographs (XBT's) into the ocean to obtain subsurface temperature data.

Use of Reported Information
This information is used in the preparation of the High Seas Forecast that is distributed to the marine community. Researchers and Climate Modelers also use the data as input to their models to help predict long-term climate variability and change.

Equipment Requirements
Ships may take part in either program, but there are benefits to participating in both programs. A ship can reduce reporting requirements and eliminate AMVER message costs by submitting one report to meet requirements for both programs. In order to participate, a ship must have the following equipment located on the bridge and available to the mates who will be making the reports:

PC - IBM compatible, 286 or better
3.5 inch floppy drive
Hard drive with MB of free space
DOS 5.0 or greater or Windows 3.1 or greater
INMARSAT Std C with a 3.5 inch floppy disk drive

WHAT IS INMARSAT STD C?
INMARSAT STD C is a global message system that stores and forwards messages and will be required aboard most ocean going vessels by 1999 as part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).

Do the vessels pay for the service when sending AMVER/SEAS IV messages?
Ships using this equipment and the AMVER/ SEAS software can send in their reports through COMSAT earth stations at no cost to the vessel.

If you meet the above requirements and are interested in learning more about these programs, please contact Bob Decker at: (Bob.Decker@noaa.gov) or Jim Farrington at: (James.W.Farrington@noaa.gov)