Module 13 - Meteorology
Shipping Forecast Times and Weather Sources for Sailors
The Met Office prepares UK marine forecasts and warnings on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The Shipping Forecast covers 31 larger sea areas; the Inshore Waters Forecast divides coastal waters up to 12 nautical miles offshore into 19 areas and includes wind, sea state, weather and visibility. Choose the product whose coverage matches the route rather than assuming the best-known bulletin is the most local.
Delivery method matters. The MCA describes NAVTEX as the principal UK Maritime Safety Information route: international 518 kHz transmissions are in English, while national 490 kHz schedules include selected inshore forecasts and strong-wind warnings. VHF and MF radiotelephony complement NAVTEX. A receiver must be configured for the relevant station and message area, and no nominal range guarantees reception on one vessel.
Internet pages and apps are convenient but the Met Office warns that the internet is not itself part of the Maritime Safety Information system and should not be the only means of obtaining the latest forecast and warnings. BBC schedules have changed: the dedicated long-wave service ceased in 2024, and the current MCA schedule should be checked rather than recalled from an old course note. Whatever the channel, verify the issue time, valid period, area and warning status.
| Source or route | Best use | Check before relying on it |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping Forecast | Wider sea-area wind, weather, visibility, synopsis and gale warnings | Correct sea area, issue and 24-hour validity |
| Inshore Waters Forecast | Coastal route up to 12 M offshore, including sea state and strong-wind information | Correct one of 19 areas, issue and outlook |
| International NAVTEX 518 kHz | English-language MSI including warnings and forecast products | Relevant station identifiers, message categories, schedule and reception |
| National NAVTEX 490 kHz | Selected inshore forecast, strong-wind warning and coastal observations | Relevant transmitter, area and current schedule |
| Coastguard VHF/MF RT | Complementary scheduled MSI broadcasts | Current local channel, announced working channel and coverage |
| Website/app/BBC | Convenient access and briefing ashore | Fresh page, issue time and a non-internet fallback for MSI |
| On-board/local observations | Validate whether actual conditions match the forecast | Do not treat one observation as a complete forecast |
Common questions
What is the current BBC Radio 4 Shipping Forecast schedule?
The MCA schedule reviewed on 19 August 2026 lists 00:48 and 05:34 local time on weekdays and weekends, plus 17:54 at weekends, on Radio 4 FM or BBC Sounds. Schedules can change, so verify the current MCA or BBC listing before relying on it; dedicated long-wave broadcasting ceased in 2024.
What is the Inshore Waters Forecast?
It is a coastal forecast for waters up to 12 nautical miles offshore, so it is often more directly useful for Day Skipper coastal passages than the wider sea-area forecast.
Which weather sources should a Day Skipper check?
Use the current Shipping and/or Inshore Waters forecast and warnings appropriate to the route, then plan a reliable update route such as correctly configured NAVTEX or scheduled Coastguard radio information where fitted and available. Compare them with observations and current local information.
Optional quick check
Section 6 of 6
Which weather-information plan is strongest for a passage that may lose mobile data?
Keep revising this topic
Sources and factual review
Reviewed 19 August 2026 - Day Skipper Revision.
Practice weather decisions
The meteorology module links forecasts, Beaufort force, pressure systems, fronts, and practical passage choices.