Module 13 - Meteorology
Shipping Forecast Times and Weather Sources for Sailors
Quick answer
For UK coastal sailing, combine the Shipping Forecast, Inshore Waters Forecast, Coastguard VHF broadcasts, NAVTEX, and current Met Office coastal forecasts.
- Shipping Forecast: useful big-picture sea-area forecast.
- Inshore Waters Forecast: usually more relevant within 12 nautical miles of the coast.
- Keep monitoring updates during the passage, not only before departure.
Active recall
Section 6 of 6
Explain the main idea from sources of Weather Information in your own words.
BBC Radio 4 currently carries the Shipping Forecast at 0048 and 0520 every day, with an additional 1754 broadcast at weekends. The Inshore Waters Forecast follows the early broadcasts at about 0055 and 0527. Broadcast schedules can change, so verify the current Met Office or BBC schedule; the Inshore Waters Forecast itself is issued four times daily and covers waters up to 12 nautical miles offshore.
Other sources include: NAVTEX (automatic text receiver), VHF Coastguard forecasts (scheduled broadcasts on local channels), Met Office website and app, and marina/harbour forecasts displayed locally.
Common mistakes
- Using only one forecast source.
- Confusing sea-area forecasts with local inshore detail.
- Forgetting that conditions can change faster than your original passage plan.
Key points
- Shipping Forecast: currently 0048 and 0520 daily, plus 1754 at weekends; verify the schedule
- Inshore Waters follows the early broadcasts at about 0055 and 0527; verify the schedule
- Coastguard: scheduled VHF broadcasts on local channels
- NAVTEX: automatic text weather receiver (518 kHz)
- Met Office website and app: detailed coastal forecasts
Common questions
What is the current BBC Radio 4 Shipping Forecast schedule?
The current schedule is 0048 and 0520 every day, with an additional 1754 broadcast at weekends. Broadcast schedules can change, so verify the latest Met Office or BBC information.
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 more than one reliable source: the Shipping Forecast, Inshore Waters Forecast, Met Office updates, Coastguard VHF broadcasts, NAVTEX where fitted, and local harbour or marina information.
Keep revising this topic
Sources and factual review
Reviewed 5 July 2026 - Day Skipper Revision.
Practice weather decisions
The meteorology module links forecasts, Beaufort force, pressure systems, fronts, and practical passage choices.