Newsletter For Hong Kong Voluntary Observing Ships No. 16/ July 2000

Newsletter For Hong Kong Voluntary Observing Ships

No.16/ July 2000

50th Anniversary of World Meteorological Organization

The year 2000 marks the 50th anniversary of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), a specialized agency of the United Nations fostering and maintaining global cooperation in meteorology and hydrology. Hong Kong, China has been a member of WMO since its establishment in 1950. We are proud of this association with WMO. In particular, we are privileged to have benefited from WMO's many programmes, contributed to its initiatives and shared in its achievements. The Observatory's participation in the WMO Voluntary Observing Ships Scheme is an example.
To mark the occasion of WMO's 50th anniversary, the Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters was open to the public on 25-26 March. Over 8,000 visitors were received.
As in the past, the Hong Kong Observatory will rely on the assistance and cooperation of many organizations and individuals for the successful discharge of our services. We are looking forward to continuously receiving the same support and assistance from the marine community in the years to come.

Welcome to "Star Pisces" joining the fleet of HKVOS

We have the pleasure to announce that the Star Pisces has joined the fleet of HKVOS in March 2000. We are grateful to Captain Lennart Jegerfalk and the deck officers for their participation in the scheme by sending ship weather reports to the Hong Kong Observatory. These reports provided valuable information on the weather over the seas for the Observatory's forecasters and for compiling marine climatology.
The Star Pisces, a passenger ship of about 40,000 gross tonnage, is scheduled to ply the South China Sea. The cruising speed of the Star Pisces is around 20 knots. She has a capacity of over 2,000 passengers with about 900 crew members coming mainly from the Scandinavian countries.
We welcome ships to join the fleet of HKVOS. Please contact our PMO or complete and return the recruitment form available on our homepage (http://www.info.gov.hk/hko/wservice/tsheet/pms/recruit.htm).

2000 Hong Kong Marine Meteorological Services Survey

We are pleased to have begun receiving returns from ship masters to our year 2000 survey questionnaires on marine meteorological services. We should be grateful if masters who have not yet done so could take a moment to complete the questionnaire and return it to us at their earliest convenience.
The results of the survey will be compiled and released on the Observatory's homepage on Hong Kong port meteorological services (http://www.info.gov.hk/hko/wservice/tsheet/pms/pmsindex.htm) in September. The results will also be published in the next issue of the Newsletter.

New Tropical Cyclone Names

From year 2000, the Tokyo Typhoon Centre in Japan will assign a serial number and a name from the list below to every tropical cyclone attaining tropical storm strength in the western North Pacific and the South China Sea.

New Tropical Cyclone Name List Effective From 1 January 2000

Contributed by I II III IV V

Name Name Name Name Name

Cambodia Damrey Kong-rey Nakri Krovanh Sarika
China Longwang Yutu Fengshen Dujuan Haima
DPR Korea Kirogi Toraji Kalmaegi Maemi Meari
Hong Kong, China Kai-tak Man-yi Fung-wong Choi-wan Ma-on
Japan Tembin Usagi Kammuri Koppu Tokage
Lao PDR Bolaven Pabuk Phanfone Ketsana Nock-ten
Macau Chanchu Wutip Vongfong Parma Muifa
Malaysia Jelawat Sepat Rusa Melor Merbok
Micronesia Ewiniar Fitow Sinlaku Nepartak Nanmadol
Philippines Bilis Danas Hagupit Lupit Talas
RO Korea Kaemi Nari Changmi Sudal Noru
Thailand Prapiroon Vipa Megkhla Nida Kularb
U.S.A. Maria Francisco Higos Omais Roke
Viet Nam Saomai Lekima Bavi Conson Sonca
Cambodia Bopha Krosa Maysak Chanthu Nesat
China Wukong Haiyan Haishen Dianmu Haitang
DPR Korea Sonamu Podul Pongsona Mindule Nalgae
Hong Kong, China Shanshan Lingling Yanyan Tingting Banyan
Japan Yagi Kajiki Kujira Kompasu Washi
Lao PDR Xangsane Faxai Chan-hom Namtheun Matsa
Macau Bebinca Vamei Linfa Malou Sanvu
Malaysia Rumbia Tapah Nangka Meranti Mawar
Micronesia Soulik Mitag Soudelor Rananim Guchol
Philippines Cimaron Hagibis Imbudo Malakas Talim
RO Korea Chebi Noguri Koni Megi Nabi
Thailand Durian Ramasoon Hanuman Chaba Khanun
U.S.A. Utor Chataan Etau Kodo Vicente
Viet Nam Trami Halong Vamco Songda Saola

Changes of Marine Meteorological Services

From 1 October 2000, the Hong Kong Observatory will cease broadcasts of marine meteorological forecasts and warnings as well as reception of ship weather reports via Morse. As from that date, weather forecasts and warnings issued by the Observatory can be received through either an INMARSAT receiver or a NAVTEX receiver. Also, weather observations from ships can be transmitted to the Observatory via radiotelex or INMARSAT.
From the same date onwards, the marine weather forecasts issued by the Observatory and broadcast via NAVTEX will cover 10 areas. They represent areas normally covered by the broadcast radius of NAVTEX.

Port Meteorological Office Moved

The Port Meteorological Office has been moved from Miramar Tower back to the Hong Kong Observatory Headquarters since July 2000.

New Schedule of Newsletter for HKVOS

With the increase in popularity of the Internet, we shall utilize the Observatory's homepage(http://www.info.gov.hk/hko/wservice/tsheet/pms/pmsindex.htm) to provide the latest news and information on port and marine meteorological services. You are welcome to browse our homepage. Starting from the next issue, this Newsletter will be published once in April each year.