The Shipping Forecast
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
The announcement of the shipping forecast is one of the most comforting to be heard on BBC Radio 4. No matter what calamitous events are happening, the shipping forecast is a calm constant in an ever-changing world.
The tune ‘Sailing by’ follows the final Radio 4 programme at night before closedown. It is played at 00:45 to introduce the late night forecast. Its repetitive tune serves as a signal for sailors tuning in to easily identify the correct station.
The broadcast reports weather conditions and forecasts for the seas around the British Isles. The Met Office provides the data and the BBC broadcasts it ‘on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’ four times a day, at 00:48, 05:20, 12:01 and 17:54. The measured tones of the broadcaster betray no surprise or emotion and are reassuring, even when gales are forecast for the entirety of the British coastline. The forecast has a poetry of its own, the names of the 31 sea areas familiar to all who listen, at sea, on land, in fair weather or foul.
Even though modern ships have onboard technology to advise them of weather conditions they still tune in to the broadcast to check their information. The forecast follows the same format of around 350 words, beginning with any gale warnings that may be in force followed by the general synopsis, which is a brief summary of weather conditions in the seas around the UK and Ireland. Then the area forecasts are given, including wind direction and speed, weather, visibility, and any ship icing.
Driving home late at night, or tucked up in bed, the shipping forecast is soothing and familiar, though less so to storm-tossed fishermen in icy seas, or lifeboat crews hastening to an imperilled vessel.
It is an important element of the fabric of our (UK) lives.
We have a Dunoon mug showing the sea areas surrounding the British Isles. It also features the Beaufort scale.
That would be a fun mug to drink from.
ReplyDeleteIt holds half a pint of whatever you want to drink, usually tea.
DeleteI used to listen to the weather forecast as a child - I didn't understand most of it but those interesting names seemed very attractive to a child who loved words and books and, as you say, the calm and measured delivery of the info was so engaging. xx
ReplyDeleteIt's good to be safe and warm indoors when sea conditions are rough. x x
DeleteIf I hear the shipping forecast I know I'm either awake too late or too early! Thankfully I don't hear it very often
ReplyDeleteIt amuses me when cricket is interrupted for the forecast.
DeleteBeing an early waker, it is the 5:20 am version of the shipping forecast I hear most often. I am the proud possessor of a tea towel illustrating the sea areas!
ReplyDeleteAre you in Forth or Cromarty?
ReplyDeleteI've never heard the shipping forecast. I do love your mug though.
ReplyDeleteThank you - I love Dunoon mugs.
DeleteI only like to be on a ship and have fun. Even when it shakes and most of the people throw up and the tables slide through the room I only see the funny side, I am not afraid. Forecast I would never look at, if it is like he weather forecast they are mostly wrong. And the music is nothing for me it would rather keep me awake !
ReplyDeleteI've grown up with the shipping forecast so it's special for me.
DeleteOh memories. As you say, both the introduction music and then the rhythmic reading of the forecast was very soothing. Sadly I no longer listen to the radio since losing much of my hearing. I would probably be asleep anyway when it is broadcast!
ReplyDeleteHappy memories last forever.
DeleteI used to know the areas by heart and said them out loud. Then they changed them. Most common mistake was to say "Dover, Sole".
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting. I thought it was just Finisterre that changed to Fitzroy.
DeleteAs Stephen Fry spoofed: ‘Malin, Hebrides,
ReplyDeleteShetland, Jersey, Fair Isle, Turtle-neck, Tank
Top, Courtelle...
Blowy, quite misty, no seasickness. Not many
fish around, come home, veering suggestively.’
The Shipping Forecast, broadcast nightly on
Radio 4 at 00:48 hours precisely and followed
by the National Anthem, has an odd and distinct
poetry....! :O).
🌬️ 🌬️ 🌬️ 🌬️ 🌬️ 🌬️ 🌬️ 🌬️ 🌬️ 🌬️ 🌬️ 🌬️ 🌬️ 🌬️
I remember when the National Anthem was played in cinemas!
DeleteWe used to have two cinemas here..The Palace,
Deleteand The Ritz...when the National Anthem's were
played, it was wild rush to get out before it was
played...The chippie was just across the street,
a race to see who got there first for their fish and
six...HaHa! Good old days..! :O).
I'd heard so much about the shipping forecast, but had never had the occasion to listen to it, so thank you for sharing Janice! xxx
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Ann. x x x
DeleteHow very interesting! We don't have a "shipping forecast" here, but I am one who checks my weather aps a dozen times a day!
ReplyDeleteWeather forecasting is a specialised science . . . and frequently wrong, in UK, anyway:-)
ReplyDeleteI never got used to Finisterre being renamed FitzRoy. I have the Dunoon mug somewhere. I just had a look in my mug cupboard but I have a feeling it's been relegated to the box of mugs in the loft. There are only so many one can use before the dishwasher is full!
ReplyDeleteI loved the name Finisterre, so much more romantic than Fitzroy, which always sounds stiff to me.
ReplyDeleteI love to listen to the shipping forecast, but don't often catch it. It's soft rhythms are great for nodding off to.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
A wonderful lullaby :-) x
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