Maritime Safety
Worldwide Met-Ocean Information and Warning Service (WWMIWS)
The Worldwide Met-Ocean Information and Warning Service (WWMIWS) provides Maritime Safety Information (MSI) to mariners in the form of marine forecast and warning products. The WWMIWS is coordinated across the worlds’ oceans through 21 defined areas, called MetArea’s. Ships receive the MSI products via SafetyNet and Navtex communication systems, which form part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).
The MSI products are issued by National Meteorological and Hydrographic Services (NMHS) appointed as WWMIWS Issuing Services. METAREA Coordinators are assigned to coordinate provision of the marine services for each area. View the roles and responsibilities for a MetArea Coordinator and a contact list.
The WMO/IOC Joint Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM) has an operational web site http://weather.gmdss.org·that provides a single entry point to SafetyNet and Navtex products issued under the Worldwide Met-Ocean Information and Warning Service.
The JCOMM Expert Team on Maritime Safety Services (ETMSS) is responsible for the operational coordination of the WWMIWS. View the activities of the ETMSS.
Reference Documents
- GMDSS Master Plan: IMO GMDSS.1/Circ.13, 2011
- Questionnaire on GMDSS Masterplan - Updating Form: IMO MSC.1/Circ.1382, 2010
- List of NAVAREA Co-ordinators: COMSAR.1/Circ.51/Rev3, 2012
- List of METAREA Co-ordinators: WMO No. 9 Vol. D
- Amendment - Promulgation of Maritime Safety Information : IMO MSC.1/Circ.1287, 2008, Resolution A.705(17) as amended (Effective 1 January 2010)
- Joint IMO/IHO/WMO MSI Manual: IMO MSC.1/Circ.1310, 2015 (Effective January 2016)
- International SafetyNET Manual: IMO MSC.1/Circ.1364, 2010 (Effective 1 January 2012)
- Revised NAVTEX Manual: IMO MSC.1/Circ.1403, 2011 (Effective 1 January 2013)
- IMO/WMO Worldwide Met-Ocean Information and Warning Service - Guideline Document: IMO Resolution A.1051(27), 2011
- Information for Shipping: WMO No.9, Vol D (Effective 19 May 2017)
- Real-time marine weather information for GMDSS (on a new page) »»»
- GMDSS METAREAs (on a new page) »»»
- Marine Meteorological Monitoring Survey Reports (on a new page) »»»