Name: JCOMM/ETMSS Task Team on Maritime Safety Information
Start: 2009-03-09
End: 2009-03-11
Location: World Meteorological Organization - Case Postale 2300 - CH-1211 Geneva - Switzerland

1. - Opening of the session

1.1 - Opening
The meeting of the Task Team on Maritime Safety Information (TT-MSI) of the Joint WMO/IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM) Expert Team on Maritime Safety Services (ETMSS) will open at 0930 hours on Monday, 9 March 2009, at the WMO Headquarters, in Geneva, Switzerland. Mr Henri Savina, chairperson of the Task Team, will chair the session.

1.2 - Adoption of the agenda
The Team will be invited to adopt the agenda for the session based on the provisional agenda prepared by the Secretariat.
MSI-doc.1.2(1) Provisional agenda
MSI-doc.1.2(2) Annotated provisional agenda

1.3 - Working arrangements
The Team will agree its hours of work and other practical session arrangements. The documentation will be introduced by the Secretariat. It is expected that the documentation, and the meeting itself, will be in English only.
MSI-doc.1.3 Timetable

2. - Guidance and requirements from WMO and IOC Executive Body sessions: Impacts on ETMSS activities and priorities
The outcome of the decisions of WMO and IOC Executive Bodies will be reviewed with particular emphasis on actions that may need to be initiated, targets and priorities for the ETMSS. The Team will also be presented with a brief report on the outcomes of and actions arising from the seventh session of the JCOMM Management Committee (MAN-VII, Melbourne, Australia, December 2008), in particular those issues requiring action and/or discussion by the Team.
MSI-doc.2 Guidance and requirements

3. - Reports

3.1 - Progress/activity report from the chairperson
The Team will be presented with a report by the chairperson of the Team on the activities and actions taken since the second session of the JCOMM Expert Team on Maritime Safety Services (ETMSS-II, Angra dos Reis, Brazil, January 2007). The Team will review the status of its intersessional work plan, and agree on outstanding actions to be completed in the lead-up to JCOMM-III. . Based on discussions under the preceding agenda item, recommendations for additional actions by the Team and suggestions for its future work plan should be considered. New and emerging requirements should also be outlined.
MSI-doc.3.1 Progress/activity report from the chair

3.2 - IMO Report
Under this agenda item, the Team will be presented with reports by the chairpersons of the SafetyNET and NAVTEX Panels on recent activities of these international panels relevant to and/or requiring contribution by the Team. The Team will assess the IMO requirements for marine meteorological services, including Marine Pollution, and Search and Rescue.
MSI-doc.3.2-3.3 IMO and IHO Reports

3.3 - IHO Report
The representative of IHO will present the Team with a report on its recent activities relevant to and/or requiring contribution by the Team. Both the joint IMO/IHO/WMO Correspondence Group on MSI services and the IHO standards for Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) will be addressed under specific agenda items. The Team will assess the IHO requirements for marine meteorological services.

4. - Provision of MSI for Polar Regions

4.1 - Report of the Joint IMO/IHO/WMO Correspondence Group on MSI services
Under this agenda item, the Team will be presented with a brief report by the chairperson of the joint IMO/IHO/WMO correspondence group on Maritime Safety Information Services on recent activities of this Group. The Team will therefore be invited to review the suggestions by the correspondence group.
MSI-doc.4.1 Report of the Joint IMO/IHO/WMO Correspondence Group on MSI services

4.2 - Implementation of GMDSS in Arctic METAREAs
IMO decided to expand the GMDSS into the whole Arctic Ocean, enhancing a proposal submitted by the Russian Federation. It therefore established (IMO/COMSAR-10, London, March 2006) a joint IMO/IHO/WMO correspondence group on Arctic MSI services to address this expansion. The definition and endorsement of the boundary limits of 5 new Arctic NAV/METAREAs and the selection of the ad-hoc NAVAREAs Co-ordinators (IMO MSC-83, October 2007) and METAREAs Issuing Services (WMO EC-LX, June 2008) have been achieved. However, the implementation of operational service is still to be planned and organized by the Issuing Services within the next 2 years, with the support and coordination of ETMSS (the estimated date for IMO, IHO and WMO to simultaneously and declare the system operational is 2010/2011). The Team will review the status on the implementation of GMDSS in Arctic water, with particular emphasis on actions that may need to be initiated by the Team. It will also discuss the need for technical guidance on the provision of maritime safety information to the new Arctic METAREA Issuing Services.
MSI-doc.4.2(1) Implementation of GMDSS in Arctic METAREAs
MSI-doc.4.2(2) Review of the Sea Ice Services in the World

5. - Information delivery

5.1 - Met-ocean information in graphical/numerical form and E-Navigation charts
As stated in the 2001 amendments to SOLAS, Chapter V, weather information in graphical form is important for shipping. However, radio-facsimile broadcasts are gradually being curtailed or eliminated in a number of countries, for reasons beyond the control of NMSs. The WMO EC-LX (June 2008) emphasized the continuing importance to mariners in receiving graphical products via radio transmissions and requested JCOMM to continue researching methods for transmitting graphical products to marine users. In addition, the Electronic Navigation Charts (ENC) systems on SOLAS vessels as regulatory material have imminently increased, with the e-navigation concept emerging within IMO. The Team will define a work plan for developing met-ocean information in graphical/numerical form, taking in consideration the IHO standards for Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS).
MSI-doc.5.1(1) Met-ocean information in graphical/numerical form and E-Navigation charts
MSI-doc.5.1(2) Sea ice information in graphical/numerical form and E-Navigation charts

5.2 - Improvement of sea-state information specification for MSI (text bulletins and graphical products)
Based on the information given and results of discussions conducted under the previous agenda items, the Team will be invited to review the options for describing the state of the sea and a formal method for the description of rogue and freak waves, as well as the standardization of terminology used for defining sea-sate information.
MSI-doc.5.2 Improvement of sea-state information specification for MSI (text bulletins and graphical)

5.3 - Update sea ice information specification for weather and sea bulletins
Both WMO and IHO have been providing regulations and guidance materials concerning the provision of MSI related to sea ice. The Team will address the coordination and responsibilities between both organizations on the provision of MSI related to sea ice. The Team will also discuss contents of warnings, synopsis and forecasts on weather and sea bulletins concerning sea ice information.
MSI-doc.5.3 Update sea ice information specification for weather and sea bulletins

5.4 - Update tsunami information specification for weather and sea bulletins
The seventh meeting of the IHO Commission for Promulgation of Radio navigational Warnings (CPRNW), September 2005, has agreed to establish a special joint IMO/IHO/WMO/IOC working group to address the organizations’ role in the provision of Tsunami Maritime Safety Information (warnings and related information). Under this agenda item, the Team will review the recent activities of this joint working group relevant to and/or requiring contribution by the Team and will discuss in more detail guidance for the provision of Tsunami warnings for mariners, including type, content and formats of warnings.
MSI-doc.5.4 Report on the specification of tsunami related MSI
MSI-doc.5.4-Appendix Appendix A - ETMSS-II/Doc. 4.2, 4.3

5.5 - GMDSS web portal and the WMO Information System (WIS) and its application in the collection and dissemination of MSI
A web site (http://weather.gmdss.org) was established to make available in real-time global marine forecasts and warning broadcasts via satellite under the GMDSS marine broadcast. The Team will review its structure, contents and periodic updates, the engagement with the Sea Ice Services Website (http://ipy-ice-portal.com/), and other relevant issues, including the extension to NAVTEX products, the cooperation with IHO for incorporating Navigational Warnings.
MSI-doc.5.5 GMDSS web portal and the WIS

6. - Review of regulations and operational information

6.1 - Manual on Marine Meteorological Services (WMO-No.558) and Guide to Marine Meteorological Services (WMO-No.471)
JCOMM-II adopted Recommendation 7, 8 and 9 (JCOMM-II) for a number of amendments to the Manual on Marine Meteorological Services (WMO-No. 558) and Guide to Marine Meteorological Services (WMO-No.471). The Team will therefore review these documents, and make proposals and provide input in order to update these publications.
MSI-doc.6.1,6.2 WMO Mandatory Publications

6.2 - Weather Reporting (WMO-No.9), Volume D Information for Shipping
WMO Publication No. 9 (Weather Reporting), Volume D (Information for Shipping) has been in production for many decades. There is an ongoing and urgent requirement for JCOMM to review the contents and structure of the publication in light of the expected target audience, the relevance of the information provided, and capabilities for regular updating. The Team will review the publication and make proposals on its restructuring.

6.3 - Joint IMO/IHO/WMO publications
The Team will review the Joint IMO/IHO/WMO Manual on Maritime Safety Information, and other IMO and IHO publications relevant to and/or requiring contribution by the Team, including the IMO SafetyNET and NAVTEX Manuals.
MSI-doc.6.3 Review of Joint IMO/IHO/WMO Publications

6.4 - Proposed template for an Issuing Services’ Annual Report
Issuing Services of the WMO GMDSS Marine Broadcast System regularly present brief reports on their experience, progress, success and difficulties in implementing the system within their respective METAREAs. These reports also cover, where possible, feedback from users as well as experiences with regard to the coverage and implementation of meteorological broadcasts through the International NAVTEX Service. In order to standardize the information provided by the Issuing Services, the Team will develop a template for an Issuing Services’ Annual Report.
MSI-doc.6.4 Proposed Template for an Issuing Service Self Assessment Report

7. - WMO Quality Management Framework (QMF)

7.1 - WMO Quality Management Systems for the provision of marine meteorological services for International Navigation
The Cg-XV (May 2007) requested to implement quality management systems (QMS) at, at least one of its Members, and that the documentation developed during this process be shared with other developing countries with a view to facilitating and expediting QMS implementations. In this context, the Inter-Commission Task Team on Quality Management Framework (ICTT-QMF), at its meeting in October 2008, agreed that the provision of meteorological service for international maritime navigation certainly needs a QM approach. This should be developed in liaison with IMO, and the example of CAeM, where a clear customer requirements and feedback process is in place through ICAO, could be used beneficially.
MSI-doc.7.1 QMS for the provision of marine meteorological services for international navigation

7.2 - Quality Control of the marine meteorological services
One of the primary focuses and goals of ETMSS is to ensure that NMHSs delivery high quality products and services in support of the expressed requirements of users, nationally, regionally and globally. Direct interaction with and feedback from users is an essential part of the provision of high quality and valuable marine services. A marine meteorological monitoring programme was initiated by CMM in 1981 and user surveys have been conducted every four years. The Team will be invited to address this issue.
MSI-doc.7.2 Quality Control of the Marine Meteorological Services

8. - Any Other Business (AOB)
Under this agenda item, the Team may consider any other issues requiring actions or discussion by the Team.

9. - Closure of the session

9.1 - Adoption of the report
The Team will review, modify as necessary and approve the final report of the meeting.

9.2 - Closure
It is expected that the meeting of the Task Team on Maritime Safety Information will close by noon on Wednesday, 11 March 2009.

Agenda	Code	Name	Updated on	Action
Agenda	Code	Name	Updated on	Action
	JCOMM-MR-062, MAN-7	JCOMM Management Committee, 7th Session	14/03/2013
	SPAWP	SPA workplan	18/11/2010

Name	Country
ASHTON Nick	United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
CABRERA Edgard	Switzerland
DANIEL Pierre	France
DONLON Craig	Netherlands (Kingdom of the)
PARKER Philip	Australia
RULON Timothy	United States of America
SAVINA Henri	France
SEWEL Tim	United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
SOARES Alice	Switzerland
SWAIL Val	Canada

JCOMM/ETMSS Task Team on Maritime Safety Information
TT-MSI

Meeting

09 - 11 March 2009

JCOMM/ETMSS Task Team on Maritime Safety Information TT-MSI

Meeting

09 - 11 March 2009

JCOMM/ETMSS Task Team on Maritime Safety Information
TT-MSI