The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-Hazards (VMGD) has received a significant milestone by recruiting MV Takutai Chief, as its first vessel under the Voluntary Observing Ship (VOS) scheme.

The department stated- this is to enhance Vanuatu’s capabilities in maritime safety and weather forecasting according to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

Under the SOLAS, meteorological institutions must always provide accurate and timely weather warnings and forecasts to ensure safer navigation at sea.

For this to happen, weather data collection from ships at sea is crucial to improve marine forecasts, weather models and contributing to the global climate science.

The MV Takutai Chief is a container ship operated by Tropical Agency Ltd.

VMGD also installed a Vaisala Digital Barometer on the Bridge of the vessel, along with a laptop supplied by the Bureau PMO to facilitate weather reporting, along with instruction sheets and crew training on the use of Turbowin and software, enabling the crew to accurately record weather data such as atmospheric pressure, location, course, speed and other meteorological elements.

The crew then send these observations to the main meteorological station in Port Vila via email, which will then be integrated into local and regional weather monitoring systems.

These valuable data supports weather forecasting, martime safety, and climate research in the region.

VMGD said this is the first step in strengthening strong marine weather services under the VOS program, and contribute to global efforts in climate monitoring.