12.08.2010 08:11
What's on?: Shipping Forecast

The British Isles has a long tradition of seafaring, and although most boats which leave British shores these days are involved in leisure or commercial enterprises – yachts, ferries, fishing boats or container ships – all vessels, regardless of size, are at the mercy of natural elements. Hence, a programme dedicated to the weather around the coasts of the British Isles: 'Shipping Forecast'.

Each forecast is broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Long Wave, for optimum reception at sea, and follows a strict three-minute format. The first words are always: "And now the Shipping Forecast, issued by the Met Office on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency at (time) GMT/BST today (date)." Beginning with gale warnings, the announcer then goes on to give a general synopsis, then area forecasts, starting in the northeast waters of the North Sea, and moving clockwise around the coast. This information starts with the areas, wind direction, strength (from 1 to 12 on the Beaufort scale) followed by precipitation and then visibility, for example: „Viking, North Utsire, northerly, 5 to 7, occasionally 4 in West Viking. Showers. Good.”

It has been on air since 1921 in one format or another. The current incarnation is updated four times a day starting after the news at midnight.

Sounds dull? Well, it’s the melody of the listings, the rhythm, the intonation and the evocative names that make the Shipping Forecast so beguiling. While it has a practical and essential use for those at sea, it has an enduring appeal to land-locked listeners and holds a particular place in British consciousness. The lyricism of the Shipping Forecast has been used by various British rock bands, including Blur and Radiohead. Poets such as Seamus Heaney from Ireland have also used the Shipping Forecast as inspiration, as has the current Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy. And, of course, it has been the source of many parodies and jokes: The Shopping Forecast, The Mid-Life Forecast. The music Sailing By which as the nightly closedown music on BBC Radio 4 precedes the midnight edition is quite a popular choice to play at funerals.

Tune in and listen to the latest Shipping Forecast at the following times: 00.48, 05.20, 12.01 or 17.54 (British Time). Find out whether you consider the latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping to be haunting and melodic.

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