REFERENCE NO.: D64 - MET OCEAN 1. COURSE NAME: Meteorology & Oceanography 2.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS: The course includes the Meteorological Elements, Atmospheric Pressure Systems, Weather Reports/Recording and Reporting Weather Observations, Weather Forecasting, Oceanography and Waves 3. NUMBER OF UNITS FOR LECTURE AND LABORATORY: 2 LECTURE, 0 LABORATORY = 2 UNITS 4. NUMBER OF CONTACT HOURS: 2 LECTURE, 0 LABORATORY = 2 HOURS 5. PREREQUISITE: NONE 6. COURSE OBJECTIVE: The student shall be able to state how the atmospheric pressure is distributed around the earth and explain its effect on the prevailing winds and ocean surface currents, obtain relevant meteorological information from available sources, use shipborne meteorological instruments to make observations and forecast the weather. FUNCTION: F1 - Navigation at the Operational Level (STCW Code, Table AII/1) 7. COURSE OUTLINE: LEARNING OBJECTIVES The student shall be able to . . . . . . 7.1 7.1.1 7.1.2 7.1.4 7.1.5 Shipborne Meteorological Instruments state the basic principle of a mercurial barometer state the basic principles of an aneroid barometer 7.1.3 read the atmospheric pressure from an ordinary aneroid barometer read the temperature from a thermometer state the function of a hygrometer 7.1.6 state the basic principles of wind sensors, take and log ordinary readings of wind speed

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7.2

The Atmosphere, its Composition and Physical Properties 7.2.1 describe the composition of the earths atmosphere, mentioning dry air and its constituents, water vapour and aerosols 7.2.2 draw and label a typical vertical temperature profile through the lower 100 km of the earths atmosphere 7.2.3 define troposphere, tropopause, stratosphere, stratopause, mesosphere, mesopause, and thermosphere 7.2.4 describe the main features of the troposphere 7.2.5 state the importance of the sun as the principal energy source for atmospheric processes 7.2.6 describe the nature of solar radiation, (scattering, reflection and absorption) 7.2.7 explain the effect on insolation of a variation in latitude 7.2.8 explain the effect on insolation of a variation in the suns declination 7.2.9 explain the effect on insolation of a variation in the length of daylight 7.2.10 define water vapour 7.2.11 describe the properties of water vapour in the atmosphere 7.2.12 define evaporation, condensation, latent heat of vaporization 7.2.13 define saturated air 7.2.14 describe the processes of mixing, cooling and the evaporation of water vapour, by which a sample of air may be brought to saturation 7.2.15 define dewpoint, absolute humidity, relative humidity vapour pressure 7.3 Atmospheric Pressure 7.3.1state that pressure equals force per unit area 7.3.2state that the atmosphere exerts a pressure on any surface placed within it 7.3.3state that the atmosphere pressure on a unit area of a surface is equal to the weight of the air column extending from that surface to the outer fringes of the atmosphere 7.3.4explain that atmospheric pressure decreases with height above sea level 7.3.5state that atmospheric pressure acts in all directions 7.3.6 state that the basic unit of pressure is N/m2 7.3.7 state that 1 millibar = 10-3bar = 102 N/m2 7.3.8state that 1 hectoPascal (hPa) - 1 millibar 7.3.9state that the atmospheric pressure at sea level normally varies between about 940 hPa and 1050 hPa 7.3.10 state that the average pressure at sea level is 1013.2 hPa 7.3.11 explain that the surface pressure rises if air is added to the column above the surface, and vice versa 7.3.12 define isobar
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7.4 Wind 7.4.1 define wind 7.4.2 describe the Beaufort scale of wind force 7.4.3explain qualitatively the pressure gradient force 7.4.4explain qualitatively the Coriolis (geostrophic) force 7.4.5 explain the surface wind circulation around high and lowpressure centres 7.4.6 insert surface wind directions on a map showing pressure circulation around high and low pressure distribution and indicates relative wind speeds at various places within thepressure field 7.4.7state Buys-Ballots law 7.4.8 explain the method of estimating the strenght of the wind from the appearance of the sea surface, using the Beaufort wind scale 7.4.9 state the factors, other than the wind speed, which affect the appearance of the sea surface 7.4.10 explain the difference between apparent and true wind 7.4.11 determine the true wind velocity by using a vector diagram, given the apparent wind and the ships course and speed 7.4.12 describe the method of estimating the wind direction from the appearance of the sea surface 7.4.13 demonstrate the use of a geostrophic wind scale 7.5 Cloud and Precipitation

7.5.1 explain that clouds form when air containing water vapour rises, cools adiabatically and becomes saturated 7.5.2state the need for and define condensation nuclei 7.5.3 states that a cloud can consist of ice crystals, supercooled water droplets, water droplets or any combination of these 7.5.4 name and describe the ten basic cloud types 7.5.5 state the probable base heights of the ten principal cloud types 7.5.6 define precipitation 7.5.7 define rain, drizzle, hail snow and sleet 7.6 Visibility 7.6.1 7.6.2 7.6.3 7.6.4 7.6.5 state the visibility is reduced by the presence of particles in the atmosphere, near the earths surface define fog, mist, haze apply the concept of processes leading to supersaturation to a classification of fogs as mixing, cooling or evaporation fogs explain qualitatively the formation of radiation fog, mentioning areas, seasons and reasons for dispersal state the effect of pollution on the formation of radiation fog
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7.6.6 7.6.7 7.6.8

explain qualitatively the formation of advection fog, mentioning areas, seasons and reasons for dispersal explain qualitatively the conditions leading to the formation of sea smoke, and typical areas where a smoke may be encountered describe methods of estimating the visibility at sea, by day and by night, and the difficulties involved

7.7

The Wind and Pressure Systems Over the Oceans 7.7.1 explain qualitatively, with the aid of sketches, the circulation cells which would exist on a rotating earth, not inclined to its orbit of rotation around the sun, and with homogenous surface 7.7.2 draw the mean surface pressure and wind distribution over the earths surface in January and July 7.7.3 describe the characteristics and location of the doldrums, intertropical convergence zone, trade winds, sub-tropical oceanic highs, westerlies and polar easterlies 7.7.4 describe a monsoon regime 7.7.5 state the areas which experience a true monsoon regime 7.7.6 apply previous concepts to a qualitative explanation of the causes of monsoon regimes 7.7.7 apply previous concepts to a qualitative explanation of the weather associated with the January and July monsoons of the Indian Ocean, China Sea. north coast of Australia and west coast of Africa 7.7.8 explain qualitatively the monsoon-type weather along the northeast coast of Brazil 7.7.9 apply the concept of horizontal temperature differences to a qualitative explanation of the formation of land and sea breezes 7.7.10 explain the formation of anabatic and katabatic winds 7.7.11 state the regions of occurrence of anabatic and katabic winds 7.7.12 state examples of local winds

7.8

Structure of Depressions 7.8.1 7.8.2 7.8.3 7.8.4 7.8.5 7.8.6 7.8.7 7.8.8 define air mass explain the formation of an air mass define source region describe the characteristics required of a source region describe the source-region characteristics of arctic, polar, tropical and equatorial air-mass types define warm front, cold front recognize the symbols for warm and cold fronts and identifies them drawn on a weather map describe, with the aid of a diagram, the weather experienced during the passage of an idealized warm front
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7.8.9 7.8.10 7.8.11 7.8.12 7.8.13 7.8.14 7.8.15 7.8.16 7.8.17

7.8.18 7.8.19 7.8.20

describe, with the aid of a diagram, the weather experienced during the passage of an idealized cold front define depression identify the depression on a surface synoptic or prognostic chart describe the stages in the life cycle of a polar front depression describe a family of depressions draw a diagram of a polar front depression, for both northern and southern hemispheres, showing isobars, warm and cold fronts, with circulation and warm sector draw a cross-section through a polar front depression, on the poleward and equatorial side of the centre, showing fronts, cloud and precipitation areas describe the usual movement of a polar front depression apply previous concepts to an explanation of the weather changes experienced when a frontal depression passes with its centre on the poleward side of an observer in the northern hemisphere and in the southern hemisphere describe the process leading to the occlusion of a polar front depression identify a tough of low pressure on a surface synoptic or prognostic chart describe the weather associated with the passage of a trough

7.9 Anticyclones and Other Pressure Systems 7.9.1 7.9.2 define anticyclone draw a synoptic pattern of an anticyclone, for both northern and southern hemispheres, showing isobars and wind circulation 7.9.3 identify an anticyclone on a surface synoptic or prognostic chart 7.9.4 describe the weather associated with anticyclones 7.9.5 define a ridge of high pressure 7.9.6 draw a ridge of high pressure 7.9.7 draw a synoptic pattern for a ridge showing isobars and wind directions 7.9.8 describe a typical weather sequence during the passage of a ridge between depressions across the observers position 7.9.9 define a col 7.9.10 draw a synoptic pattern for a col, showing isobars and wind directions 7.9.11 describe the weather associated with a col 7.9.12 identify ridges and cols on a surface synoptic or prognostic chart 7.10 Weather Reports/Recording And Reporting Weather Observations 7.10.1 describe the source of weather information available to shipping; 7.10.2 describe the information generally needed from ships to meteorological offices;
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7.10.3 state the basic services provided for ships by meteorological offices and demonstrate ability to utilize this service to obtain relevant information; 7.10.4 describe the type of information received by facsimile machine; 7.10.5 describe the services provided for storm warnings; 7.10.6 use the ships code and decode book to decode a reduced report from a shore station and vice versa; 7.10.7 use Beaufort abbreviations for present and past weather including clouds. 7.11 Weather Forecasting 7.11.1 apply previous concepts to the interpretation of symbols and isobaric patterns on weather charts and facsimile charts; 7.11.2 apply previous concept to the interpretation of synoptic and prognostic chart to ascertain wind direction, areas of strong winds, clouds and precipitation areas; 7.11.3 explain how weather observations from a ship can be used to improve the forecast derived from synoptic and prognostic charts. 7.12Oceanography 7.12.1 Ocean currents 7.12.1.1 explain the interrelation between the global wind systems and the current systems of the ocean; 7.12.1.2 explain the main causes of ocean currents, wind-drift currents and gradient currents; 7.12.1.3 explain the effect of evaporation and the effect of a wind blowing a coastline and how these effects influence the current; 7.12.1.4 explain the characteristics of ocean currents; 7.12.1.5 describe how to observe ocean current; 7.12.1.6 use available information and estimate the speed and direction of the ocean current for a given position at a given time; 7.12.1.7 explain the various methods of charting the currents; 7.12.1.8 describe the main current system of North Atlantic Ocean, North Indian Ocean, south Indian Ocean, North Pacific Ocean, and South Pacific Ocean. 7.12.2 Waves 7.12.2.1 explain the formation of waves; 7.12.2.1.1 explain why waves travel in group and describe the variation in wave height within a group; 7.12.2.1.2 describe how duration and fetch influence the significant wave height;
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7.12.2.1.3 illustrate the difference between waves and swell; 7.12.2.1.4 explain wave refraction in shallow water; 7.12.2.1.5 explain how the decreasing depth in shallow water causes an increasing wave height and eventually breaking waves. 7.12.3 Ice on the Sea 7.12.3.1 state areas where fast ice is expected; 7.12.3.2 show the limits and movements of arctic and Antarctic icebergs; 7.12.3.3 explain the danger of sailing in ice and iceberg areas; 7.12.3.4 state the normal signs of being in an iceberg area; 7.12.3.5 describe the conditions in which accumulation of ice on ship occurs. EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS, CHEMICALS, TEACHING AIDS: 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 Aneroid Barometer Barograph Hygrometer/Psychrometer Anemometer Drawings/pictures of cloud formations Various drawings/pictures of the condition of the sea under various wind forces related to the Beaufort Scale 8.7 Maps showing predominant currents, and seasonal changes in different areas of the world (Pilot charts) 8.8 Facsimile receiver 8.9 Admiralty list of radio signals - Vol. 3 8.10 At least one fully operational VHF Transmitter/Receiver for radiotelephony and DSC, but preferably two sets 8.11 International Code Signals, including special flags and pennants and their meaning as one letter signals 8.12 One dedicated MF/HF Watch Receiver for the DSC distress frequencies 8.13 One dummy SART 8.14 One dummy satellite EPIRB 9. REFERENCES: Meteorological office: Meteorology for Mariners. London HMSO, 3rd Edition. 9.2 Meteorological office: Mariners Observers Handbook. London HMSO, 10th Edition. 9.3 IMO Model Course 7.03, 1999 Edition. ISBN 92-801-6105-9. 9.4 Ahustin, Anthony S. and Antojado, Danilo S. Meteorology and Oceanography.
9.1

8.

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