Met Office innovation set for greater wave of interest

A life on the ocean wave never has to be as unpredictable from now thanks to the national roll out of a new Met Office service which has already been delighting an elite group of mariners.

The launch of the Met Office's "Time&Place" service is likely to revolutionise life at sea, as sailors, divers and even fishermen can now find out what the weather will be like at the press of a button on their mobile phone.

Technology also means you don't always have to push a button - the information can be sent automatically following instructions you've already given on a new user-friendly web site.

The service - using a WAP handset or the basic text messaging service SMS - gives accurate weather updates within a 3-mile or 5k radius, on the hour every hour if required*, and includes a special lightning warning. It can even allow you to plan around the weather up to five days ahead. In short, it's the most local and personal forecasting you have ever been able to get.

Met Office Commercial Division managing director Stephen Lawrenson said: "It's a real technological first - it's like having one of the most powerful forecasting computer systems in the world, in the palm of your hand."

And signing up to the new service could not be easier - just a visit to the Met Office site - www.metoffice.gov.uk - where people can sign up and tailor make the information they want to receive over their mobile phone.

Said Stephenson: "By calling up the service you can find out whether conditions where you are going to be are likely to be hazardous. The locality of the forecasts means you can receive information about a specific area. You can then save the information, using specific names if required, to your phone."

"The developing technology of mobile telecoms industry will also mean that it won't be too long before the service will automatically know where you are, and so tailor its information accordingly."

Mariners had a sneak preview of the service at this year's Southampton Boat Show in September. Hundreds took up the offer of a free trial, including "seasoned sailor" Mark Harrington who owns a 29-ft yacht.

He said: "It's very impressive and particularly useful when it's not possible to catch weather reports on the radio. The service has been very accurate in pinpointing specific areas and will be especially useful on the longer trips - when we do 50 - 100 miles. As far as safety goes - the service is particularly good for forecasting strong winds."

The service is payable on subscription with the ability to pre-pay for an agreed amount of messages - on average 20p a message (minimum £10 spend).

For more information go to www.metoffice.gov.uk or call the customer centre on 0845 300 0300 if you have any queries about the website. If you are a WAP user you can access the service via www.mymetoffice.com/main.wml

*only available on WAP handsets