Do you use the BBC Radio 4 shipping forecast?

I am a final year student at Plymouth University, studying Navigation and Maritime Science, and I am undertaking research into the current usage and public image of the BBC Radio 4 shipping forecast amongst yachtsmen, both professional and recreational.

My hypothesis aims to highlight how recent technological advances within the yachting sector may have impacted the use of longer term services such as the BBC Radio 4 long wave shipping forecast. With the usage of the internet, smartphones and ‘apps’ on a continual increase, and the heavy investment seen by marine companies in this area, it may seem that the consumer is constantly being pointed towards a digital age of ‘one device fits all’ (mobile phones, multi-display chart plotters etc.).

As fellow mariners and professionals, I wish to invite you to partake in this research and share your viewpoint regarding the relevance of the BBC broadcast within this current mobile generation.
If you could find time to complete the following survey, I would be extremely grateful.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bbcshippingforecast

I look forward to listening to your opinions.

Edited by HughJames - 29 Jan 13 at 10:37am

Not listened to a R4 ever, ashore I use web services and free GRIB files. Offshore if we're in data range/have a sat phone we will still use GRIBs or internet forecasts. Will occasionally listen to the VHF shipping forecast but only because its there, rarely tells us anything new.

Originally posted by SoggyBadger The R4 Shipping Forecast is there for people who make their living from the sea not for recreational boaters.

This.

There is only about a 12/16hr period out there where you can't get signal. Short enough that if you get the latest forecast before you cross and back it up with VHF there won't be any nasty surprises. And if you want more up to date info, thats why we invented Sat phones. 

On survey boats in the North Sea we used to listen to the shipping forecast and the synopsis without fail. Now there are lots of other sources but the shipping forecast is the one you can rely on. The survey was closed by the way.