Written by Darcy Gresham
The Shipping Forecast was established in 1861 and has since become the longest running continuous forecast in the world. It is a unique maritime meteorological prediction issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency through the Met Office, and broadcast by BBC Radio 4. There is no other weather broadcast that contains such extensive information in a short, synthesised bulletin.
The origins of the shipping forecast lie in 1859, when deadly storms off the Anglesey coast claimed the lives of over 800 people across 133 ships. These events prompted discussions about provisions of storm warnings for sailors. Vice-Admiral Robert FitzRoy, founder of the Met Office and captain of the HMS Beagle, began a series of sea warnings which have since evolved into the Shipping Forecast recognisable today. FitzRoy believed he could have predicted the storms, and saved hundreds of lives; this prospect, coupled with his interest in meteorology, led to weather publications that are thought to have been the first public weather forecasts in the world.
Over the initial years, the forecast comprised of short news bulletins, slowly developing into more nationally recognised broadcasts. In 1924, the shipping forecast was first properly broadcast on the BBC and covered thirteen regions (seven of which are recognisable in today’s edition). By 1949, the increase in shipping forced an expansion of the Shipping Forecast, which is when it adopted its current form. The regions North and South Utsire were introduced later, after the growth of the North Sea oil fleet, illustrating the adaptations of the forecast to maritime demand.
Each forecast follows the same military format, beginning with gale warnings, a synopsis of the whole coast, and then area-specific details. The rigid format and time allocation only allows 350 words for the entire forecast, so an economy of language is vital. This has led to a distinct shorthand being developed, with many journalists commenting that this adds to its mysterious qualities. Each zone represents a different part of the waters around the British Isles, with 31 in total. The forecast starts in the North Sea – with “Viking” the area between Shetland and Norway – and moves clockwise. Wind direction, strength, sea state, weather, and visibility are all mentioned. In the cases of similar forecasts between regions, these are combined into a single description. The areas have changed slightly over time, and a couple boast rather enchanting names. Most are named for geographical features: Humber or Thames for the estuaries, Biscay and Irish Sea for bodies of water, Viking and Dogger for banks. The most recent addition was FitzRoy, in 2002, named after the founder of the Forecast; it incorporates the area off northwest Spain, that was previously referred to as Finisterre.
Not only does the shipping forecast give crucial information for seafarers, it is also used by coast-walkers, kayakers, kite-surfers, dog-walkers, bait-diggers, and many more whose lives are intertwined with the sea. Furthermore, it has become a British institution; seen by many as “part of this intangible thing called Britishness”. As some may confess, taking pride in a nautical identity, through radio waves explaining distant conditions, does seem intrinsically British, and from a nation of queuers, it can be easy to reflect upon how it has fondly become a nostalgic tradition.
Many comment on its soporific effect; its mystical vocabulary and the tone in which it is presented can poetically lull one to sleep. Within popular culture its influences can be seen musically in the works of Blur (“This is a Low”), Radiohead (“In Limbo”), and The Prodigy (“Weather Experience”). Within the literary world, Seamus Heaney wrote a sonnet entitled “The Shipping Forecast” and more recently it has appeared in “A Kestrel for a Knave” by Barry Hines and Carol Ann Duffy’s poetry. Additionally, it has interrupted nail biting moments of test match cricket, including the final moments of the 2011 Ashes series. The ‘theme tune’, “Sailing By”, of the forecast has also become synonymous with the broadcast. It was originally used before the warnings to aid captains in the tuning of their radios, so they would be able to tell when they had reached the correct frequencies. It now introduces the forecast, played after the classic phrase “and now the shipping forecast” adding to the lullaby effect. Dame Judi Dench even selected it as a ‘Desert Island Disc’ and it was played as part of the London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony.
In the 21st century, there are questions as to whether the Shipping Forecast is becoming an outdated institution – many ships are far more equipped with technology than in previous decades, and captains can receive warnings from a greater variety of sources. New equipment also gives greater pinpoint accuracy, rather than the generalisation of regions. Recent BBC plans illustrate intentions cut the updates in half, meaning there will only be two a day. This signals the gradual end to such a tradition. However, the BBC have reassured people that the forecast will not disappear completely, recognising the moments of calm that it provides. Some assert that the shipping forecast illustrates an underlying connection between the Isles and the seas – its solemnity cannot help but evoke feelings for those out amongst the waves. Britain’s maritime heritage is not as distant as many may think, and in a plethora of cases is not a proud part of history. Much of Britain’s naval supremacy is linked to its imperial power and global domination. The 150th anniversary of the forecast in 2017 provoked important conversation as to whether it represents the bygone age of Britannica ruling the waves. However, the emotions awakened by the Shipping Forecast present will not be lost and, in many circles, will continue to act “as a link across communities, a link across time”.
In a world where the feeling of and what it means to be “British” have and are rapidly changing, it begs the question as to whether antiquated traditions such as the Shipping Forecast have any relevance. However, the continuity, routine, and history that it represents make sure that it continues to be an important part of forecasting. It is a clear reminder of Britain as an island nation and our intrinsic links to the sea which have clearly stood the test of time. The shipping forecast has become much more than merely a weather update, it is a connection between isolated souls, a sense of nostalgia, and a reminder of the power of our blue planet.
The Shipping Forecast can be found online – published by the Met Office and the BBC. Or for the real experience, listen to it on BBC Radio 4 at 00:48, 05:20, 12:01, 17:54.
Bibliography
The observations of Henry Jones
The works of Nic Compton
Karen Gardiner. Why a maritime forecast is so beloved in the United Kingdom. Atlas Obscura, 26 December 2017 https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/shipping-forecast-popular-culture-united-kingdom-sleeping-nostalgia
BBC Weather. 150 years of the Shipping Forecast. BBC Weather Online, 23 August 2017 https://www.bbc.com/weather/weather-watcher/41025017
Jim Waterson. ‘A link across time’: how shipping forecast will outlast Radio 4 long wave. The Guardian, 3 June 2022 https://www.theguardian.com/media/2022/jun/03/shipping-forecast-radio-4-long-wave-broadcast
Giles Wilson. Who, what, why: Who still uses the Shipping Forecast? BBC Magazine Monitor, 31 December 2013 https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-25561529
The Week. The Shipping Forecast: is this much-loved British institution reaching the end of the road? 17 June 2022 https://theweek.com/from-the-magazine/957102/shipping-forecast-reaching-end-of-road
Featured Image Credit: “Shipping Forecast” by wirewiper is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
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