NWS will be collecting comments through January 11, 2018, on a proposed consolidation (i.e., reduction in the number of) and reformatting of marine Watches, Warnings, Advisories (WWA), and Statements.

This comment collection effort is a follow-up from an initial consolidation and reformatting proposal. The original Public Information Statement can be reviewed here:

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/notification/pns17-31hazsimp_marineaaa.htm

The initial survey proposed consolidation of all offshore marine wave/wind products into a single “Marine Watch,” “Marine Warning,” and “Marine Advisory.” Based on feedback from the initial comment period, only small craft advisories are being proposed for consolidation at this time. No changes have been made to the proposal for coastal product consolidation except the name of the consolidated products from “Beach” to “Surf Zone,” based on feedback from the initial survey. The overall changes proposed by the Haz Simp team are based on feedback from the results of social science research. Analyses from these efforts indicate that users are sometimes confused by the large number of hazard messages or “products” NWS currently issues. Feedback has also indicated NWS should apply a consistent product formatting approach to communicate expected hazards and associated impacts.

The survey for the proposed marine product changes is available at the following link and will remain open through January 11, 2018: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P9B25ZY

Based on feedback received, NWS may implement some or all of the proposals. A Service Change Notice with minimum 75-day lead time would be issued in advance of any operational changes.

Additional information regarding the proposed product consolidation and reformatting may be found in the Product Description Document (PDD) at the link below:

https://nws.weather.gov/products/PDD/Marine%20PDDV2.pdf

Haz Simp Website:

http://www.weather.gov/hazardsimplification/

For more information, please email:

hazsimp@noaa.gov

National Public Information Statements are online at:

http://www.weather.gov/os/notif.htm