Many of us listen to the BBC Radio 4 Shipping Forecast. Seafarers or not, it is a much loved broadcast that many hear on a daily basis. Whether this be fisherman heading out to sea, commercial shipping or households using it as their morning alarm, much like myself. The BBC Radio 4 Shipping Forecast is much loved by many across the nation.
From 30 March 2020 the BBC has had to make some slight amendments to the broadcast schedule of the prestigious Shipping Forecast due to the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
On weekdays the well known 0520 broadcast on LW and FM will now commence at 0533 and will be read by the duty weather forecaster, rather than the Shipping Forecast Announcer.
The 1201 broadcast, usually broadcast on LW only, will now be read by the announcer on LW and FM.
The 1754 broadcast on LW will be dropped.
The 0048 broadcast will remain unchanged, read by the announcer on FM and LW. There is a possibility this may be changed to 0015 in time.
On weekends the early 0520 broadcast will also move to 0533. The 1201 broadcast has now ceased and the 1754 broadcast will go out on both FM and LW.
The 0048 broadcast will remain unchanged.
The BCC and the Maritime & Coastguard Agency have had to take this difficult decision due to the complicated staffing and technical challenges they are facing during these times, whilst trying to protect the Shipping Forecast as far as possible.
Sail with Joe 