Written by Bob Von Bargen

Retired US Air Force Colonel and navigator, Bob Von Bargen, shared a wonderful reminiscence of encountering Ocean Weather Stations while transiting the Atlantic Ocean in the 1950s and 1960s.

Long before satellites, radar, and the Global Positioning System, freestanding Ocean Weather Stations were critical components of global navigation. These stations, often located in remote parts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, provided essential data on weather patterns, sea conditions, and atmospheric conditions. Manned by crews from the U.S. Coast Guard and other international maritime services, these stations improved weather forecasting, supported aviation, and enhanced maritime safety.

The concept of Ocean Weather Stations originated in the early days of radio communications and trans-oceanic aviation. It was the French who first proposed a permanent ship station in the North Atlantic for weather observations, aiming to support merchant shipping and future trans-Atlantic air service.

In 1938, the loss of a Pan-American aircraft due to Weather conditions led to the Coast Guard and Weather Bureau testing upper air observations using Coast Guard cutters. These successful tests resulted in the recommendation to establish a network of weather ships in the Atlantic Ocean.

With the onset of World War II and the increase in trans-Atlantic air navigation, the need for weather reporting ships grew.

In 1940, President Roosevelt initiated the “Atlantic Weather Observation Service,” utilizing Coast Guard cutters and U.S. Weather Bureau observers.

The Atlantic Ocean Weather Stations were designated by letters (e.g., Station A, Station B) and were primarily maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard, with assistance from the Royal Navy, Canadian Navy, and other European nations. The first station, “Station A” (or “Alpha”), was established in 1940 off the coast of Greenland. These stations were typically staffed by a crew of 20 to 30 personnel who would spend up to a month at sea, enduring harsh conditions to collect and transmit vital data.

These Stations were located along key transatlantic air routes, spaced approximately 500 to 600 nautical miles apart. They provided crucial real-time weather data, including temperature, wind speed, barometric pressure, and sea state, which was then relayed to meteorological centers on land. This data was not only vital for aviation but also contributed to global weather forecasting models.

In the Pacific, Ocean Weather Stations were less numerous due to the vast expanse of the ocean and the fewer transoceanic flight routes. However, the U.S. Coast Guard operated several key Stations, particularly in the North Pacific, where weather conditions could be treacherous. These stations, like those in the Atlantic, were strategically placed to monitor weather patterns, support aviation, and provide data for forecasting tropical storms and typhoons.

During the war, various classes of ships were used as Weather Stations, including frigates, buoy tenders, converted luxury yachts, and old cargo ships. These ships provided critical weather data for military and civilian air traffic across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. After the war, the network of Weather Stations was reduced, but continued to operate in both oceans to support transoceanic flights and other maritime activities.

By the 1960s and 1970s, advancements in jet aircraft and satellite technology began to diminish the need for fixed ocean Weather Stations. The U.S. gradually reduced its operations, and by the end of 1975, all U.S. stations had been terminated, with European and Canadian stations following shortly after. The international program officially ended in 1981, although Norway continued to operate one station until 1999.

Bob Von Bargen’s reminiscence of Ocean Weather Stations reminds us of what we lose as technology advances us further from direct human contact.

On April 14, 1912 the British ocean liner Titanic struck an iceberg and sank. This initiated a chain of actions designed to make the seas safer. One of these actions was the Stationing of support ships, called Ocean Stations, along key shipping lanes.

U.S. Coast Guard cutters were assigned to international Ocean Stations as were ships from The United Kingdom, Canada, Belgium, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands. They played a vital role in providing services such as navigation assistance, Weather reporting, and search and rescue (SAR) operations.

Coastguardsmen routinely performed and excelled during severe Weather conditions. Their duty was long, lonely and hazardous. These Ocean Stations, covering vast geographic areas, were challenging, essential and lifesaving.

As an Air Force navigator during the 1960 -70’s I had an opportunity to interact with Ocean Stations. There were two Ocean Stations on the North Atlantic Tracks: Ocean Station “Charlie” was located off the coast of Labrador; and Ocean Station “Juliet” was positioned away from the Irish coast. It was staffed by the British. On the other side of the world Ocean Station “November” was located in the Pacific Ocean midway between the west coast and Hawaii.

Aircraft flying past an ocean Station were required to radio the ship and provide a position report. It was always a pleasant exchange with the Coast Guardsman on the ship. They would provide us with the location of their ship, and the range and bearing of our airplane from them. There were times, after hours of flying in Weather conditions that deprived us of enroute navigation aids, that their positioning assist was a most welcomed reference.

At the conclusion of the required communication, and if time and traffic allowed, most navigators would state: “Are there any other messages?” The coastguardsman, who were frequently on Station for an extended time, would welcome the opportunity to send a greeting to a loved one back home. We would then reach into our navigation bag and pull out a “penny postcard” and write the message. Upon landing we would find the nearest US postal box and mail the postcard. This was a simple act of kindness to express our gratitude for their help in completing our mission.