Weather forecast
You should always try to get a weather forecast before heading out from land, especially if going more than several miles from shore, as it is difficult to tell at a glance what winds will appear, due to large land masses, mountains and other geographical features. You can use your radio, Navtex or contact the Port Police who receive weather faxes several times a day for the area.
a. TELEPHONE
Via the phone line of the Athens Marine Meteorological Centre of the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, one can obtain a forecast directly from the forecaster on duty for the sea area that one is interested in, on a 24-hour basis, by dialing 210 9699171. General weather forecasts are obtained from a pre-recorded message of the National Telecommunications Organisation of Greece (OTE), by dialing 14944.
b. RADIO
Regular Weather and Sea Bulletins for Shipping issued by the Hellenic National Meteorological Service are broadcast by the 1st Programme of the Hellenic Radio (ERA 1) in Greek, as are special forecasts and warnings, whenever issued. The frequencies and times of broadcast are mentioned below:
HELLENIC RADIO (NATIONAL NETWORK) (ERA 1)/DAILY/(AM) 7.29 KHz, (FM) 105.8 KHz, (FM) 91.6 KHz/06:05
Weather forecasts are also broadcasted by other state, private and municipal radio stations all over the country, on the FM band, after news bulletins.
c. TELEVISION
The Hellenic National Meteorological Service forecasts are announced on TV by professional Hellenic National Meteorological Service meteorologists, as well as by TV presenters. Greek public and private channels broadcast the weather forecast for the coming day at the end of the news bulletin. In addition, some channels broadcast a special forecast for the entire week.
d. VHF/OLYMPIA RADIO
VHF channel 16 broadcasts Gale Warnings as well as regular forecasts, upon vessel request.
OLYMPIA RADIO broadcasts pre-recorded Weather and Sea bulletins in Greek and English.
e. MINISTRY OF MERCHANT MARINE RADIO
Hellenic National Meteorological Service forecasts can also be communicated to vessels via any local Port Authority, upon calling local channel 12 or channels VHF 07, 18, 19, 20 and 2, depending on the locale of navigation.
f. OLYMPIA RADIO MF (RT) VIA THE NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS ORGANISATION OF GREECE (NTO) COASTAL STATIONS.