Methods of obtaining weather data in real time

Small craft owners who have access to a personal computer now have several methods of obtaining real-time meteorological data before venturing out to sea. These data include high quality NDBC (National Data Buoy Center) buoy and coastal marine observations, cooperative ship observations, coastal marine forecasts, wind forecasts for coastal marine locations, and graphical weather maps. These observations and forecasts are typically not available on a timely and continuous basis by radio or television. They are available by dialing into a variety of online meteorological databases or receiving the data directly from a commercial satellite. Strengths and weaknesses of these methods are discussed