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Clear weather affording visibility for distances of 15 miles is unusual. It usually occurs just before a southeaster and then lasts not more than one day. This is the time that must be used for fixed position work, development work on offshore shoals, and for location of offshore sono-radio buoys. There is very little sunshine, so that one can practically eliminate the possibility of buoy location by inclined azimuths. A taut-wire apparatus is needed for this work and one is expected to be available next season; a gyro-compass would also be useful but installation of one in a vessel of this age might not be considered economically advisable. It is entirely possible, however, that this work can be accomplished by RAR methods, except that the close spacing of  lines and development necessary are difficult without the accurate steering which only the gyro can furnish.

The approach of a low pressure area is always indicated by exceedingly clear weather, and by the presence of cirrus clouds pointing in the direction of the low pressure area. The cloud indication is usually very reliable and frequently we have anticipated these blows even when the weather summary did not predict them because of lack of ship reports. Forms for plotting weather data are provided our vessel by the Weather Bureau, in return for cooperation in sending daily weather reports to San Francisco. These maps are for the North Pacific, 14" x 24" in size, and forecasts based on data plotted thereon have been of considerable aid in the planning of the work.

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