Shipping Forecast
![Map of Sea Areas and Coastal Weather Stations referred to in the Shipping Forecast.](/Images/godic/202502/10/UK_shipping_forecast_zones2850.png")
![Icing can be a dangerous problem for ships; accurate forecasting can save lives by ensuring crews are prepared](/Images/godic/202502/10/Iced_ship2850.jpg")
The Shipping Forecast is a BBC Radio broadcast of weather reports and forecasts for the seas around the coasts of the British Isles. It is produced by the Met Office and broadcast by BBC Radio 4 on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The forecasts sent over the Navtex system use a similar format and the same sea areas. The waters around the British Isles are divided into 31 sea areas, also known as weather areas (see map below) There are four broadcasts per day at the following (UK local) times: