EUREKA, Calif.-United States Cellular Wireless Communications announced it implemented a new emergency phone number to allow operators of fishing vessels and other boats to report weather conditions along the Pacific Coast to the National Weather Service without compromising their preferred fishing location.
These calls, free to U.S. Cellular customers in Northern California and southern Oregon, provide critical updates on ocean conditions and effects of El Nino to the National Weather service, said U.S. Cellular. Customers dial #NWS on their cellular phones.
The service allows commercial fishing vessels to keep their position confidential and unknown to their competitors when calling in, which is not possible with traditional marine radio transmissions.
