Frequently asked questions

How can I get Navimail ?
How can I update Navimail?
How does Navimail work?
Can I use Navimail on a Mac PC or a Linux PC?
How do I use Navimail with Inmarsat-C?
What are the Navimail service tarifs?
What are the invoicing methods?
Do I have to be a Vizada customer?
How can I pay for my Navimail orders using my prepaid Vizada card?
Can I access Navimail using my mobile phone?
How can I change my e-mail address? Can I use two?
How can I place an order for somebody else?
Does my Météo-France account allow me access to other services?
What is the advantage of compressing data?
How can I receive a weather file every day (subscribe)?
How can I receive two weather files every day?
I can't read the enclosed files.
Do you have a range or time problem on the products?
Have you received an "empty" product, i.e. nothing is displayed?
I have received the error message : account disabled or non-existent
I have received the error message "Nothing to extract (query incorrect)"?
I have received the error message "Partial extraction"?
I have received the error message "/analyser_bull/bulletin/image absent : bms_..."
I sent a query one hour ago and have still not received an answer.
I sent a query over 3 hours ago and have still not received an answer.
I have received the error message "Wrong time or query transmission time too long. Arrived on Navimail "5" hours later.
More questions?
Note : to return to the top of this page click on the title of a paragraph.

 

 How can I get Navimail?
Météo-France provides you with free software at : http://marine.meteofrance.com/marine/Navimail , you only pay if you order. See that below how it works.

 

 How can I update Navimail?
In fact, you simply replace your old version with the new one : We advise you to proceed as follows :

download the new version into a buffer directory if you wish to keep it. But you can then install it on top of your current version, for it will not affect any of the user files ("etc" and "dat" files).

 

 How does Navimail work?
Navimail works with any transmission system accepting e-mails and providing an active Internet connection : Inmarsat (all standards) , Iridium, GSM, SST, Internet, etc.
Products are ordered and delivered via e-mail or by Internet. You must use the same e-mail address for sending and receiving and it must be the address you registered when you opened your account (see below whether you need an account).
Navimail is fit for most messaging systems, although it works at best with Outlook, Netscape or Skyfile. The supplied files arrive as attached documents by mail and by direct download by Internet.
You can download the software free of charge and browse through the menus. You only have to pay for ordering Grib files. Also, before ordering them, you must think beforehand to be billed : See below how you can be billed.


Navimail orders are automatically processed and must therefore be accurately encoded : The interface is supplied free of charge by Météo-France at http://marine.meteofrance.com/marine/Navimail , you only pay if your order. This interface provides you with the estimated cost of your order.

Maps are in GRIB format (translated into mime (base64) for mails) and are generally accepted by all standards.

 

 Can I use Navimail with a Mac PC?
Yes, the viewing software is available for Windows, Mac and Linux. Use, in tghe folder Navimail2, the application navimail2 by Windows, the file navimail2 by Linux, or the file navimail2 of the folder navimail.app/Contents/MacOs by Mac.

 How does Navimail work with Inmarsat-C?
Navimail works with Inmarsat standard C.
However, since 1st July 2003, we have improved user-friendliness in terms of data receipt and use, notably by remitting your orders directly. Now, there is only Skyfile addresses used with Inmartsat-C : for more information, see, in these FAQ, what concerns Skyfile.

 

 What are the Navimail service tariffs?
The safety bulletins, observed satellite images and ground pressure charts with fronts are supplied free of charge by Météo-France, excluding transmission costs (the size of a bulletin is roughly 2 KB, and that of an image 20 KB).
Warning : Consulting weather information via e-mail should not replace careful listening to the safety weather bulletins broadcast as part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (broadcast by the French regional centres for surveillance and safety at sea in VHF and SST, and also broadcast by Navtex and by Inmarsat C).

The interface provides you with an estimation of costs for the weather products. This allows you to check the cost of your order before you send it.


 What are the invoicing methods?
There are two systems depending on your subscription :

If you use a Skyfile address, and you're billed on Postpaid mode - you're billed AFTER by receiving your bill - ,you be billed for both transmission's and meteorological costs on your satellite subscription's bill by your transmission's operator : you have nothing to do but tell Vizada you're using your satellite subscription for Navimail by Skyfile in Postpaid mode.

Contacts Vizada :

Vizada EMEA & Asia

Phone: +33 5 61 28 89 99

Fax: +33 5 61 28 89 98

Or

Vizada Americas

Phone: +1 301 838 7700

Fax: +1 301 838 7701

Email : customercare@vizada.com Web: www.vizada.com.

In any case else, including Skyfile on Prepaid mode - paying transmissions by prepaid cart and meteorological costs being billed apart - you must subscribe an account by Météo-France and credit on it before ordering Grib. Go on à https://espacepro.meteofrance.com/ . Clik on "Je m'inscris maintenant", fill up the form, for a private use, click on "Particulier", or, for a professionnal use, click "Professionnel", then click on "Valider". You'll receive a password by e-mail. With your customer number (French : Identifiant) and password, you'll be allowed to access your account and change your data if you need (change of e-mail address), or to credit on it. Your account will be automatically debited with the meteorological costs of your orders. Transmission's costs will be invoiced apart by your transmission's system provider.

Nota Bene : If you use Skyfile, you need tell Vizada you're using your satellite subscription for Navimail by Skyfile on Prepaid mode. See above how to contact Vizada.


Your account is credited by points (one point = 1/10 euro). You must buy at least 100 points (10 euros) at once.

The safety bulletins, observed satellite images and ground pressure charts with fronts are supplied free of charge by Météo-France, excluding transmission costs (the size of a bulletin is roughly 2 KB, and that of an image 20 KB).
Warning : Consulting weather information via e-mail should not replace careful listening to the safety weather bulletins broadcast as part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (broadcast by the French regional centres for surveillance and safety at sea in VHF and SST, and also broadcast by Navtex and by Inmarsat C).

As Navimail is not an official system of broadcasting security marine weather information, it can sometimes fail : Itself, or its customer's service, can temporarily be out of work or be late (if you didn't contract a specific assistance or service by Meteo-France).



Navimail orders are automatically processed and must therefore be accurately encoded : The interface is supplied free of charge by Météo-France at http://marine.meteofrance.com/marine/Navimail , you only pay if your order. This interface provides you with the estimated cost of your order.

Maps are in GRIB format (translated into mime (base64) for mails) and are generally accepted by all standards.

 

 Do I have to be a Vizada customer?
No. Navimail operates whatever your telecommunications operator, using any system accepting e-mails.
However, you must have a Météo-France account with credit in it. To do this, go to http://espacepro.meteofrance.com/ . If your account is for your own personal use, tick You are a private individual, if you open a company account, tick You are a company. Then click on the Send arrow to open the registration form. Once you have filled it in and sent it, you will receive your customer number. Using this number together with your password, you will be able to access your account in order to change it (if you change your e-mail address for example), or credit it. Your account will be automatically debited with the amount corresponding to the weather data ordered. The transmission costs will be invoiced by your telecommunications operator.

 Can I pay for my orders using my prepaid Vizada Inmarsat card?
See the two points just above about how to be invoiced and about others transmission's providers than Vizada.

 

 Can I access Navimail using my mobile phone?
Just connect your mobile phone to your PC.

 

 How can I change my address? Can I use two ?
To use Navimail, you must use the same address for ordering and receiving and this must be the address you registered when you opened your account.

If you wish to temporarily use a different address (using the PC on your boat rather than your PC at home, or because you have changed messaging system supplier), you must change your account address. Open your account at http://espacepro.meteofrance.com/ by entering your customer number and password. Once sent, the identification window disappears. You access the page with account details along with the menu to change the information. Click on Modify your account to change the current e-mail address.

If you want to use two e-mail addresses at the same time (e.g. one when you're at home and one when you're on your boat), you must open two accounts, i.e. one for each address.

To send an order from your home and receive it on a boat, you must first receive it at home and then send it on (or have it sent on automatically) to the boat.

 

 How can I order for somebody else?
To use Navimail, you must use the same address for ordering and receiving and this must be the address you registered when you opened your account.

To send an order from your home and receive it on a boat, you must first receive it at home and then send it on (or have it sent on automatically) to the boat.

 

 

 Does my Météo-France account allow me access to other services?
Yes.
You can use your account to buy all Météo-France products available online. To access all free and paying Météo-France products available online, see our marine section www.meteo.fr/marine

 

 What is the advantage of compressing data?
Compressed data are less expensive because the files are smaller and transmission times shorter. This is particularly true with Inmarsat.
"gzip and bzip2" are available with Windows.
You alone decide whether you want compressed data or not.
GRIB files are usually 40% (gzip) and 50% (bzip2) smaller. "bzip2" is thus the most cost-effective format. Note : Navimail2 can read automatically every Grib files ordered by it, including compressed files.

 

 How can I receive a weather file everyday (subscribe)?
When you place your order, use "Automation" to :

Choose the number of days if you wish to have your order every day as of the current date and for the next N-1 days.

Click on "Every day" if you wish to receive your order every day as of the current date.
To stop an Every day order (and, at the same time, all current N days and Every day orders), choose "Delete automatic orders" and send this order. This service is free.

 

 How can I receive an order twice a day?

You must place the same order twice, the 1st in the morning, and the 2nd in the afternoon. Choose the number of days (or Every day) in the menu "Automation".

To stop an automatic order (and all other orders at the same time), select "Delete automatic orders" and send this order. This service is free.

 

 I can't read the enclosed files.
The files are supplied in GRIB format, which is accepted by most messaging systems (Outlook, Netscape, etc.).
If you just have a series of incomprehensible lines, you should change your messaging system for Outlook or Netscape.

 

 You have a range or time problem on the products.
There are two possible causes :
Range calculation error : Ranges are calculated when you place your order based on the last time the digital model was run for that zone.
Hence, if you place an order for Europe on 10th at 19 : 30 local time (18 : 30 UTC in winter, 17 : 30 UTC in summer), the ranges must be calculated as of 10th at 12 UTC for "Europe".

Use Validity than Steps:

Validity J 18 means Today 18 h UTC, J+1 12 Tomorrow at 12 h UTC,

Steps, for Europe,

6 means + 6 h from 0 h UTC if you ordered between 4 h 30 UTC et 10 h 30 UTC

but + 6 h from 6 h UTC if you ordered between 10 h 30 UTC et 16 h 30 UTC.

Your PC does not have the right time : Your PC clock must be set according to the time zone where you are.

See further on for other cases.

 

 You have received an empty product, i.e. nothing is displayed.
Perhaps the chosen zone is too small compared with the spatial variability of the requested parameter and it is impossible to plot any isolines. To check this, display the wind, which is always displayed and on a point by point basis. For the other parameters, increase the size of the zone or decrease the grid length (if you can).

 

 I have received the error message : "account disabled or non-existent".
You have not been recognised by the system. There may be various causes :

You have changed your e-mail address (or entered it incorrectly somewhere) :
To use Navimail, you must use the same address for ordering and receiving and this must be the address you registered when you opened your account.

If you temporarily use another address (to use the PC on your boat instead of your home computer, or because you have changed your messaging supplier), you must change your account address. Open your account at http://espacepro.meteofrance.com/ by entering your customer number and password. Once sent, the identification window disappears. You access the page with your account details along with the menu to change the information. Click on Modify your account to change your current e-mail address.

If you want to use two e-mail addresses at the same time (e.g. one when you're at home and one when you're on your boat), you must open two accounts, i.e. one for each address.

To send an order from your home and receive it on a boat, you must first receive it at home and then send it on (or have it sent on automatically) to the boat.

Your registration did not work
:
Please go to http://espacepro.meteofrance.com/ , and enter your customer number and password. After clicking on Send, the identification window should disappear. You access the page with your account details along with the menu to change the information. If you have a problem, please contact gestionnaire@meteo.fr to have your registration checked.

You haven't used your account for a very long time (the points are valid for 3 years), and it has been closed. Please open a new account.

 

 I have received the error message "WARNING : Nothing to extract (query incorrect)".
This happens in one of three cases :
- Your order is for a zone on land. Land data are not supplied by default. If you have chosen a course and speed to arrive on land for the chosen range, you have no data.
CORRECTION : Change the speed or the course, OR click twice on Data on Earth to put Yes on screen instead of No for data on Land in the Land data box.

- Your order puts your boat outside of the geographic zone for which it was placed. For example, you placed an order for the "Europe" zone using a range corresponding to the location of your boat in the "World" zone.
CORRECTION : Change the speed or the course to stay within this zone.

- You have ordered a range that is not yet available. The number of available ranges of a model may be different depending on the times of it's updated.
CORRECTION : Ask for shorter ranges.

 

 I have received the error message "WARNING : Partial extraction".
This message is more precise than the previous one but the causes are the same : See answer just before.

 

 I have received the error message "ERROR/analyser_bull/ bulletin/image absent : bms_...".
Products are rarely undelivered, except for SWS warnings. These are "Special Weather Statements". They provide information about an often rapid deterioration in weather conditions. These safety bulletins are destined for anybody concerned (authorities, sailors, media, etc.).
As they are only accessible on order, the software sees their absence as an error.

For safety reasons, you must always order the complete regular bulletin AND the associated special SWS bulletin. For example :
bms_nord-medit-occidentale
North-West Mediterranean

Warning : Consulting weather information via e-mail should not replace careful listening to the safety weather bulletins broadcast as part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (broadcast by the French regional centres for surveillance and safety at sea in VHF and SST, and also broadcast by Navtex and by Inmarsat C).

 

 I sent a query one hour ago and I still haven't received an answer.
The response time is usually very short (several minutes).
The delay may be due to your supplier (Wanadoo, Libertysurf, Free, etc.).

 

 I sent a query over 3 hours ago and I still haven't received an answer.
Navimail does not answer queries made more than 3 hours ago. This is so that data is not out of date.
This is something that rarely happens and may be due to a system failure or problem. The best thing to do is to send a new order.

 

 I have received the error message "Time incorrect or query transmission time too long". Arrived on Navimail "5" hours later.

Refer to the previous point. If the problem is not due to the clock on your PC (the PC clock must be set for the time zone where you are), the order arrived more than 3 hours after being sent for an unknown reason.

 

 For any other questions.
For any other questions about installation, use or ordering, please contact, during French office hours only, navihelp@meteo.fr
For any other questions about your account, your e-mail address, your customer number or password, please contact, during French office hours only, gestionnaire@meteo.fr.