First storm warning Signal was hoisted in 1880 in Kolkata port to warn the ships about impending danger from approaching storms.

First Indian vessel, S S Loyalty sailed from the Indian shores on 5th April 1919.

IMD has enlisted a cooperating fleet of Voluntary Observing Ships for collection of meteorological observations from ocean areas. The VOF at present consists of 186 ships of Indian and foreign registry.

Port Meteorological office (PMO) keep liaison with shipping companies and masters of ships at Port and provide valuable guidance for maintaining onboard meteorological instruments.

There are six Port Meteorological Offices in India which are located at Mumbai, Goa, Kochi, Chennai, Visakhapatnam and Kolkata