News and Notices

U.S. Coast Guard Proposes Changes to Aids to Navigation in the Northeast

BOSTON – The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking public input on proposed aids to navigation (AtoN) changes in the northeast. The complete article can be read here.
 
The Coast Guard is proposing to discontinue some buoys as one of several efforts to advance a modern approach to physical aids to navigation. The current buoy constellation predates global navigation satellite systems, electronic navigation charts and electronic charting systems (ECS), which are widely used by today’s mariners. 

The Coast Guard is strongly requesting mariners to give feedback before June 13, 2025. When providing feedback, include the size and type of your vessel, how you use the buoys to navigate and the distance at which you start looking for and using it. Responses are only accepted by email at D01-SMB-DPWPublicComments@uscg.mil. 
 
The proposed buoy constellation summary can be found at www.bit.ly/D1Buoy. 

Maritime Security (MARSEC) Level & Port Status Updates Available on Navigation Center's Website

ATTENTION: Maritime Security (MARSEC) Level and Port Status Updates Now Available!
Find the latest Coast Guard MARSEC Level and Port Status and Port Contact Information now available on the NAVCEN website. Click the links to stay informed.

Alert: The Coast Guard has retired Homeport

The Coast Guard retired Homeport as of April 12, 2025. Moving forward, you will need to use alternate approaches for tasks typically performed through the Homeport platform. 

To protect the nation’s Maritime Transportation System, we are transferring Homeport functionality to more secure information systems. The Homeport system is facing increasing costs and system obsolescence. As a result, it is no longer a viable tool for managing the many functions required to ensure the smooth and safe flow of vessel traffic.  

“We recognize that Homeport has been a trusted tool for mariners and the broader maritime community,” said Rear Adm. Wayne Arguin, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy. “We are committed to keeping these users informed and providing alternatives to the functions and information Homeport provided as we transition.”  

The Coast Guard is establishing temporary workarounds to ensure essential services remain accessible until we can identify the best permanent approach for each function.  

The new Homeport Solutions & News website will be our primary tool for keeping you informed as new tools come online.  

You can also visit Maritime Commons, the Coast Guard’s blog for maritime professionals, and subscribe for the Maritime Commons RSS feed to receive regular e-mail updates. 

We realize that decommissioning Homeport is a significant change, and we are committed to making the transition as easy for you as possible. On behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard, thank you for your important role in building a thriving U.S. economy and your commitment to safe, secure maritime commerce. 

NAVCEN's upgraded Local Notice to Mariners & Light List application

The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center (NAVCEN) has launched its updated Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and Light List application, reaffirming our commitment to enhancing access to critical maritime safety information.

This upgraded application now allows users to download and print LNMs for entire Coast Guard Districts or define their own area of interest using the GIS tools to zoom in and access localized data.  The form section enables users to organize and sort LNMs by waterway or category. For programmatic integration, GeoJSON files are available to download for data ingestion into other applications.

We sincerely appreciate your patience and are confident this enhanced version will better serve the diverse needs of the maritime community. 

Reducing Vessel Strikes of Atlantic Right Whales

Click on the hyperlinks to view the 2005 and 2007 PARS Reports for Reducing Vessel Strikes of Atlantic Right Whales.

Visit the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center Facebook page.

Click on this link.

U.S. Space Force Roadmap

The U.S. Space Force has released a roadmap of the GPS enterprise running through the end of FY-28.