News and Notices

National Navigation Safety Advisory Committee; Vacancies Application Deadline Extension

The U.S. Coast Guard is accepting applications to fill nineteen (19) vacancies on the National Navigation Safety Advisory Committee (NNAVSAC). This is a great opportunity for passionate individuals who want to make a real impact on the future of maritime navigation safety.

The application deadline for the notice published in the Federal Register 2024-19458.pdf (govinfo.gov) on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 89 FR 70196, is extended.  Applications are due on or before October 31, 2024.

The National Navigation Safety Advisory Committee is a Federal advisory committee.  The Committee was authorized on December 4, 2018, by section 601 of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018 (Pub. L. No 115-282, 132 Stat 4192), and is codified in 46 U.S.C. 15107.  The Committee operates under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, and 46 U.S.C. 15109. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Ms. Danielle Gibb, Alternate Designated Federal Officer of the National Navigation Safety Advisory Committee; telephone 206-831-0261 or e-mail at smb-basencr-cgnav-nnavsac@uscg.mil.

Federal Register link: 2024-22553.pdf (govinfo.gov)

Notice: Changes to the USCG Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and Light Lists

The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center announces upcoming changes to the Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and the Light List, as part of our efforts to modernize and improve the accessibility, accuracy, and overall user experience for mariners and other stakeholders.
What Is Changing?
1. Transition From Paper Charts: In January 2025, NOAA will discontinue the production of all paper charts. In alignment with this change, the Coast Guard will transition from using NOAA Paper Chart Numbers and Editions/Dates for disseminating Marine Safety Information (MSI) to using Official Waterway Names.
2. How You Will Access LNMs and Light Lists: The LNM and Light List data will now be available in a geospatial format, which will allow you to visualize information interactively on a map/chart. You can use your mouse wheel or the +/- buttons in the upper left portion of the screen to zoom in or out and navigate to your desired area on the map/chart. Once the area is displayed, you can generate a PDF of the LNM or Light List for that specific area, which you can then save and/or print. Alternatively, you can use a fillable form on our website to select your waterway by name from the Light List and generate the LNM or Light List.
3. LNM and Light List Data Refresh Rate: LNM data will be refreshed every fifteen minutes. Light List data will be refreshed every 24 hours. This will give you a much more up-to-date operating picture, designed to enhance your efficiency and improve safety in your area of transit or planned routes.
4. Elimination of Weekly Files: Weekly LNMs, Weekly Light List Correction Files, Daily Discrepancy Files, and the Summary of Light List Changes will no longer be published to focus on providing the most up-to-date and accessible format. In the near future, we will also publish an Application Programming Interface (API) for interested parties to access the data externally.

Why Are These Changes Being Made?
The modernization of MSI delivery is designed to improve the U.S. Coast Guard’s aid-to navigation data management and dissemination capabilities. By providing frequent updates, geospatial visualization, and digital access, we hope to achieve our goals of:
• Enhancing Maritime Safety: By delivering the most current and precise information, mariners can make better-informed decisions, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring safer navigation.
• Improving Accessibility: The shift to geospatial visualization makes it easier for all users, from commercial mariners to recreational boaters, to stay informed.
• Increasing Efficiency: The integration of LNM and Light List data into a geospatial format to simplify the gathering of safety information and facilitate easy route planning.

When Will These Changes Take Effect? The transition to the modernized LNM and Light List platform (the Navigation Center website) will be completed by Monday, September 30th.

How to Access the New Features? Starting October 21st, 2024, you will be able to access the updated Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and Light List through the NAVCEN website, with a User Guide available to assist you. While legacy versions of these products will no longer be produced or posted after October 31st, previously available versions will remain accessible for download indefinitely. Additionally, users can now generate updated LNMs in real time, with data refreshed every 15 minutes.
For any questions or assistance, please visit our Contact Us page, select 'LNMs or Light Lists' from the Subject dropdown, and submit your inquiry.
Thank you for your continued support as we work to enhance the safety and efficiency of maritime navigation.

U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center (www.navcen.uscg.gov)

Coast Guard urges preparedness for remainder of 2024 Atlantic hurricane season

MIAMI — The Coast Guard reminds mariners and residents of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to remain vigilant and prepared for the remainder of the 2024 hurricane season.  

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, with the peak occurring between mid-August and late October.  

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released an updated forecast on Aug. 8 that predicted a 90% chance for an above-normal 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.  

“The hurricane season got off to an early and violent start with Hurricane Beryl, the earliest category-5 Atlantic hurricane on record,” said NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, Ph.D. “NOAA’s update to the hurricane seasonal outlook is an important reminder that the peak of hurricane season is right around the corner, when historically the most significant impacts from hurricanes and tropical storms tend to occur.”  

It is essential for mariners and the public to take proper measures before a storm arrives. Ensure you have the proper safety equipment, have a hurricane mooring plan or a safe place to store your trailered boat, and monitor the weather and VHF-FM channel 16 prior to a voyage and while out on the water.  Read the article here.

GPS Block IIF Satellite Antenna Patterns

The Space Systems Center (SSC) of U.S. Space Force has released the Boeing Global Positioning System (GPS) Block II Follow-on (IIF) satellite antenna patterns for world-wide public use. The culmination of a multi-year, interagency effort, the NAVCEN's website is now complete with antenna patterns for all GPS satellites. You may view the antenna patterns on the GPS Technical References page here under GPS-IIF Satellites: Antenna Patterns for L1, L2 and L5.

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.