USCG%20Auxiliary%20First%20District,%20Northern%20Region%20Aids%20to%20Navigation

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USCG AuxiliaryFirst District, Northern
RegionAids to Navigation

• Make your ATON Reports
• Make a Difference!

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CRITERIA

• CURIOSITY
• PROBLEM SOLVING
• ACCURACY
• PERSISTENCE

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Observe as if a Stranger.

• Pretend you have never been on this shore before.
• Look at things from different locations.
• Note what most impresses you or is unique to the
  area.
• Look for changes in the skyline and check them
  out from seaward.

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Be very Curious!

• What do you see that makes sense?
• Could you navigate with the data shown on the
  charts and Coast Pilot?
• Does the Light List agree with what you observe?

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Document what is Important!

• The person who will read your report has never
  seen the area.
• Imagine this person without your vast knowledge
  and report clearly and totally.
• Never assume local knowledge.

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Document as for a Stranger!

• Be explicit!
• Include tide, currents, Lat/Lon, depths,
  chartlets, graphs, drawings, photographs.
• Tell a complete story in a few words.

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Check Local Knowledge

• What landmarks do the locals use when fishing or
  lobstering?
• Are there any unreported rips and rocks?
• Are there better small craft channel used by
  locals?

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Document your Documents

• Include
• Engineering drawings.
• Site plans.
• Building plans
• Anything signed by a registered engineer is
  desirable.

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• Include
  
• Heights and footprints of buildings.
• Chartlets, photos, and written descriptions.
• Chart number, Edition, and Date.
• Latitude and Longitude.

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• Note the date and time of every event and
  verification that you perform.
• In your photos, try to include a charted object
  in the background as a reference point.
• Reference the reference point to a specific chart
  or other nautical document.

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Different Agencies have different
responsibilities

• Sent a separate report for each agency or
  publication involved. i.e.... One for the chart
  people and one for the Coast Pilot people.

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Agencies

• NOAA - Publishes nautical charts and the Coast
  Pilot.
• US Army Corps of Engineers - Does specifications
  and reports on navigable waters.
• DOD - Defense Mapping Agency - Publishes nautical
  charts and Weekly Notice to mariners.
• U.S. Coast Guard - Publishes the Light List, LNM,
  and the NAV Rules.

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PERSISTENCE

• NOAA is chiefly concerned with Seamarks.
  Landmarks are less important to large vessels.
• However, if a landmark is important to the local
  mariner and not recognized, be persistent.

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ACCURACY

• Only report when you can document an item beyond
  a reasonable doubt.
• Insure that all your supporting documentation are
  detailed and accurate as possible.
• Know the standards of accuracy expected by the
  agency.
• Document how you took measurements and the tools
  that you used.

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Lives over Accuracy

• Saving lives and property is our business. Use
  this criteria
• Can a vessel go aground?
• Will a vessel hit a rock?
• Could a vessel miss the entrance?
• Are there shore facilities that could provide a
  rescue platform but are not charted or listed?

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More Criteria

• Possible danger to navigation?
• Information is misleading?
• New information is more useful?
• Navigation information?
• Data is incomplete?

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Where to Look!

• From Seaward toward the shore. . .
• Most boating accidents happen near shore,
  especially a lee shore.
• Are groins changing the currents or being covered
  by high tides?
• Is there new shoaling near marked channels or
  under or near bridges?

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• From the Shore
• Demolished buildings or new construction?
• Sight lines?
• Are entrance jetties being covered at high water?

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Sources of Information

• Local Knowledge.
• Harbormasters.
• Commercial fishermen.
• Marina managers.
• Dock hands.
• Newspaper items.
• Legal notices

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Other Sources

• MEPA Environmental Monitor
• US Army Corps of Engineers.
• FCC
• FAA
• Building permits.
• Con COMM hearings.

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Tools of the Trade

• Binoculars.
• Lead line.
• Hand-bearing compass.
• Nautical charts.
• Cruising Guides.
• Coast Pilot.
• Light List.

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More Tools

• Road maps.
• Camera.
• Note book.
• Dividers.
• Plotter
• Pencil and pen.
• GPS set

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Reporting

• CG 5474 and 77-5 reports are on the National Web
  Site.
• Reports can be prepared on the computer and
  printed locally.
• Have an ATON KIT aboard for reference on how to
  prepare and forward reports.

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The ATON Program offers

• Adopt A Chart Program.
• Federal ATON Verifications.
• Private ATON Verifications.
• Bridge Check Reporting Program.
• Small Craft Facility Reporting.

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A Year Round Program

• Offers a challenge for the the boater and
  non-boater alike.
• Provides stimulating work.
• Initiates immediate results and response.
• JOIN THE AUXILIARY ATON TEAM
• Call your FSO-AN today!