Navigation – Professional Mariner

29 Feb

Safety alert: Keyed VHF radios may block AIS reception

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsElectronics, Navigation, Safety alert, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — A very high frequency (VHF) maritime radio transmission on one’s own vessel, or even transmissions by a nearby vessel a football field’s length away (about 445 feet), may block AIS reception for the duration the radio is keyed. An analysis of the relevant standards has shown that this may impact all classes of AIS equipment regardless of how…

26 Feb

C-MAP updates marine cartography for North America

Professional Mariner StaffIndustry NewsElectronics, Navigation

(VIAREGGIO, Italy) – C-MAP, a leader in digital marine cartography and cloud-based mapping, has announced a major update to its North America charts, introducing detailed data for hundreds of lakes, improved satellite imagery, enhanced shaded relief and more. “We are thrilled to roll out this new update to our C-MAP users in North America, significantly transforming their navigation experience,” said…

01 Feb

Coast Guard proposes shipping safety fairways on Atlantic coast

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsNavigation, shipping, U.S. Coast Guard

(WASHINGTON) — On Jan. 19, the commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard released a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for a system of shipping safety fairways along the Atlantic Coast. This NPRM is posted to USCG-2019-0279 and is open for public comment through April 18. The rulemaking proposes 18 fairways providing space for safe, unobstructed vessel traffic along the Eastern…

01 Nov

Long Beach, NOAA, pilots tout new port navigation tool

Professional Mariner StaffMaritime NewsNavigation, Pilots, Ports, Tugboats and towing

(LONG BEACH, Calif.) — Imagine driving your car down a narrow road that you cannot see and your tires cannot touch. The road is made of silt and your car is hovering more than seven stories above it. This would be akin to the daily job of port pilots responsible for the safe arrivals and departures of massive cargo vessels…

25 Jul

Pilots, NOAA sign pact to enhance navigation safety

Rich MillerMaritime NewsNavigation, Pilots, safety

(WASHINGTON) — Senior leaders of the American Pilots’ Association (APA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Office of Coast Survey, have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that calls for the two parties to cooperate and share information so that they can better carryout their respective roles and responsibilities related to safe maritime navigation…

08 Jun

Vessel traffic study calls for new Pacific Coast fairways

Rich MillerMaritime NewsNavigation, shipping

(SAN FRANCISCO) — The U.S. Coast Guard has published the final report of the Pacific Coast Port Access Route Study (PAC-PARS) in the Federal Register, the first comprehensive evaluation of vessel traffic patterns in the waters off California, Oregon and Washington. The main goal of the PAC-PARS was to evaluate historic and future waterway usage to determine navigational risk and…

24 Apr

Coast Guard seeks comment on Tillamook Bay ATON

Rich MillerMaritime NewsNavigation

(SEATTLE) — U.S. Coast Guard officials are seeking public comment while conducting a waterways analysis and management system (WAMS) review of Tillamook Bay, Ore. The Coast Guard uses WAMS to validate the adequacy of the existing aids to navigation (ATON) system, as well as to get a better understanding of the uses of each waterway and general safety issues. WAMS…

24 Feb

Coast Guard seeks mariners’ input about Seattle bridge project

Rich MillerMaritime NewsNavigation, U.S. Coast Guard

(SEATTLE) — The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a public notice (PN 2-23) regarding the Washington Department of Transportation’s request to replace the Portage Bay Bridge, Bridge No. 520/3, near Lake Union. Commentary from the public related to maritime navigation is now being accepted for record. Maritime stakeholders, such as owners and operators of proximate vessels and facilities, are highly…

22 Feb

NOAA Custom Chart Version 2.0 now available to public

Rich MillerMaritime NewsLicensing and training, Navigation

(WASHINGTON) — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of Coast Survey has released NOAA Custom Chart Version 2.0, a dynamic map application, which enables users to create their own paper and PDF nautical charts derived from the official agency electronic navigational chart (NOAA ENC). The online application uses the latest official NOAA ENC data to create nautical charts with…

12 Jan

Coast Guard seeks input on discontinuing N.C. buoy

Rich MillerMaritime NewsNavigation, shipping, U.S. Coast Guard

(PORTSMOUTH, Va.) — The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking public comment and input from mariners regarding a proposal to discontinue the Beaufort Inlet Channel lighted whistle buoy that recently sank in Beaufort, N.C. Interested mariners and stakeholders are strongly encouraged to comment on the potential impacts this proposal would have on navigational safety. Feedback may be submitted electronically at CGD5waterways@uscg.mil…