Robert Gotthard
DSO-NS

EIGHTH DISTRICT COASTAL REGION NAVIGATION SYSTEMS PROGRAMS  

The Navigation Systems (formerly Aids to Navigation, ATON) programs in the 8th Coastal Region covers a variety of Aids to Navigation on both the Gulf Coast and adjacent inland areas.  One of the main functions of the Auxiliary Aids to Navigation program is to verify that all aids, Federal, Private and Bridges are present in their proper location and that lights and sound signals are operating properly.  The program also covers functions that are not strictly Aids to Navigation.  The following is a brief overview of these programs.

One area common to most boaters in the Coastal Region is the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) that runs from St. Marks on the Florida Big Bend west for 1300 miles to Brownsville, Texas at the Mexican border.  This waterway passes through each Gulf Coast state and is a major avenue for freight this area.  To safely move this volume of traffic requires that the waterway be well marked by Aids to Navigation (ATON) to properly identify the channel.  Three other busy systems, the Mississippi River, the Tennessee-Tombigbee River and the Apalachicola Three Rivers system also cross the waterway.

These systems add many more aids to the Coastal Region both to mark their own channels, their crossings of the ICW and merging coastal waters.  There is also an equal distance of coastal waters that have to be marked with ATONs to identify ports, channels, passes, harbors, etc. in order to safely move the recreational and commercial boat traffic that operate on these waters, both locally and from offshore.  In addition to the Federal Aids, there are many Private Aids that have been placed in these waters to mark hazards to navigation, bridges, marinas and private channels.  Auxiliary facilities are one of the primary resources for checking and reporting discrepancies to ATONs.  You can now understand the extent and importance of the program.

In addition to Federal Waters, there are a number of inland waters that are natural waterways or dam impoundments that have ATONs provided by state or local agencies and The Corps of Engineers.  Again, Auxiliary facilities are often the only or main verifiers of these aids.

The Chart Update Program has been revised and updated to improve the accuracy of the local charts that are so important to boaters.  The new program promotes the concept that no one knows local waters better than boaters that patrol, cruise and fish on these waters frequently.  Flotillas are therefore encouraged to “adopt” a local chart and as changes on the water occur, forward the information to NOAA to be incorporated on the next edition of the chart

The above information is indicative of the importance of the Aids to Navigation and Adopt-A-Chart Programs.  While these programs have been very active and have made a vital contribution to safe boating, there is always room for improvement.  Some areas could use additional help to improve and expand their operations.