NOAA is in the process of “sunsetting” or ending the production of traditional paper charts. However, even prior to traditional chart production ending, users may notice differences between paper charts and ENCs. There are two broad categories of data that are applied onto NOAA ENCs and paper / raster nautical charts – "Critical Corrections" and "Routine" data. Critical Corrections may be newly discovered shoals or other dangers to navigation, as well as changes in the positions or characteristics of aids to navigation (buoys, beacons, and lights). These are typically changes that are published by the Coast Guard in the weekly LNM. Critical corrections are applied to ENCs first, then applied to paper and raster nautical charts. These changes generally appear on both product types (raster and ENC) within a week of each other. However, new Routine source data are now ONLY applied to NOAA ENCs and not to traditional paper / raster nautical charts. Routine data includes the results of ordinary hydrographic and shoreline surveys, which could be extensive. Any specific dangers revealed during routine surveys are extracted from the data and classified as Critical Corrections to be applied to all products. For more information visit NOAA’s website: https://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/charts/farewell-to-traditional-nautical-charts.html

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is undertaking a multi-year program to end production and maintenance of its suite of over 1,000 traditional paper nautical charts and all associated raster chart products and services, including: Print-on-Demand (POD) paper nautical charts, Full-size chart PDF files, BookletChart™ PDF files, NOAA raster navigational charts (NOAA RNC®), the NOAA RNC tile service, and the online RNC viewer. Six months notice of the intent to cancel a specific chart is provided in a “Last Edition” notice. The final cancellation of a chart is made in a “Canceled” notice. Both types of notices will appear in LNM Section IV, “Chart Correction.” A comprehensive list of all canceled NOAA charts is available at: http://www.charts.noaa.gov/MCD/Dole.shtml . Traditional paper nautical chart production is ending to enable the creation and maintenance of larger scale, more up-to-date, higher quality coverage of NOAA’s electronic navigational chart (NOAA ENC®) product. This will significantly enhance the amount of charted detail available to mariners. More information about NOAA’s program to sunset traditional paper charts is on the NOAA Coast Survey website at: https://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/charts/farewell-to-traditional-nautical-charts.html . An online NOAA Custom Chart application at: https://devgis.charttools.noaa.gov/pod is available to create chart images from ENC data, which may then be printed. Notices to Mariners will not be issued for NOAA Custom Charts.

MARINE EVENT PERMIT APPLICATION PROCESS MODERNIZATION

The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center has launched a new online Marine Event Permit application process effective June 3rd. Marine event sponsors conducting regattas, marine parades, fireworks displays, swim events, or similar activities on navigable waters of the United States are encouraged to utilize the updated online submission capability. Applications should be submitted to the appropriate Captain of the Port at least 135 days prior to the scheduled event.  Marine Event Permit Application and additional information are available at: https://navcen.uscg.gov/contact/Application-For-Marine-Event-Permit

Broadcast Notices to Mariners are made by the Coast Guard through Coast Guard and Navy radio stations. These broadcast notices, which are broadcast on VHF-FM, NAVTEX, and other maritime frequencies, are navigational warnings that contain information of importance to the safety of navigation. Included are reports of deficiencies and changes to aids to navigation, the positions of ice and derelicts, and other important hydrographic information.

>> UPDATE << Broadcast Notice to Mariners (BNM) now available by E-Mail!

The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center (NAVCEN) has completed its Maritime Safety Information (MSI) project upgrade in the Pacific Northwest to offer Broadcast Notice to Mariners (BNM) to mariners via e-mail in addition to voice radio broadcasts. The online subscription service is in addition to the standard BNM broadcasts over VHF radio that previously were the only way to receive this vital navigational information. Mariners can now use the subscription service to plan for underway periods and receive updates to navigational hazards in near real time without having to wait on scheduled VHF broadcasts.

Mariners who operate in Oregon, Washington and up the Columbia and Snake Rivers system should visit the NAVCEN website and subscribe for e-mail delivery of BNMs click here. BNMs are organized by Coast Guard Sector and mariners can subscribe to one, two or all three Coast Guard Sectors within the Northwest District area:

• Sector North Bend – the southern and central Oregon coast and rivers
• Sector Columbia River – the northern Oregon coast, southern and central Washington coast, the Columbia, Snake and Willamette Rivers
• Sector Puget Sound – the northern Washington coast, Strait of Juan de Fuca, the San Juan Islands and neighboring straits, Puget Sound and Lake Washington

Additionally, NAVCEN has developed an online BNM archive that is highly filterable and available to the public. Northwest District BNMs can be viewed and downloaded from the NAVCEN database click here. For any questions regarding these new services in the Northwest District, please contact the office of Waterways Management at (206) 220-7280 or SMB-CGD-NW-LNM@uscg.mil.

Local Notices to Mariners (U.S. regional coverage) are another means by which the Coast Guard disseminates navigation information for the United States, its territories, and possessions. A Local Notice to Mariners is issued by each Coast Guard district and is used to report changes and discrepancies to aids to navigation maintained by and under the authority of the Coast Guard. Local Notices to Mariners contain other marine information such as channel depths, naval operations, regattas, etc., which may affect vessels and waterways within the jurisdiction of each Coast Guard district. Reports of channel conditions, obstructions, menaces to navigation, danger areas, new chart editions, etc., are also included in the Local Notice to Mariners. These notices are essential to all navigators for the purposes of keeping their charts, Lights Lists, Coast Pilots and other nautical publications up-to-date. These notices are published as often as required, but usually weekly. Click here to obtain a copy of the Northwest District Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) via the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center website. Vessels operating in ports and waterways in several districts will have to obtain the Local Notice to Mariners from each district in order to be fully informed.

You can also sign up to receive the Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) by E-Mail weekly at the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center website. Click here

The Special Notice to Mariners is an annual publication containing important information for the mariners transiting the waterways of the Northwest Coast Guard District. Northwest District waterways include the seacoast from the California/Oregon border to the United States/Canadian border, and all federally navigable waterways in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. Click here for a copy of the Northwest District Special Notice to Mariners (SNM).

Navigation Rules - Rule 10

Rule 10 gives guidance to vessels operating in or around Traffic Separation Schemes (TSS).

Click here for a copy of U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port Puget Sound - Marine Safety Information Bulletin No: 003-26 / Subject: Safety Guidance for Small Vessels Navigating in Puget Sound Traffic Lanes.

To read the complete Navigation Rules - Rule 10 click here.

Click here to visit the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center (NAVCEN) to find information on (GPS and Local Notice to Mariners).

For information about Notices covering the Coast Guard Northwest District (Washington and Oregon) contact the Notice to Mariners Manager.

Commander (dpw)
U.S. Coast Guard Northwest District
915 2nd Avenue, Room 3510
Seattle, WA. 98174-1067
Attn: Notice to Mariners Manager
Phone: (206) 220-7280
SMB-CGD-NW-LNM@uscg.mil

Report discrepancies with marine aids to navigation to the nearest Coast Guard Sector office!

Portland (833) 769-8724 / Seattle (206) 217-6002