WATERWAYS
Serving the Waterway Users of California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah
What do we do?
The Waterways Management division (DPW) of the U.S. Coast Guard's Southwest District is responsible for the safety of 73 distinct waterways. Critical waterways undergo a review every five years, while non-critical waterways are assessed every ten years.
These waterways may feature federal and private aids to navigation (ATON). Federal aids are maintained by various units, including buoy tenders, Aid to Navigation Teams (ANTs), and Coast Guard Sectors. The DPW's responsibilities are comprehensive, extending to the research for placing aids, obtaining the necessary funds, and ensuring the aids are kept on station.
Furthermore, the division ensures the safety and security of the maritime domain by publishing Local Notices to Mariners, managing waterway impacts from space operations, conducting Waterways Analysis and Management System (WAMS) studies, and providing oversight for offshore wind projects.
SOUTHWEST District Sectors
| UNIT |
TELEPHONE |
| Sector San Francisco |
(415) 399-3417 |
| Sector San Diego |
(619) 278-7281 |
| Sector Los Angeles/ Long Beach |
(562) 980-4444 |
| Sector Humboldt Bay |
(707) 839-6100 |
Helpful Information
Mariners are encouraged to use the Local Notice to Mariners, which provides updates and changes to waterways. Specific information is required for publication in the Local Notice to Mariners.
Private Aids to Navigation (PATON) are monitored by our PATON personnel.
Bridge Management handles all the research and regulations for obtaining bridge permits in the Southwest Districts area of responsibility.
If you have any specific questions, you can refer to our list of Office Contacts concerning your area of interest.
Report a Discrepant Aid:
If you have observe an aid to navigation that is damaged, showing an improper characteristic, appears to be off station, is missing, or is in any other way not functioning as intended, immediately notify the local Coast Guard Sector Command Center.
California has four Sectors, each is responsible for a specific area within the Southwest District. They can be reached through the numbers listed above or on VHF Channel 16.