NAVIGATION INFORMATION A Navigation Information.

1. Navigation Information is the manner in which the Coast Guard keeps mariners aware of important safety information such as changes to aids to navigation, hazards, channel depths and conditions, and corrective information for charts and publications. Navigation

information is primarily disseminated in the form of Local Notices to Mariners (LNM), Light List, and Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNM).

2. The importance of accurate and timely navigation information cannot be overstated as errors could result in vessel groundings or allisions, which could lead to serious personal injuries, environmental damage and/or extensive suits/expensive torts against the Federal government. 3. The Integrated Aids to Navigation Information System (I-ATONIS) should be utilized in

gathering, storing, maintaining, processing, and disseminating navigation information. B. Local Notice to Mariners.

1. Description.

a. The Local Notice to Mariners is the primary means for disseminating navigation safety information concerning aids to navigation, hazards to navigation, and other items of interest to mariners navigating the waters of the United States, its territories, and possessions.

b. Each District shall issue a Local Notice to Mariners each week. 2. Responsibility and Distribution.

a. Each District Commander is responsible for issuing a Local Notice to Mariners

containing information that contributes to navigation safety and maritime security within the boundaries of the District. The District Commander has broad discretion in

determining the content of safety and security information in the Local Notices to Mariners. Other important information of wider geographical application, such as changes to Traffic Separation Schemes, may also be published.

b. Individual issues of the Local Notice to Mariners are available free of charge over the Internet from the Coast Guard Navigation Center (NAVCEN) web site

d. NAVCEN’s website has a list server capability. Subscriber lists shall be captured once per year by NAVCEN on June 1. The list shall be retained for a minimum of six years at the NAVCEN and then forwarded to the Federal Record Center for the remainder of the retention period (four years).

e. Prior to publishing the Local Notice to Mariners, an electronic copy of chart corrections shall be transmitted to the National Ocean Service/NOAA to conduct a quality control review.

f. Due to their historical and legal significance, Local Notice to Mariners are considered Permanent Records. Permanent Records are those that protect Coast Guard interests and that document the accomplishments of the Coast Guard. A complete paper copy of each Local Notice to Mariners shall be retained at the District office for a period of 10 years and then forwarded to the Federal Record Center. For complete guidance on transferring the Local Notice to Mariners to the Federal Records Center, reference the Information and Life Cycle Management Manual, COMDTINST M5212.12 (series). Disregard the authorized disposition of Local Notice to Mariners in Information and Life Cycle

Management Manual, COMDTINST M5212.12 (series). Reappraisal is pending and the citation is being revised.

3. Scope. Local Notices to Mariners are primarily used to publish information concerning the establishment of, changes to, and deficiencies in aids to navigation. Local Notices to Mariners can also include, at the District Commander’s discretion, any other information pertaining to the navigational safety or maritime security of the waterways within each Coast Guard District. This information potentially includes:

a. Reports of channel conditions, obstructions, hazards to navigation, dangers, anchorages, restricted areas, regattas, and similar items.

b. Information concerning charts covering waters within District boundaries. c. Changes relating to aeronautical beacons for charting purposes.

d. Establishment, discontinuance, or relocation of any Coast Guard station with search and rescue capabilities as listed in Coast Pilots.

e. Oil, gas, mineral, and related industry information including: (1) The establishment or removal of drill rigs and vessels.

(2) The proposed construction and establishment of artificial islands, fixed structures, and sub-sea installations.

f. Information on bridges such as:

(1) Public Notices concerning proposed construction of new bridges or modifications to existing bridges. The entire Public Notice shall not be published in the Local Notices to Mariners. A brief summary of the notice and where a copy can be obtained shall be included.

(2) Available clearance after construction or when a modification is actually completed. With few exceptions, a chart correction indicating these changes should also be published. Coordination with NOAA may be necessary to obtain the proper wording and charted clearances.

(3) Changes in clearances, either permanent or temporary, of existing bridges. As stated above, with few exceptions, a chart correction indicating these changes should also be published. Coordination with NOAA may be necessary to obtain the proper wording and charted clearances.

(4) Proposed changes in drawbridge operations or regulations. (5) Deviations from published drawbridge regulations.

(6) Time and place of public hearings. 4. Special Local Notice to Mariners.

a. The Special Local Notice to Mariners cannot be generated by I-ATONIS. However, a Special Local Notice to Mariners should be compiled on an annual basis outside the I- ATONIS application. Once compiled, the Special Local Notice to Mariners should be posted on the NAVCEN website. The Special Local Notice to Mariners includes the following information:

(1) Selected paragraphs similar in scope to those appearing in National Geospatial- Intelligence Agency (NGA) Notice to Mariners No. 1.

(2) A listing of chart sales agents, particulars on how to report discrepancies in aids to navigation, the phone numbers and the assigned area of aids to navigation units, etc.

(3) A general warning concerning reliance upon aids to navigation. The general warning shall be: