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A merica’s waterways are the economic engine that drives national prosperity. The federal effort in fa- cilitating the safe and effi cient operations of these waters must be an accelerant rather than a brake on this economic engine. To this end, the Coast Guard and our maritime partners must leverage existing and emerging technology to maximize mariner situational awareness while optimizing the balance between electronic and physical aids to navigation (ATON).

The Coast Guard’s plan to bring the nation’s waterways and in particular the United States Aids to Navigation System (USATONS) into the 21st century refl ects the notion that the

Marine Transportation System (MTS) is the economic engine of the nation and we must ensure it remains safe and effi cient.

Shared Responsibilities: Common Goals

The Coast Guard, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (US-

ACE), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminis- tration (NOAA) have a shared responsibility for maintaining navigation safety and disseminating marine information on the MTS. The Coast Guard establishes, maintains, and oper- ates the U.S. Visual Aids to Navigation System (USATONS) component of the MTS and disseminates marine safety in- formation. The USACE is responsible for establishing and maintaining navigable channels and critical navigation in- frastructure (e.g., locks and dams), including dissemination of navigation information related to waterway infrastructure.

They also provide hydrographic data for federal navigation projects and produce inland paper chart books and electronic navigation charts (IENCs). NOAA provides the National

Spatial Reference System, nautical charts, tide, water level, and current information, hydrodynamic models, conducts and outsources hydrographic surveys for areas outside federal navigation projects, and provides weather information.

Each of these agencies has established as their cornerstone the continual improvement of the accuracy and timeliness of the information services provided to the mariner. Partnerships with MTS stakeholders have always been an integral compo- nent in the improvement process.

Safety

MARINE SAFETY

Bringing America’s Waterways into the 21st Century

S

By Cmdr. Peter Niles, U.S. Coast Guard & Robert Trainor, U.S. Coast Guard 50 | Maritime Professional | 2Q 2014 50-63 Q2 MP2014.indd 50 5/16/2014 2:59:19 PM