How do you report a navigational aid failure to the Coast Guard.

[pateco]

Ran into two different issues last night.

We went for a sail out of Hillsboro Inlet in S Florida yesterday night. When we were heading out, we noticed that the Hillsboro inlet lighthouse was lit, but not turning. It was just lighting some beachfront condos south of the inlet. We decided that this would not be an issue since we knew the area well, and could find our way back to the inlet without issue.

However, when returning at the end of our trip, the inner green channel light by the jetty was out as well. As the left side of the channel is a strait shot into the inlet, I was aiming for what I thought was that inner light that marks the edge of the jetty and old pier. Luckily it was a calm clear night, and there was a full moon. As we got close in, I saw the jetty directly in front of me instead of off to the port side as I expected. I was able to turn to starboard to avoid the rocks and all was ok, but I was puzzled. What light had I been using as my guide? As we entered the inlet I determined that what I had thought was the inner green light was in fact a bunch of green LED Christmas lights wrapped around the crown of a palm tree in someone's back yard. (I should have taken a picture) With these lights used to guide boats at night, if I had been driving a faster power boat, or even my own boat on a moonless night, this could have caused a bad accident.

How would you report this, and to who?

 

[Parsons]

In the US, the Coast Guard maintains (or supervises the maintenance) of all aids to navigation (ATONs). You can contact them at the local number, on the VHF, or by filling in this handy on-line form: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=atonOutageReport

Do the world a favor (and save someone's hull or life) by reporting this so they can get someone out there.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Also post it on Active Captain.

 

[Jackdaw]

Do you keep up with your local Notices To Mariners (NTM)? The CG publishes them weekly. These outages/defects might be already known to them. And to anyone that reads the notices!

Here's yours.

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=lnmDistrict&region=7

 

[Kings Gambit]

Ran into two different issues last night.

We went for a sail out of Hillsboro Inlet in S Florida yesterday night. When we were heading out, we noticed that the Hillsboro inlet lighthouse was lit, but not turning. It was just lighting some beachfront condos south of the inlet. We decided that this would not be an issue since we knew the area well, and could find our way back to the inlet without issue.

However, when returning at the end of our trip, the inner green channel light by the jetty was out as well. As the left side of the channel is a strait shot into the inlet, I was aiming for what I thought was that inner light that marks the edge of the jetty and old pier. Luckily it was a calm clear night, and there was a full moon. As we got close in, I saw the jetty directly in front of me instead of off to the port side as I expected. I was able to turn to starboard to avoid the rocks and all was ok, but I was puzzled. What light had I been using as my guide? As we entered the inlet I determined that what I had thought was the inner green light was in fact a bunch of green LED Christmas lights wrapped around the crown of a palm tree in someone's back yard. (I should have taken a picture) With these lights used to guide boats at night, if I had been driving a faster power boat, or even my own boat on a moonless night, this could have caused a bad accident.

How would you report this, and to who?

A good pair of 7 x 50 binoculars would have helped in that situation. I routinely "survey" the entrance to an inlet or harbor using 7 x 50 binoculars when approaching or entering one at night even if there is a full moon. Without it, I can recount at least twice when I might have navigated into a seawall (or perhaps gone aground) after initially mistaking green/red traffic signal lights for channel marker lights. Of course, these days, with a chart plotter or app on a cockpit console or iPhone, one might not have the risks of making that kind of error.

 

[Anonymous 121765]

Pat,

In my Tampa Bay area when I want to call the coastguard,
I switch to VHF channel 22 (referred to a 22 alpha).
In addition, you can also go on channel 16 & hail a "PAN PAN to all vessels"
in your immediate area (give your location) & describe what problem you are reporting.

You can also hail the Coast Guard on channel 16 & they will tell you what channel to switch to.
Usually 22 alpha.

The PAN PAN warning can be very helpful to boaters unaware of the dangers.

CR

 

[David in Sandusky]

According to the Coast Guard, and other emergency responders, like MAYDAY, PAN PAN, is only to be used when your vessel is in distress, not to report a general navigation issue. Specifically, PAN PAN means that our vessel is in distress, we need assistance, but our lives are not in danger.

I have just hailed the Coast Guard on 16 to report a risk to navigation like you describe. That way, my communications do not alert an emergency response, or take priority over other communications.

 

[Anonymous 121765]

David,

That's fine if you are the one calling about a problem but,
what if you were another boat close by & unaware that there is a problem?
That's all I'm saying.

CR

 

[Jackdaw]

According to the Coast Guard, and other emergency responders, like MAYDAY, PAN PAN, is only to be used when your vessel is in distress, not to report a general navigation issue. Specifically, PAN PAN means that our vessel is in distress, we need assistance, but our lives are not in danger.

Exactly. First make sure it it not already written up in the local NTMs. If not then call, VHF, or use the internet form to report.

 

[uncledom]

I would have called "sector miami, sector miami, sector miami, this is sailing vessel (insert your boat name), on one six. When they respond tell them you would like to report an extinguished ATON. You should check if the bouy was present either with a light or by using radar. They will take you down to channel 22a and take a report or will tell you they are aware. That means they know you didn't read the weekly notice to mariners.

 

[Jackdaw]

David,

That's fine if you are the one calling about a problem but,
what if you were another boat close by & unaware that there is a problem?
That's all I'm saying.

CR

I can think of very few situations where I would or could allow the failure of a single ATON to put me in danger. As prudent mariners we are expected to use all the tools and techniques at our disposal to keep our boats safe. These things fail all the time. The Coasties document them in the NTM, and then fix them as their schedule allows.

This is NOT an emergency situation.

 

[pateco]

In the US, the Coast Guard maintains (or supervises the maintenance) of all aids to navigation (ATONs). You can contact them at the local number, on the VHF, or by filling in this handy on-line form: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=atonOutageReport

Do the world a favor (and save someone's hull or life) by reporting this so they can get someone out there.

Thanks, I reported the outage.

Do you keep up with your local Notices To Mariners (NTM)? The CG publishes them weekly. These outages/defects might be already known to them. And to anyone that reads the notices!

Here's yours.

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=lnmDistrict&region=7

Not listed in the newest one.

 

[uncledom]

They only document them once they are reported. The USCGA is usually tasked with an ATON or PATON patrol. Although we should all be aware, the timely repair depends upon all of us that comprise the boating community. So don't be hesitant to call it in, the worst that can happen is you get a "we're aware thank you. Sector xyz out."

 

[Jackdaw]

Not listed in the newest one.

Then for sure report it. It looks like they been having problems with the Inner RED #4

 

[pateco]

Then for sure report it. It looks like they been having problems with the Inner RED #4

This was the inner green, but it may not have been an actual issue with the official light. Based upon my angle of approach to the inlet, I may have mistaken the residential green Christmas lights in the palm tree as the inner green ATON. Thinking back, the fact that it was not flashing should have keyed me in sooner to my mistake.

The next time I go out, I will check the physical position of that inner green light in reference to the pier and , so that I know what it should look like, and where to look at night.

The lighthouse was definitely not working properly, so I reported that issue.

 

[Ken Cross]

According to the Coast Guard, and other emergency responders, like MAYDAY, PAN PAN, is only to be used when your vessel is in distress, not to report a general navigation issue. Specifically, PAN PAN means that our vessel is in distress, we need assistance, but our lives are not in danger.

I have just hailed the Coast Guard on 16 to report a risk to navigation like you describe. That way, my communications do not alert an emergency response, or take priority over other communications.

If you wish to notify other nearby boaters the proper call is "Sécurité, sécurité, sécurité"
This is proper and listed in the regs.
Ken

 

[shemandr]

You can have the Local Notice to Mariner's emailed to you. I get one one every Friday. While it seems like a lot to read if you do it every week you can skim through it in about 10 minutes staying alert for you local area. You would be surprised what pops up. And they have a link to report aids of navigation which aren't watching properly as well as other hazards.
Here is a link to subscribe - but I'm not sure if this is just District 1 or includes all districts:
To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
http://cgls.uscg.mil/mailman/listinfo/first-cg-dlnm
or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
first-cg-dlnm-request@cgls.uscg.mil

 

[Anonymous 121765]

I've used pan pan.....pan pan a few times but especially at nite.
In the daytime, I may use Sécurité.....Sécurité.

If boaters (especially at night) are unfamiliar with their transits or destinations, the type of callouts can make a big difference.
What if a boat is listening on channel 16. He hears a hail to the Coast Guard then hears the CG say to switch-n-answer on channel 22 alpha. If this boater does not change to 22A, he may not hear of the problem or danger.

So, if I see a problem that might have an effect on an unknowing boater, yes, I will hail Sécurité or PAN PAN.
The only real difference I see between this & Sécurité depends on if it's day or night. I hear Pan Pan in the daylight in my area occasionally but, if I hail on channel 16 & it may not be an emergency but, simply a warning of a problem, I don't care about the correct protocol as much as getting the message out. Alot of folks hearing the Coast saying to switch from 16 may not monitor channel 22a & this could cause problems. Who would you think will listen more, the boater that hears Sécurité or, the boater that hears Pan..Pan?

Other areas may be different in their approach but, if I feel fellow boaters should know, that's how I do it in my area guys.

CR

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

According to the Coast Guard, and other emergency responders, like MAYDAY, PAN PAN, is only to be used when your vessel is in distress, not to report a general navigation issue. Specifically, PAN PAN means that our vessel is in distress, we need assistance, but our lives are not in danger.

The correct term to alert other mariners to a possible local hazard to navigation is "Securite, Securite, Securite" (pronounced "SECURITAY") Y'all might find this USCG "special notice to mariners" worth reading.
http://www.uscg.mil/D1/prevention/NavInfo/navinfo/documents/C-Communications.PDF

 

[njlarry]

Thank you Peggy. Spot on again as usual
This past summer I noticed more ships using securite just to announce bridge approaches and stopping or getting under way.
Given the above situation, securite alert to other boats would have been my choice.