I read the following in this week’s USCG Local Notice to Mariners -
The Coast Guard is seeking comments regarding proposed changes to the Distribution of Scheduled Navigation Safety Messages (Broadcast Notice to Mariners) by Mobile and Internet methods.
In 2020, the Coast Guard began making broadcast notices to mariners containing locally relevant information accessible by mobile devices and the internet. Previously, the only way to obtain this information in a timely fashion was to tune in to local Coast Guard broadcasts that take place on very high frequency (VHF) marine radio two or more times per day. The new methods of information delivery have included Rich Site Summary, also known as Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds, email, and other means such as map-based filtering. The Coast Guard has received public feedback indicating that mariners prefer the real-time accessibility of mobile and internet access to this information over scheduled VHF broadcasts, because access is more timely, reliable, convenient, and customizable. Also, some mariners have reported that VHF broadcast notice to mariners are bothersome, because they are perceived as unnecessary radio clutter that can be distracting when maneuvering along a dock, in ports or other areas of congested traffic. The Coast Guard is considering phasing out the process of distributing this information by routine VHF radio broadcasts, and is seeking public comment.
Mariners are encouraged to visit the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal at Regulations.gov and search for docket number USCG-2020-0187
to view each document related to this proposed change. The direct link to the comment section for this docket is Regulations.gov.
Comments on this proposed change must be submitted on or before August 16, 2021.
I could see this either way. The notices certainly can add to radio chatter. They run on channel 22 for about 10 minutes twice daily, and specific notices are rebroadcast every hour or so with an intro on 16 each time.
On the other hand I don’t think the online-only notices would get disseminated to nearly as many boaters as the broadcasts, and there’s some risk there that people won’t know about safety messages around them. I tried the website with the “map based filtering” and wasn’t impressed. I can filter to “only” see notices in the Maryland NCR area - basically 70% of the Chesapeake.
I guess what I really want is neither of the existing solutions. I want a way to be given the information that’s relevant to me when I need it. I want to be able to say “I’m traveling from Havre de Grace to Baltimore on Friday; what notices affect my trip?”. But instead I have to choose between automatic VHF broadcasts of everything on the northern bay at 8 AM or actively seeking an online list of everything on the bay.
The Coast Guard is seeking comments regarding proposed changes to the Distribution of Scheduled Navigation Safety Messages (Broadcast Notice to Mariners) by Mobile and Internet methods.
In 2020, the Coast Guard began making broadcast notices to mariners containing locally relevant information accessible by mobile devices and the internet. Previously, the only way to obtain this information in a timely fashion was to tune in to local Coast Guard broadcasts that take place on very high frequency (VHF) marine radio two or more times per day. The new methods of information delivery have included Rich Site Summary, also known as Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds, email, and other means such as map-based filtering. The Coast Guard has received public feedback indicating that mariners prefer the real-time accessibility of mobile and internet access to this information over scheduled VHF broadcasts, because access is more timely, reliable, convenient, and customizable. Also, some mariners have reported that VHF broadcast notice to mariners are bothersome, because they are perceived as unnecessary radio clutter that can be distracting when maneuvering along a dock, in ports or other areas of congested traffic. The Coast Guard is considering phasing out the process of distributing this information by routine VHF radio broadcasts, and is seeking public comment.
Mariners are encouraged to visit the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal at Regulations.gov and search for docket number USCG-2020-0187
to view each document related to this proposed change. The direct link to the comment section for this docket is Regulations.gov.
Comments on this proposed change must be submitted on or before August 16, 2021.
I could see this either way. The notices certainly can add to radio chatter. They run on channel 22 for about 10 minutes twice daily, and specific notices are rebroadcast every hour or so with an intro on 16 each time.
On the other hand I don’t think the online-only notices would get disseminated to nearly as many boaters as the broadcasts, and there’s some risk there that people won’t know about safety messages around them. I tried the website with the “map based filtering” and wasn’t impressed. I can filter to “only” see notices in the Maryland NCR area - basically 70% of the Chesapeake.
I guess what I really want is neither of the existing solutions. I want a way to be given the information that’s relevant to me when I need it. I want to be able to say “I’m traveling from Havre de Grace to Baltimore on Friday; what notices affect my trip?”. But instead I have to choose between automatic VHF broadcasts of everything on the northern bay at 8 AM or actively seeking an online list of everything on the bay.