US Coast Guard seeks comments on closing NAVTEX broadcasts (comments close 12 NOV)

Feb 17, 2006
5,274
Lancer 27PS MCB Camp Pendleton KF6BL
Cut and paste from SSCF (Seven Seas Cursing Forums) Marine Electronics. Posted by joehersey

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In todays Federal Register:

Coast Guard
[Docket No. USCG–2019–0702]
Proposed Termination of U.S. Coast Guard Medium Frequency (MF) Broadcast of Navigational Telex (NAVTEX) and Shift to Satellite
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Coast Guard may cease broadcasting Navigational Telex (NAVTEX) over Medium Frequency (MF) after first ensuring the information contained in NAVTEX broadcasts is available via International Maritime Organization (IMO) recognized satellite services. This notice requests public comment on the possibility of terminating the MF NAVTEX broadcast.

DATES: Comments must be submitted to the online docket via http:// www.regulations.gov, on or before November 12, 2019.


See https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/...2019-19675.pdf
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USCG NAVTEX info is posted here: NAVTEX Maritime Safety Broadcasts

NWS NAVTEX info is posted here: NAVTEX

Coast Guard NAVTEX transmitters are at the end of their useful life and they don't have the funds to replace them, nor are they likely to get those funds.

USCG plans to shift broadcasts to existing Inmarsat-C and forthcoming FleetSafety SafetyNET satellite service, and to Iridium's forthcoming FleetCast service, both recognized by the International Maritime Organization's Global Maritime Distress & Safety System. Presumably the National Weather Service will do the same. Since IMO-regulated shipping should already have these equipment, they should not be affected. However FCC-regulated small passenger vessels (FCC Subpart S) that travel outside 100 nm are also required to have NAVTEX and are also affected. Other small vessels are known to use use NAVTEX as well.

The USCG has no idea how many of these others are affected and is therefore seeking comments.

Comments can be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http:// www.regulations.gov, noting Docket No. USCG–2019–0702.

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