Encl (2) to COMDTINST 16010.8
Why We Act
Over 2 billion tons of domestic and foreign commerce is transported through U.S ports
and waterways every year. The Coast Guard's Navigation Programs (Short Range Aids to
Navigation and Radio Navigation Aids) promote the efficient movement of marine users and
commerce on the navigable waters of the United States to support national defense,
economic, scientific, environmental, and social needs. The programs are concerned with
operation of sound, visual and electronic signals to mark safe water or warn of dangers.
Key Factors
Navigation aids can be moved out of position or rendered unusable by natural currents
and shifts in the waterway bottom, and vessel allisions. Severe weather conditions such
as hurricanes or river flooding can degrade an entire aid to navigation system in a
particular area, greatly impacting waterway mobility.
Strategies
The Coast Guard operates a fleet of buoy tenders to maintain the more than 50,000
federal aids to navigation. We use various evaluation tools and models to prioritize
aid to navigation discrepancies and improvements in order to optimally maintain the
system. We develop and operate radionavigation systems such as LORAN-C and the
Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) to provide mariners with highly accurate,
continuous, navigation capabilities. We develop and apply new technology to make the
system more efficient and effective.
The Coast Guard, along with the Maritime Administration and other federal agencies has
developed the Marine Transportation System - an inter-agency initiative focused on the
marine portion of the national transportation system. The objective of this effort is to
support a world-class waterways system that improves our global competitiveness and
national security. Marine transportation is now characterized by many diverse
organizations engaged in a complex environment, often working independently and for the
accomplishment of different goals. This initiative will address the future needs of the
nation by improving the coordination and cooperation among all stakeholders and will
assist agencies in establishing constructive priorities and in drafting legislation that
supports the outcome of this effort. We also must be ready to protect our ports and
navigation systems as part of the nation's critical infrastructure.
Coordination
The Coast Guard works closely with the Army Corps of Engineers to provide effective
navigation aids for channel dredging and infrastructure projects. The Coast Guard also
coordinates with the Maritime Administration on shoreside infrastructure projects
through venues such as Interagency Committee for Waterways Management.
To ensure radionavigation systems provide maximum transportation benefits, the Coast
Guard works with the Federal Aviation Administration and Federal Railroad Administration
to determine future needs for LORAN-C and the Nationwide DGPS. The Coast Guard is also
working with a spectrum of agencies to develop the Federal Radionavigation Plan for the
effective management of all federal radionavigation systems.
28 Mobility
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