Commandant
2100 Second Street, SW
United States Coast Guard
U.S. Coast Guard
Washington, DC 20593-0001
Staff Symbol: G-NSR
COMDTINST 16478.11
SEP 27 1994
COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION 16478.11
Subj: AIDS TO NAVIGATION BATTERY TRACKING SYSTEM
Ref:
(a) Hazardous Waste Management Manual, COMDTINST M16478.1B
1.
PURPOSE. This Instruction outlines procedures for implementing a standard method of
tracking Aids to Navigation (AtoN) batteries.
2.
ACTION. Area and district commanders, group commanders and unit commanding
officers shall ensure the provisions of this Instruction are followed.
3.
DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. The procedures outlined in this Instruction will be
incorporated into the Aids to Navigation Manual - Administration, COMDTINST
M16500.7.
4.
DISCUSSION.
a.
There are approximately 15,300 lighted aids to navigation that are battery powered.
Batteries contain heavy metals and corrosive electrolyte which if released may pose
a threat to the environment. Therefore, it is illegal to dispose of batteries in other
than licensed landfills or recycling facilities as directed by reference (a). At the
present time the Coast Guard does not have a standard system to account for
batteries and cannot determine where a battery found in the environment was used
or whether its loss was accidental.
b.
The loss of aids to navigation batteries from Coast Guard aids has been the subject
of regulatory interest in a variety of locations. Due to the lack of a standard battery
tracking system, our units have been unable to adequately respond to regulatory
inquiries concerning the
Previous Page
