COMDTINST 16575.1
AUG 24 1999
b.
Particularly important to the Coast Guard is the potential impact on "safety of life" in the
harbor entrance and approach phase of maritime navigation. The Coast Guard installed
and operates the Maritime Differential GPS (DGPS) Service to meet this safety
requirement. The DOT's designated point of contact for GPS-band test approval is the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). An Information Dissemination Coordination
Team (IDCT), comprised of representatives from all agencies involved in the approval
process, implements the DOD/DOT relationship that is formalized in Annex 3 to reference
(b). The GPS Interference Test Approval (GITA) process was developed to facilitate test
approval within the framework of Annex 3.
c.
The Coast Guard will receive notification of proposed testing from the FAA, and will
analyze the impact on the maritime community. The FAA and the Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA) will determine the impact on the aviation community and land
transportation interests respectively, and will perform their own impact analysis.
5.
GENERAL POLICY.
a.
It should be understood that testing affecting GPS is necessary for national security
interests. The goal is to create an environment of cooperation among various DOD and
DOT agencies involved in GPS interference testing, such that a balance is achieved
between the requirements of civil transportation safety and national security interests.
Reasonable efforts should be made to avoid denial of necessary testing, while at the same
time avoid placing mariners using DGPS in a hazardous environment created by such
testing.
b.
Ideally, testing would be conducted in such a manner that the mariner would not be
affected. In most cases, however, a compromise may be achievable and should be sought
so that the goals of the interference testing can be met, and the effect on navigable
waterways kept to a minimum. Every effort will be made to negotiate with the testing
agency or frequency management authority to develop a test scenario that is acceptable to
both DOD and the Coast Guard. Where interference to GPS/DGPS over a waterway
cannot be eliminated, a Notice to Mariners will be issued as appropriate to advise mariners.
c.
In the few instances in which a negotiated agreement on test parameters cannot be reached,
and NAVCEN recommends disapproval based upon perceived threats to maritime safety,
the matter will be referred to Commandant (G-OP) for final determination.
6.
ORGANIZATION. This instruction is concerned primarily with Coast Guard and FAA
coordination. It will be updated to include coordination with FRA as Nationwide Differential
GPS (NDGPS) reaches Full Operational Capability and land transportation interests become
more fully developed.
7.
RESPONSIBILITIES/AUTHORITY. Primary responsibility within the Coast Guard for
processing GPS interference test requests lies with NAVCEN. NAVCEN will establish
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