Enclosure (5) to COMDTINST 3140.3D
13 JAN 1988
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COASTAL WARNING DISPLAY PROGRAM
1.
National Weather Service (NWS) Operations Manual Section 10.3, which is attached, describes
National Weather Service policy on coastal warning display stations and delegation of authority to
the Coast Guard, under certain specified conditions, to initiate small craft displays. The following
additional information is furnished to amplify the NWS instructions:
a.
Coastal warning signals shall be hoisted, changed, and taken in only upon receipt of NWS
information from the district commander or the National Weather Service except at those
units specifically authorized to initiate small craft displays. They shall be hoisted, changed
and taken in promptly at the time indicated in the message. They are not to be taken in
automatically at the end of a 24 hour period.
b.
The time of receipt of coastal warning information and the time of displaying, changing, and
taking in storm warnings shall be logged in the same manner as for aids to navigation.
c.
Any interference with the unit's capability to display coastal warning signals shall be reported
promptly to the monitoring NWS office and to the district commander.
d.
Night coastal warning signals shall not be displayed by any Coast Guard vessel.
e.
Units not specifically designated as display stations shall not display coastal warning signals.
2.
When information is received by a district commander from the monitoring NWS office or from a
designated coastal marine signal display station, either Coast Guard or civilian, that a station is
established, moved, changed from day to both day and night, or vice versa, permanently or
temporarily discontinued, resuming display after being inoperative, or changing its name, the
district commander shall issue an appropriate local Notice to Mariners and take such other action as
may be indicated.
3.
The National Weather Service will furnish to each participating Coast Guard district commander
with copy to COMDT (G-OIO), annually, a list of marine visual display stations. Upon receipt,
each district commander will arrange for a list of stations within his district to be published in the
local Notice to Mariners.
4.
Questions regarding maintenance of display poles and lights, or for supplies for this program should
be directed to the local NWS Regional office.
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