NSW Operations Manual Section 10.3 Marine Services for Coastal, Offshore, and High Seas

Coastal Weather Program - index
Page Navigation
15

originated with the CWD program in the late 1800's. In recent years NWR (NOAA Weather Radio) has

become the recommended dissemination mode, but CWD's still serve local needs at about 200 locations

around the country. Although of limited range and informational value, the Coast Guard and organized

boating groups strongly recommend their continuance. A high percentage of CWD's are operated by the

Coast Guard or state and local government (State Parks, Harbor Masters, etc.).

14.1

Program Management. CWD sites are supervised by the WSFO's/WSO's and

managed by Regional Headquarters under Marine and Applied Service Branch (W/OM12) cognizance.

Any action affecting CWD sites shall be noted on WS Form B-53 Marine Warning Display Station

Record by the Regional Headquarters.

14.2

Operation. The display person shall be requested to promptly raise and lower

the signals upon notification by the NWS and encouraged to receive notification via NOAA Weather

Radio. Telephone notification is the least reliable and should be considered only as a last resort.

Personnel at display sites shall be instructed to notify the supervising NWS office immediately when the

CWD becomes inoperative. An appropriate Local Notice to Mariners (LNTM) shall be issued if

displays cannot be resumed. A LNTM shall be filed for any changes in CWD operation including

establishment, disestablishment, physical relocation, inoperative or restored to operation, change in day

or night display status, etc. Local Notice to Mariners information shall be sent by the supervising NWS

office to the U.S. Coast Guard District Commander for both publication and broadcast.

Examples: FOR LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS, COASTAL WARNING DISPLAY

STATION FOR DAY DISPLAYS ONLY ALL YEAR CASINO PIER GULFPORT FLORIDA

MOVED TO GULFPORT YACHT BASIN LATITUDE 27 DEGREES 44.0 MINUTES NORTH

LONGITUDE 83 DEGREES 41.0 MINUTES WEST 17 APRIL 1985.

FOR LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS, COASTAL WARNING DISPLAY STATION FOR

DAY AND NIGHT DISPLAYS AT CITY PARK, FORT MONROE, VA., BECAME

INOPERATIVE 6 OCT 1985.

FOR LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS. COASTAL WARNING DISPLAY STATION FOR

DAY DISPLAYS ONLY AT BR NECK, MD., DISCONTINUED 10 AUG 1985.

14.3

Authority of Coast Guard to Initiate Local Small Craft Advisories.

In order to provide for a more prompt reaction to hazardous conditions that are observed, but not yet in

the forecast, qualified Coast Guard personnel may hoist small craft pennants and/or activate lights when

existing wind or wave conditions reach the criteria established for small craft advisories. This authority

is subject to the following conditions: