Commandant
2100 Second Street, S. W.
United States Coast Guard
Washington, DC 20593-0001
(202) 267-1450
COMDTINST 3161.2G
28 MAR 1988
COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION 3161.2G
Subj: Ocean Sounding Program
Ref: (a) Guide to Marine Observing and Reporting (DMA Pub
606)(NOTAL)
(b) Coast Guard Security Manual COMDTINST, M5500.11 (series)
1.
PURPOSE. This Instruction describes the national ocean sounding program and sets forth the
requirements for Coast Guard participation.
2.
DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. COMDTINST 3161.2F is canceled.
3.
OBJECTIVE. The national ocean sounding program provides bathymetric data to the Defense
Mapping Agency Hydrographic/Topographic Center (DMAHTC) in support of national defense
and scientific interests.
4.
BACKGROUND. DMAHTC is required by statute to provide nautical charts and marine
navigation data for use by all United States ships and for navigators in general. DMAHTC has
overall responsibility for the collection and application of bathymetric data. Since DMAHTC
does not operate ships or data collection platforms, it relies on information provided by other
governmental agencies and the merchant fleet. The Coast Guard, Navy and NOAA National
Ocean Service have specific missions which afford the opportunity to collect sounding data, and
which are in turn served by safe and accurate navigation made possible by the national ocean
sounding program.
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