Marine Nav Data Moves to the Internet

Alameda, Calif. – The Eleventh Coast Guard District will begin posting weekly marine navigation information for the State of California on the Coast Guard Navigation Center’s website at http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/lnm/default.htm on April 1. This move is designed to improve service and reduce costs.

The Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) for California is published weekly by the Eleventh Coast Guard District Aids to Navigation office in Alameda. The LNM provides information on changes or deficiencies in maritime aids-to-navigation and navigational chart information, as well as details on advanced notice marine activities.

"By using the internet, we can provide current navigational information to California’s maritime public much more efficiently than the previous system of publishing and mailing," said Rear Adm. Kevin J. Eldridge, commander, Eleventh Coast Guard District, adding, "It also results in significant cost savings."

Merchant ships, military vessels, fishing boats, and recreational craft use this information to safely navigate along California’s coast and in California’s navigable harbors, bays, rivers and inland lakes.

"This navigational information is critical for vessels of all types to safely navigate in California’s busy ports and waterways," said Eldridge. The LNM includes information on the following items: (This list is not all inclusive)

· Changes or deficiencies in maritime aids-to-navigation – this includes buoys, lights, day-marks, ranges and lighthouses.

· Changes to navigational chart information – this includes shoaling, obstructions and changes in the navigational channel, i.e., widening or deepening.

· Details on advanced notice marine activities – this includes dredging, regattas, marine events and advanced notice safety zones. The LNM is unique in that it provides temporary navigational information not found anywhere else.