Coast Guard Seeking Survey Participants to Improve Aids to Navigation (ATON) Policy in Shallow Draft Waterways

The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting a survey of waterway users that operate in navigable waterways less than 12 feet deep, (categorized as Shallow Draft Waterways) seeking feedback on how to improve the Aids to Navigation (ATON) system.

The survey is available online at the following link, and will remain open for comments until November 1, 2020. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ShallowWaterWAMS.

This survey is part of a broader assessment undertaken by the Coast Guard to determine the navigation needs of mariners and waterway users called a Waterways Analysis and Management System (WAMS) study. The goal of the study is focused on providing consistent policy necessary to support the management of ATON services within the Shallow Draft Waterway System.

The Coast Guard noted that this survey will not determine what individual ATON to add, keep, or remove, but to help shape policy for the next generation waterway system management and design. All ATON activities remain under the purview of the local District Commander. The assessment is part of the U.S. Coast Guard’s effort to make navigable waterways of the United States safer, more efficient and resilient. Studies have been previously conducted of the Atlantic and Pacific Seacoast Systems along with the Western Rivers (Inland Waterways) System. Future studies are planned to include the Intracoastal Waterways and Deep Draft Waterway Systems.

Questions or comments for the Coast Guard may be emailed to CGNAV@uscg.mil using the subject line: “Shallow Draft WAMS.”

Pete Hosemann
SAMS Accredited Marine Surveyor#1194
IAMI Marine Investigator #4083
Captain, Retired w 40+ yrs.
www.hosemannmarine.com