Washington D.C. – The U.S. Coast Guard is looking for input from commercial and recreational mariners for a review of navigation requirements on the Atlantic and Gulf seacoast.
The Coast Guard Waterways Analysis and Management System (WAMS) review is focused on the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico Seacoast System.
In addition to individual input, the study will also consider environmental concerns, user capabilities, available technology and resources.
The study is the first in a series of national-level reviews that are a part of the Future of Navigation initiative. The initiative’s mission is to improve service delivery for marine safety information, modernize the Coast Guard’s physical Aids-to-Navigation (ATON) system, incorporate Automatic Identification System ATON where it’s needed, and improve communication with Marine Transportation System (MTS) stakeholders.
“This study will help to bring our waterways into the 21st century,” said Commander John M. Stone, Chief of the Coast Guard’s Navigation Technology and Risk Management Division. “While ATON continues to evolve to match the capabilities and requirements of our stakeholders, our mission remains the same: enhance mariner situational awareness and improve the safety of mariners on our waterways.”
MTS waterways in the U.S. are extremely important routes that allow the continuous flow of overseas trade, support 13 million jobs, and contribute $3.2 trillion to the national economy.
Interested mariners and maritime industry representatives are welcome to give their input until May 31, 2016 at this link.
