Local Notice to Mariners - Update

Don't you just love technological advancements? Each week I am able to e-mail this column to the publications in which it appears. It usually works out astonishingly well . . . . did I say “usually?” Well, a few weeks ago, my message did not get through to everyone. At least one publication reprinted an old column rather than print nothing at all.

As it turned out, the info in the reprinted column was not current. It involved Local Notices to Mariners, which at one time were sent to mariners through the postal service. That system changed and those notices are now posted on the Internet and are no longer available through the mail. That change was made over a year ago.

First, lets talk about what we mean by a the term "Local Notices to Mariners." Local Notices to Mariners (LNM) are published monthly and include a supplement that is published weekly. This amounts to a weekly publication. Some of the information in the LNM involves permanent changes, such as the movement of a buoy or dayboard, or the addition of a new light. 

Local Notices to Mariners also involve temporary issues, such as a light structure being demolished by a vessel, or damage to an aid to navigation (buoy, dayboard, etc.) by a storm. The weekly publication schedule keeps mariners abreast of temporary issues. Problems are listed when such discrepancies are discovered, and a notation is also made when those problems are resolved.

Other things in the Local Notices to Mariners include the schedules for dredging operations and construction projects along or in our waterways. They may include anything else that is of concern to mariners, or that may present an impediment to navigation.

Some items in the LNM should be used to update your navigation charts. Permanent changes will eventually show up on the next chart publication for the area. In the mean time, you can keep track of such changes by notations on your existing charts. It is also wise to print the notices out and keep them onboard as a reference for additional detail.

The revision date on your navigation chart is an indication of how current it is. All information in the Local Notices to Mariners up to a chart's revision date is included on that chart. You can discard old LNM up to the date of your new chart and start accumulating them from the chart revision date forward.

Over a year ago the Coast Guard decided not to mail the “printed” copy of the Local Notices to Mariners any longer. The LNMs are on the Internet and can be viewed or printed out from there. They will also e-mail them to you as they are posted to the Internet.

For information on the e-mail LNM Subscription Service, go to www.navcen.uscg.gov/lnm/listserver.htm (you can sign up there too). LNMs will be e-mailed to you automatically as new information is posted.

In late August of 2005, the system will change from a monthly notice with weekly supplements to a weekly notice. The weekly notices will include the full detail that is currently in the monthly notices. So get yourself signed up! It's a great way to keep current. You'll be glad you did!

Until next time, I wish you clear skies, fair winds, and calm seas!