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News and Notices

Commandant delivers the 2024 State of the Coast Guard Address

The Commandant, Adm. Linda Fagan, focused on operations, the workforce, and the future as she delivered her 2nd State of the Coast Guard address to Congress last night. You can view it on YouTube or Vimeo.  You can view the article here.

Friday, March 22, 2024
PAWSA workshop at U.S. Coast Guard Station Tybee Island in Savannah, Georgia.

Last week, the Waterways Risk Assessment and Support Division of NAVCEN conducted a two-day Ports and Waterways Safety Assessment (PAWSA) workshop at the U.S. Coast Guard Station Tybee Island in Savannah, Georgia. This workshop, led by experienced NAVCEN facilitators, engaged local waterway users and maritime industry partners in an in-depth analysis of 16 risk factors integral to the PAWSA framework. The discussions reviewed waterway risks and examined potential mitigations, with a primary focus on fostering stronger collaborations between the public and private sectors. Such partnerships are important for recognizing and addressing waterway trends, safety hazards, and devising potential mitigation strategies, ultimately enhancing the Marine Transportation System (MTS). The insights and stakeholder contributions from the PAWSA workshop will be compiled into a comprehensive report, which will inform and support future waterways management and planning activities.

Thursday, March 21, 2024
PAWSA stakeholder engagements hosted by Coast Guard Sector San Juan and Sector North Carolina.

Last week, members of NAVCEN’s Waterways Risk Assessment and Support Division facilitated Ports and Waterways Safety Assessment (PAWSA) stakeholder engagements hosted by Coast Guard Sector San Juan and Sector North Carolina. The objectives of a successful stakeholder engagement are to introduce the scope and format of a PAWSA, assist in identifying informed participants for the two-day workshop, and survey the participants’ top issues that impact safety within their waterway.

The facilitation team will return to guide waterway users and maritime partners though the two-day PAWSA workshop in San Juan, PR April 24-25th and Wilmington, NC June 11-12th. Each workshop will culminate in a written report capturing stakeholder input pertaining to waterway risk factors and associated mitigations. The report will then be publicly released to the NAVCEN website.

Thursday, March 7, 2024
New Merchant Mariner Credential

The U.S. Coast Guard announced a new merchant mariner credential (MMC) set to launch on March 1, 2024. This milestone marks the first comprehensive revision of the mariner credential in nearly a decade and is strategically designed to enhance both quality of service and security within the Marine Transportation System (MTS). U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) 01-24, New Merchant Mariner Credential Passport Booklet Replacement, has been posted on the DCO’s MSIB Site and announced at the National Maritime Center (CG-NMC) Home Page (uscg.mil). Please visit these resources for more information on the credential.

 

Monday, February 26, 2024
Coast Guard Sector Name Changes in Great Lakes Region

Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie is undergoing a significant change, adopting a new name effective December 1. It will be known as the Sector of the Northern Great Lakes, a move that reflects a broader emphasis on the entirety of its area of responsibility. This renaming aligns with a similar change for the Coast Guard Sector Buffalo, which will become Sector Eastern Great Lakes. Rear Admiral Jon Hickey, Commander of the Ninth Coast Guard District, explained that these changes aim to more accurately represent the scope of responsibilities and the maritime community they serve in the Great Lakes region. This initiative is part of an effort to enhance communication and clarity with the American public and maritime stakeholders about the roles and areas covered by their regional Coast Guard commands.

Friday, December 1, 2023
Updated Marine Radio Inspection Regulations for Great Lakes Vessels

The Federal Communications Commission released an Order to ensure the continued safety of vessels navigating the Great Lakes consequential to the termination on 2 November 2023 of the Agreement Between Canada and the United States for the Promotion of Safety on the Great Lakes by Means of Radio, U.S.- Canada.  As stated in the Order, the FCC amended the rule requiring inspection of the radiotelephone installation at least once every 13 months by extending the time period to once every 48 months.  The Ninth Coast Guard District subsequently released a Marine Safety Information Bulletin Updated Marine Radio Inspection Regulations for Great Lakes Vessels to provide notice of updated regulations.

Friday, November 3, 2023
Maritime Mobile Service Identity content upgrade

The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center (NAVCEN) has upgraded the Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) section of its website. The new MMSI section includes a more user-friendly interface, as well as additional information about MMSIs and their application to maritime safety. The upgrade is part of NAVCEN's ongoing effort to provide the maritime community with the latest information and resources to help keep mariners safe.  The section may be viewed here: Maritime Mobile Service Identity | Navigation Center (uscg.gov).

Thursday, June 8, 2023
GPS Block IIF Satellite Antenna Patterns

The Space Systems Center (SSC) of U.S. Space Force has released the Boeing Global Positioning System (GPS) Block II Follow-on (IIF) satellite antenna patterns for world-wide public use. The culmination of a multi-year, interagency effort, the NAVCEN's website is now complete with antenna patterns for all GPS satellites. You may view the antenna patterns on the GPS Technical References page here under GPS-IIF Satellites: Antenna Patterns for L1, L2 and L5.

Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Reporting Sexual Misconduct on U.S. Vessels

The Coast Guard has released an updated Marine Safety Information Bulletin and infographic with guidance on reporting sexual misconduct on U.S. vessels. View the MSIB (PDF).

Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Reducing Vessel Strikes of Atlantic Right Whales

Click on the hyperlinks to view the 2005 and 2007 PARS Reports for Reducing Vessel Strikes of Atlantic Right Whales.

Thursday, March 9, 2023