News and Notices

District Northeast Coastal Buoy Modernization Proposal Update

The spring/summer Coastal Buoy Modernization Proposal (CBMP) received nearly 3,000 public comments enabling the Coast Guard to assess and adjust Proposed changes. We are extremely appreciative of the maritime public’s significant engagement. Detailed, specific input is a critical part of the Coast Guard’s determination steps to manage the Northeast’s 5,600 federal buoys and beacons. Physical aids to navigation will always remain a key part of the nation’s Marine Transportation System. Interested mariners are strongly encouraged to comment on this in writing, either personally or through their organization. All comments will be carefully considered and requested prior to the Comment Period end date: November 15, 2025. See the CBMP here.

Final Rule: Cybersecurity in the Marine Transportation System- Frequently Asked Questions

On January 17, 2025, the Coast Guard published a final rule, Cybersecurity in the Marine Transportation System (MTS), in the Federal Register (90 FR 6298).  This final rule became effective on July 16, 2025, for all U.S.-flagged vessels, Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) facilities, and facilities subject to Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA).

In response to questions received from affected stakeholders, and to provide information while future guidance is considered, the Coast Guard is announcing the publication of the Cybersecurity in the MTS final rule Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). These FAQs can be found on the Coast Guard Maritime Industry Cybersecurity Resource Center website. Nothing in these FAQs represent regulations themselves, but support the published regulations. If you have a question that is not reflected here, or you have questions regarding the information presented in the FAQs, please reach out to the Coast Guard at MTSCyberRule@uscg.mil.

Theft of MMSI-Programmed Devices

Petty theft of small devices (such as handheld radios) presents an issue for the proper identification of parties in distress. Theft may also occur on a larger scale, such as theft of an entire vessel, with contents (e.g., fixed VHF/DSC, AIS, ancillary handheld units) removed and used illegally or parsed out for sale illegally.

Stolen devices programmed with Mobile Maritime Service Identities (MMSIs) can create confusion for Search and Rescue forces due to ownership data not matching the physical location of the emitting device. Obviously, the loss of property is a crime.

Existence of a properly recorded MMSI also creates a unique assist to law enforcement in the recovery of said devices.

See the complete procedure here.

Costs to Establish a Database on Icebreaking Operations in the Great Lakes

The Coast Guard met the requirement of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022, to establish and maintain a database for collecting, archiving, and disseminating data regarding icebreaking operations in the Great Lakes by using enterprise information technology (IT) already in use by the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard and Industry Representatives agreed upon a plan for the Coast Guard to collect data regarding shipping delays caused by inadequate icebreaking resources utilizing existing communications (i.e., icebreaking planning calls, icebreaking assistance requests, vessel movement reports) and will be posted weekly to the Coast Guard Navigation Center website. The Memorandum for Public Distribution can be viewed here.

Maritime Security (MARSEC) Level & Port Status Updates Available on Navigation Center's Website

ATTENTION: Maritime Security (MARSEC) Level and Port Status Updates Now Available!
Find the latest Coast Guard MARSEC Level and Port Status and Port Contact Information now available on the NAVCEN website. Click the links to stay informed.

Alert: The Coast Guard has retired Homeport

The Coast Guard retired Homeport as of April 12, 2025. Moving forward, you will need to use alternate approaches for tasks typically performed through the Homeport platform. 

To protect the nation’s Maritime Transportation System, we are transferring Homeport functionality to more secure information systems. The Homeport system is facing increasing costs and system obsolescence. As a result, it is no longer a viable tool for managing the many functions required to ensure the smooth and safe flow of vessel traffic.  

“We recognize that Homeport has been a trusted tool for mariners and the broader maritime community,” said Rear Adm. Wayne Arguin, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy. “We are committed to keeping these users informed and providing alternatives to the functions and information Homeport provided as we transition.”  

The Coast Guard is establishing temporary workarounds to ensure essential services remain accessible until we can identify the best permanent approach for each function.  

The new Homeport Solutions & News website will be our primary tool for keeping you informed as new tools come online.  

You can also visit Maritime Commons, the Coast Guard’s blog for maritime professionals, and subscribe for the Maritime Commons RSS feed to receive regular e-mail updates. 

We realize that decommissioning Homeport is a significant change, and we are committed to making the transition as easy for you as possible. On behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard, thank you for your important role in building a thriving U.S. economy and your commitment to safe, secure maritime commerce. 

NAVCEN's upgraded Local Notice to Mariners & Light List application

The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center (NAVCEN) has launched its updated Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and Light List application, reaffirming our commitment to enhancing access to critical maritime safety information.

This upgraded application now allows users to download and print LNMs for entire Coast Guard Districts or define their own area of interest using the GIS tools to zoom in and access localized data.  The form section enables users to organize and sort LNMs by waterway or category. For programmatic integration, GeoJSON files are available to download for data ingestion into other applications.

We sincerely appreciate your patience and are confident this enhanced version will better serve the diverse needs of the maritime community. 

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.

Visit the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center Facebook page.

Click on this link.

U.S. Space Force Roadmap

The U.S. Space Force has released a roadmap of the GPS enterprise running through the end of FY-28.