2005 SEAFOOD HARVEST FIGURES RELEASED


2005 SEAFOOD HARVEST FIGURES RELEASED
Commercial Harvest Declines Persist


MOREHEAD CITY ĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ€šÂŹĂ…ÂĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹÂŠĂƒÂąĂąâ€šÂŹĂ…â€œ Continuing a trend that began in 1997, the stateĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂŸĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚Âąs commercial fishing harvest continues to drop, while recreational fishing remains stable, according to harvest data released by the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries.


The 2005 commercial harvest of finfish and shellfish totaled 79 million pounds, valued at $64.9 million ĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ€šÂŹĂ…ÂĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹÂŠĂƒÂąĂąâ€šÂŹĂ…â€œ North CarolinaĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂŸĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚Âąs smallest harvest on record. Data suggests other southeast states are experiencing similar declines.


Landings fluctuate for a variety of reasons ĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ€šÂŹĂ…ÂĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹÂŠĂƒÂąĂąâ€šÂŹĂ…â€œ weather, fuel prices, market demand, availability of seafood, low-cost imports, the number of people fishing and harvest restrictions. Each of these factors came into play during North CarolinaĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂŸĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚Âąs 2005 fishing year.


One reason the depressed 2005 landings was the small menhaden catch; only 13.3 million pounds of the oily industrial fish were landed at Tar Heel docks. Landings in this fishery can fluctuate widely, from the low of 13.3 million pounds, to over 300 million pounds, depending on the amount of effort the commercial industry expends. That effort was minimal in 2005 with only 15 fishing trips reported using purse seines, the principal gear used to take menhaden.


Other commercial mainstays experiencing decreased landings were blue crabs and shrimp. Blue crab harvest was at 25.6 million pounds, compared to the previous five-year average of 36 million pounds. Shrimp landings were 2.3 million pounds, down from the previous five-year average of 7.3 million pounds. Trip data show fewer crab pot and shrimp trawl fishing trips were made in 2005. The higher cost of fuel, the lower market value of shrimp due to imports, and the scarcity of crabs and shrimp, all contributed to the landings decline in these important fisheries.


The top-five species commercially harvested were:
By Value* By Pounds Landed


Blue Crabs (Hard) $20.3 million Blue Crabs (Hard) 25.4 million



Summer Flounder $7.5 million Atlantic Menhaden 13.3 million
Shrimp $4.4 million Atlantic Croaker 11.5 million
Southern Flounder $3.5 million Summer Flounder 4 million
Atlantic Croaker $3.3 million Bluefish 2.8 million
*Values are ex-vessel, which is the amount fishermen are paid for their catch.


The stateĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂŸĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚Âąs oyster harvest continues to be a highlight to the commercial sector. In 2005, watermen caught 71,479 bushels, an increase over the 69,501 bushels harvested in 2004, and well over the previous five-year average of 50,431 bushels. This modest gain in oyster harvest is most likely attributed to favorable growing conditions, including higher levels of rainfall than in previous years.


Compared to the previous five-year average, other increased commercial landings in 2005 were gag grouper, grunts, king mackerel, porgies, beeliners, red drum, swordfish and bigeye tuna.


Commercial Effort Summary:


Year Active Fishermen Pounds Harvested Fishing Trips
2000 5,031 154,229,116 259,746
2001 5,076 137,163,960 246,914
2002 4,694 160,171,058 213,513
2003 4,352 139,425,054 197,314
2004 4,255 134,102,127 185,627
2005 3,890 79,162,659 155,112


On the recreational front, the number of estimated anglers increased to 2.4 million in 2005, with most growth coming from out-of-state fishermen. Yellowfin tuna topped the charts for poundage of fish landed, followed by dolphin. There were minimal declines in the number of fishing trips and harvest compared to the previous year, which could possibly be attributed to fuel costs.


The top-five fish recreationally harvested were:
Species Pounds
Yellowfin Tuna 5.5 million
Dolphin 5.1 million
Striped Bass 2.2 million
King Mackerel 1.3 million
Bluefish 1.1 million


Recreational Effort Summary:


Year Active Anglers Pounds Harvested Fishing Trips
2000 1,921,780 22,699,280 6,460,011
2001 2,006,661 24,145,835 6,649,546
2002 1,765,205 17,879,149 5,586,122
2003 2,102,925 22,009,304 6,733,464
2004 2,055,415 24,905,130 7,024,464
2005 2,360,712 22,077,462 6,653,357
The estimated harvest from people who hold the Recreational Commercial Gear License was 517,533 pounds in 2005, with a slight decline in the number of RCGL trips from 53,518 in 2004 to 46,935 in 2005. The RCGL allows recreational fishermen to use limited amounts of commercial gear to harvest seafood for personal consumption.

The top-five species harvested by RCGL gear:
Species Pounds
Spot 193,769
Blue Crab 105,179
Flounder 58,099
Striped Mullet 36,314
Shrimp 32,542


2005 SEAFOOD HARVEST FIGURES RELEASED
Commercial Harvest Declines Persist


MOREHEAD CITY ĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ€šÂŹĂ…ÂĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹÂŠĂƒÂąĂąâ€šÂŹĂ…â€œ Continuing a trend that began in 1997, the stateĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂŸĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚Âąs commercial fishing harvest continues to drop, while recreational fishing remains stable, according to harvest data released by the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries.


The 2005 commercial harvest of finfish and shellfish totaled 79 million pounds, valued at $64.9 million ĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ€šÂŹĂ…ÂĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹÂŠĂƒÂąĂąâ€šÂŹĂ…â€œ North CarolinaĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂŸĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚Âąs smallest harvest on record. Data suggests other southeast states are experiencing similar declines.


Landings fluctuate for a variety of reasons ĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ€šÂŹĂ…ÂĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹÂŠĂƒÂąĂąâ€šÂŹĂ…â€œ weather, fuel prices, market demand, availability of seafood, low-cost imports, the number of people fishing and harvest restrictions. Each of these factors came into play during North CarolinaĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂŸĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚Âąs 2005 fishing year.


One reason the depressed 2005 landings was the small menhaden catch; only 13.3 million pounds of the oily industrial fish were landed at Tar Heel docks. Landings in this fishery can fluctuate widely, from the low of 13.3 million pounds, to over 300 million pounds, depending on the amount of effort the commercial industry expends. That effort was minimal in 2005 with only 15 fishing trips reported using purse seines, the principal gear used to take menhaden.


Other commercial mainstays experiencing decreased landings were blue crabs and shrimp. Blue crab harvest was at 25.6 million pounds, compared to the previous five-year average of 36 million pounds. Shrimp landings were 2.3 million pounds, down from the previous five-year average of 7.3 million pounds. Trip data show fewer crab pot and shrimp trawl fishing trips were made in 2005. The higher cost of fuel, the lower market value of shrimp due to imports, and the scarcity of crabs and shrimp, all contributed to the landings decline in these important fisheries.


The top-five species commercially harvested were:
By Value* By Pounds Landed


Blue Crabs (Hard) $20.3 million Blue Crabs (Hard) 25.4 million



Summer Flounder $7.5 million Atlantic Menhaden 13.3 million
Shrimp $4.4 million Atlantic Croaker 11.5 million
Southern Flounder $3.5 million Summer Flounder 4 million
Atlantic Croaker $3.3 million Bluefish 2.8 million
*Values are ex-vessel, which is the amount fishermen are paid for their catch.


The stateĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€ Ăąâ‚Źâ„ąĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂĄĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚ÂŹĂƒÆ’Ă†â€™Ăƒâ€šĂ‚ÂąĂƒÆ’Ă‚ÂąĂƒÂąĂąâ‚ŹĆĄĂ‚ÂŹĂƒâ€ŠĂ‚ÂŸĂƒÆ’Ăąâ‚ŹĆĄĂƒâ€šĂ‚Âąs oyster harvest continues to be a highlight to the commercial sector. In 2005, watermen caught 71,479 bushels, an increase over the 69,501 bushels harvested in 2004, and well over the previous five-year average of 50,431 bushels. This modest gain in oyster harvest is most likely attributed to favorable growing conditions, including higher levels of rainfall than in previous years.


Compared to the previous five-year average, other increased commercial landings in 2005 were gag grouper, grunts, king mackerel, porgies, beeliners, red drum, swordfish and bigeye tuna.


Commercial Effort Summary:


Year Active Fishermen Pounds Harvested Fishing Trips
2000 5,031 154,229,116 259,746
2001 5,076 137,163,960 246,914
2002 4,694 160,171,058 213,513
2003 4,352 139,425,054 197,314
2004 4,255 134,102,127 185,627
2005 3,890 79,162,659 155,112


On the recreational front, the number of estimated anglers increased to 2.4 million in 2005, with most growth coming from out-of-state fishermen. Yellowfin tuna topped the charts for poundage of fish landed, followed by dolphin. There were minimal declines in the number of fishing trips and harvest compared to the previous year, which could possibly be attributed to fuel costs.


The top-five fish recreationally harvested were:
Species Pounds
Yellowfin Tuna 5.5 million
Dolphin 5.1 million
Striped Bass 2.2 million
King Mackerel 1.3 million
Bluefish 1.1 million


Recreational Effort Summary:


Year Active Anglers Pounds Harvested Fishing Trips
2000 1,921,780 22,699,280 6,460,011
2001 2,006,661 24,145,835 6,649,546
2002 1,765,205 17,879,149 5,586,122
2003 2,102,925 22,009,304 6,733,464
2004 2,055,415 24,905,130 7,024,464
2005 2,360,712 22,077,462 6,653,357
The estimated harvest from people who hold the Recreational Commercial Gear License was 517,533 pounds in 2005, with a slight decline in the number of RCGL trips from 53,518 in 2004 to 46,935 in 2005. The RCGL allows recreational fishermen to use limited amounts of commercial gear to harvest seafood for personal consumption.

The top-five species harvested by RCGL gear:
Species Pounds
Spot 193,769
Blue Crab 105,179
Flounder 58,099
Striped Mullet 36,314
Shrimp 32,542

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Introducing the New NAVCEN Maritime Safety Information Application!

Dear Users of the Marine Transportation System,

We’re excited to announce the launch of the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center’s new Maritime Safety Information (MSI) Application! This enhanced platform is designed to improve your access to critical navigation safety information, including Local Notices to Mariners (LNM) and Light Lists.

Key Features of the New MSI Application:
‱ Near-Real-Time Updates: Stay informed with the latest changes and updates.
‱ GIS Display: Visualize navigation information directly on an interactive map.
‱ Customizable Searches: Narrow your searches to focus on specific waterways or regions of interest.

The application is available now and ready to support safer, more efficient maritime operations.

Access the New MSI Application:
Click HERE to explore the platform and take advantage of its features.

We’re committed to ensuring mariners have the tools and information they need to navigate safely and effectively. If you have any questions or feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

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NAVCEN’s Upgraded LNM & Light List Application Launching the Week of December 2nd

During the week of December 2nd, the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center (NAVCEN) will launch its updated Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and Light List application.  The application will feature GIS-based tools, customizable downloads, and GeoJSON integration for enhanced maritime safety information. 

The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center (NAVCEN) is excited to announce the launch of its updated Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and Light List application during the week of December 2nd, reaffirming our commitment to enhancing access to critical maritime safety information.

This upgraded application 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 will be 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.

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Notice: Changes to the USCG Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and Light Lists

Notice: Changes to the USCG Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and Light Lists
The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center announces upcoming changes to the Local Notice
to Mariners (LNM) and the Light List, as part of our efforts to modernize and improve the
accessibility, accuracy, and overall user experience for mariners and other stakeholders.

What Is Changing?

1. Transition From Paper Charts: In January 2025, NOAA will discontinue the production
of all paper charts. In alignment with this change, the Coast Guard will transition from
using NOAA Paper Chart Numbers and Editions/Dates for disseminating Marine Safety
Information (MSI) to using Official Waterway Names.

2. How You Will Access LNMs and Light Lists: The LNM and Light List data will now be
available in a geospatial format, which will allow you to visualize information interactively
on a map/chart. You can use your mouse wheel or the +/- buttons in the upper left portion
of the screen to zoom in or out and navigate to your desired area on the map/chart. Once
the area is displayed, you can generate a PDF of the LNM or Light List for that specific area,
which you can then save and/or print. Alternatively, you can use a fillable form on our
website to select your waterway by name from the Light List and generate the LNM or Light
List.

3. LNM and Light List Data Refresh Rate: LNM data will be refreshed every fifteen
minutes. Light List data will be refreshed every 24 hours. This will give you a much more up-to-
date operating picture, designed to enhance your efficiency and improve safety in your
area of transit or planned routes.

4. Elimination of Weekly Files: Weekly LNMs, Weekly Light List Correction Files, Daily
Discrepancy Files, and the Summary of Light List Changes will no longer be published to
focus on providing the most up-to-date and accessible format. In the near future, we will
also publish an Application Programming Interface (API) for interested parties to access the
data externally.

Why Are These Changes Being Made?
The modernization of MSI delivery is designed to improve the U.S. Coast Guard’s aid-to-navigation
data management and dissemination capabilities. By providing frequent
updates, geospatial visualization, and digital access, we hope to achieve our goals of:
‱ Enhancing Maritime Safety: By delivering the most current and precise information,
mariners can make better-informed decisions, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring
safer navigation.
‱ Improving Accessibility: The shift to geospatial visualization makes it easier for all users,
from commercial mariners to recreational boaters, to stay informed.
‱ Increasing Efficiency: The integration of LNM and Light List data into a geospatial format
to simplify the gathering of safety information and facilitate easy route planning.
When Will These Changes Take Effect?
The transition to the modernized LNM and Light List platform (the Navigation Center
website) will be completed by Monday, October 21st.
How to Access the New Features?
Starting October 21st, 2024, you will be able to access the updated Local Notice to
Mariners (LNM) and Light List through the NAVCEN website, with a User Guide available to
assist you. While legacy versions of these products will no longer be produced or posted
after October 31st, previously available versions will remain accessible for download
indefinitely. Additionally, users can now generate updated LNMs in real time, with data
refreshed every 15 minutes.

For any questions or assistance, please visit our Contact Us page, select ‘LNMs or Light
Lists’ from the Subject dropdown, and submit your inquiry.

Thank you for your continued support as we work to enhance the safety and efficiency of
maritime navigation.

U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center (www.navcen.uscg.gov)

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LNM/Light List Application Delay

Good Day,

Availability of the modernized Local Notices to Mariners (LNMs) and Light List (LL) application will be delayed beyond the scheduled 30 September 2024 launch date as a result of Hurricane Helene.

The following legacy products will remain available on the NAVCEN website until 31 October to ensure customers maintain uninterrupted access to MSI products during the transition:

  • Weekly Local Notices to Mariners (pdf)
  • Light Lists (pdf)
  • Daily LNM Discrepancies and Temporary Changes (XML)
  • Weekly Light List files (PDF, XML)

We are working diligently to reschedule the application’s launch and will provide an update with the new release date as soon as it becomes available. 

For questions or comments, you may contact us via our contact us page (please select “LNMs or Light Lists” from the Subject pull-down menu).

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. 

Sincerely,
Navigation Center
U.S. Coast Guard
https://www.navcen.uscg.gov

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Notice: Changes to the USCG Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and Light Lists

Notice: Changes to the USCG Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and Light Lists

The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center announces upcoming changes to the Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and the Light List, as part of our efforts to modernize and improve the accessibility, accuracy, and overall user experience for mariners and other stakeholders.

What Is Changing?

  1. Transition From Paper Charts: In January 2025, NOAA will discontinue the production of all paper charts. In alignment with this change, the Coast Guard will transition from using NOAA Paper Chart Numbers and Editions/Dates for disseminating Marine Safety Information (MSI) to using Official Waterway Names.
  2. How You Will Access LNMs and Light Lists: The LNM and Light List data will now be available in a geospatial format, which will allow you to visualize information interactively on a map/chart. You can use your mouse wheel or the +/- buttons in the upper left portion of the screen to zoom in or out and navigate to your desired area on the map/chart. Once the area is displayed, you can generate a PDF of the LNM or Light List for that specific area, which you can then save and/or print. Alternatively, you can use a fillable form on our website to select your waterway by name from the Light List and generate the LNM or Light List.
  3. LNM and Light List Data Refresh Rate: LNM data will be refreshed every fifteen minutes.  Light List data will be refreshed every 24 hours.  This will give you a much more up-to-date operating picture, designed to enhance your efficiency and improve safety in your area of transit or planned routes.
  4. Elimination of Weekly Files: Weekly LNMs, Weekly Light List Correction Files, Daily Discrepancy Files, and the Summary of Light List Changes will no longer be published to focus on providing the most up-to-date and accessible format. In the near future, we will also publish an Application Programming Interface (API) for interested parties to access the data externally.

Why Are These Changes Being Made?

The modernization of MSI delivery is designed to improve the U.S. Coast Guard’s aid-to-navigation data management and dissemination capabilities. By providing frequent updates, geospatial visualization, and digital access, we hope to achieve our goals of:

  • Enhancing Maritime Safety: By delivering the most current and precise information, mariners can make better-informed decisions, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring safer navigation.
  • Improving Accessibility: The shift to geospatial visualization makes it easier for all users, from commercial mariners to recreational boaters, to stay informed.
  • Increasing Efficiency: The integration of LNM and Light List data into a geospatial format to simplify the gathering of safety information and facilitate easy route planning.

 

 

When Will These Changes Take Effect?

The transition to the modernized LNM and Light List platform (the Navigation Center website) will be completed by Monday, September 30th.

How to Access the New Features?

Starting on September 30th, 2024, you will be able to access the updated LNM and Light List through the NAVCEN website. A User Guide will be available on the NAVCEN website. Customers will still have the ability to download legacy versions of these products until October 21st.

For any questions or assistance, please visit our Contact Us Page, select ‘LNMs or Light Lists’ from the Subject dropdown, and submit your inquiry.

Thank you for your continued support as we work to improve the safety and efficiency of maritime navigation.

U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center (www.navcen.uscg.gov)

Read More

Navigation Center Website Survey Request

We are eager to understand the primary reason for your visit to the Navigation Center website and how you use it, whether for recreational boating, professional purposes, data requests, educational reasons, or otherwise. Your feedback on the website’s ease of use, ability to find information, and if it’s your primary source for navigation-related information is crucial. We are committed to improving your experience and welcome any suggestions to enhance the site’s usability, information accessibility, and overall efficiency. Your insights are invaluable in helping us better meet your navigation needs.

 

Survey: Navigation Center Website Feedback Survey (surveymonkey.com)

 

 

 

 

U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center Website Customer Feedback Survey Privacy Notice

Authority: 14 U.S.C. §504; 14 U.S.C §505; and Executive Order 12862.

Purpose: To collect data that will be used to analyze and determine the kind and quality of services customers want and expect, as well as their satisfaction with U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center services. To maintain confidentiality, respondents are advised not to include any personally identifiable information in their responses.

Routine Uses: This survey solicits information that the Coast Guard will use to gauge feedback and improve overall customer service. DHS/ALL/PIA-069 DHS Surveys, Interviews, and Focus Groups provides coverage for this collection.

Disclosure: Furnishing this information is strictly voluntary

Read More

Navigation Center Website Survey Request

We are eager to understand the primary reason for your visit to the Navigation Center website and how you use it, whether for recreational boating, professional purposes, data requests, educational reasons, or otherwise. Your feedback on the website’s ease of use, ability to find information, and if it’s your primary source for navigation-related information is crucial. We are committed to improving your experience and welcome any suggestions to enhance the site’s usability, information accessibility, and overall efficiency. Your insights are invaluable in helping us better meet your navigation needs.

 

Survey: Navigation Center Website Feedback Survey (surveymonkey.com)

 

 

 

 

U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center Website Customer Feedback Survey Privacy Notice

Authority: 14 U.S.C. §504; 14 U.S.C §505; and Executive Order 12862.

Purpose: To collect data that will be used to analyze and determine the kind and quality of services customers want and expect, as well as their satisfaction with U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center services. To maintain confidentiality, respondents are advised not to include any personally identifiable information in their responses.

Routine Uses: This survey solicits information that the Coast Guard will use to gauge feedback and improve overall customer service. DHS/ALL/PIA-069 DHS Surveys, Interviews, and Focus Groups provides coverage for this collection.

Disclosure: Furnishing this information is strictly voluntary

Read More

Navigation Center Website Survey Request

We are eager to understand the primary reason for your visit to the Navigation Center website and how you use it, whether for recreational boating, professional purposes, data requests, educational reasons, or otherwise. Your feedback on the website’s ease of use, ability to find information, and if it’s your primary source for navigation-related information is crucial. We are committed to improving your experience and welcome any suggestions to enhance the site’s usability, information accessibility, and overall efficiency. Your insights are invaluable in helping us better meet your navigation needs.

 

Survey: Navigation Center Website Feedback Survey (surveymonkey.com)

 

 

 

 

U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center Website Customer Feedback Survey Privacy Notice

Authority: 14 U.S.C. §504; 14 U.S.C §505; and Executive Order 12862.

Purpose: To collect data that will be used to analyze and determine the kind and quality of services customers want and expect, as well as their satisfaction with U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center services. To maintain confidentiality, respondents are advised not to include any personally identifiable information in their responses.

Routine Uses: This survey solicits information that the Coast Guard will use to gauge feedback and improve overall customer service. DHS/ALL/PIA-069 DHS Surveys, Interviews, and Focus Groups provides coverage for this collection.

Disclosure: Furnishing this information is strictly voluntary

Read More

Navigation Center Website Survey Request

We are eager to understand the primary reason for your visit to the Navigation Center website and how you use it, whether for recreational boating, professional purposes, data requests, educational reasons, or otherwise. Your feedback on the website’s ease of use, ability to find information, and if it’s your primary source for navigation-related information is crucial. We are committed to improving your experience and welcome any suggestions to enhance the site’s usability, information accessibility, and overall efficiency. Your insights are invaluable in helping us better meet your navigation needs.

 

Survey: Navigation Center Website Feedback Survey (surveymonkey.com)

 

 

 

 

U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center Website Customer Feedback Survey Privacy Notice

Authority: 14 U.S.C. §504; 14 U.S.C §505; and Executive Order 12862.

Purpose: To collect data that will be used to analyze and determine the kind and quality of services customers want and expect, as well as their satisfaction with U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center services. To maintain confidentiality, respondents are advised not to include any personally identifiable information in their responses.

Routine Uses: This survey solicits information that the Coast Guard will use to gauge feedback and improve overall customer service. DHS/ALL/PIA-069 DHS Surveys, Interviews, and Focus Groups provides coverage for this collection.

Disclosure: Furnishing this information is strictly voluntary

Read More

Navigation Center Website Survey Request

We are eager to understand the primary reason for your visit to the Navigation Center website and how you use it, whether for recreational boating, professional purposes, data requests, educational reasons, or otherwise. Your feedback on the website’s ease of use, ability to find information, and if it’s your primary source for navigation-related information is crucial. We are committed to improving your experience and welcome any suggestions to enhance the site’s usability, information accessibility, and overall efficiency. Your insights are invaluable in helping us better meet your navigation needs.

 

Survey: Navigation Center Website Feedback Survey (surveymonkey.com)

 

 

 

 

U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center Website Customer Feedback Survey Privacy Notice

Authority: 14 U.S.C. §504; 14 U.S.C §505; and Executive Order 12862.

Purpose: To collect data that will be used to analyze and determine the kind and quality of services customers want and expect, as well as their satisfaction with U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center services. To maintain confidentiality, respondents are advised not to include any personally identifiable information in their responses.

Routine Uses: This survey solicits information that the Coast Guard will use to gauge feedback and improve overall customer service. DHS/ALL/PIA-069 DHS Surveys, Interviews, and Focus Groups provides coverage for this collection.

Disclosure: Furnishing this information is strictly voluntary

Read More
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