Coast Survey Biweekly Newsletter

The Precision Marine Navigation (PMN) team hosted a series of virtual briefings which started with NOAA leadership and has now progressed to include leadership from Navy, the Maritime Administration (MARAD), and will eventually include the U.S. Coast Guard. The team explained what the Precision Marine Navigation program does, and then demonstrated a prototype of the new processing and dissemination system. These briefings provide an important opportunity for the team to connect with other agencies and identify areas of potential partnership. Finally, the PMN team also announced this week that test surface current forecast data that has been reformatted into the international S-111 standard is now available for industry partners to begin downloading and testing in navigation software systems. To learn more about the data release, check out our recent blog story. For more information contact: Christine.Burns@noaa.gov

Congratulations to Lt. Cmdr. Bart Buesseler (Alaska navigation manager) who was awarded the NOAA Corps Achievement Medal for his service as the officer in charge (OIC) of NOAA Ship Rainier's Hawaii shore party last year. His service to this team, Rainier, and the Coast Survey mission were exemplary. In particular, his efforts to build awareness of the NOAA mission among stakeholders and the public while maintaining maximum productivity was especially impactful, as the goodwill generated will pay dividends for other NOAA programs in the future.

Congratulations to Lt. Cmdr. Charles Wisotzkey (Great Lakes navigation manager) who has been awarded the NOAA Corps Commendation Medal for his service as the initial OIC of NOAA Ship Rainier's Hawaii shore party last year. His service to this team, Rainier, and the Coast Survey mission were exemplary. In particular, his work to establish the team and its logistics as the first OIC was especially impactful, as it laid the foundation for the team's continued success after he departed.

Paul Sutlovich retired on August 15 after 45 years of government employment. Paul started his career in 1974 as a University of Washington Geography Department intern, working as a student aid in the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations's Pacific Marine Center's Electronic Data Section. Once officially hired, he continued to work in computer and plotting equipment maintenance. In 1980, Paul became a cartographic technician, and moved to the Western Regional Center office in 1982, when the precursor to the Pacific Hydrographic Branch (PHB) was relocated there. He helped with establishing the new floor plan and the move. At that time, he also assisted with recompiling 240 EEZ surveys that had been recovered from a water intrusion. In 1994, Paul became a computer specialist, and in 2002, his title changed to IT specialist. Paul was always ready to lend a hand and keep the office stocked with supplies to keep things running smoothly. He enjoyed everyone in the office and has fond memories of PHB summer picnics and social events at the office. Paul does not have any immediate retirement plans, but is active in his church, and plans to stay connected to people at PHB. We wish him a long, happy retirement!

Bill Ohno retired on July 31 after 40+ years as a civil servant. Bill started his government career in 1978 at the Defense Mapping Agency and he joined NOAA in 1990 working in the Graphics Database unit in Rockville. Most of Bill's career in the Marine Chart Division involved charting critical corrections but he also had a five-year stint in the Nautical Data Branch. He enjoyed everyone in the office and has fond memories of the MCD Christmas parties at local establishments. His immediate retirement plans are simple due to COVID-19 but will probably include some fishing in remote areas along the Delaware shore. We will miss Bill and wish him a long, happy retirement!