Precision Marine Navigation program hosts third annual stakeholder workshop
Coast Survey’s Precision Marine Navigation (PMN) program hosted its
third annual stakeholder workshop on October 20, 2021. By advancing stakeholder engagement and enhancing communication between PMN and its customers (mariners, pilots, and equipment manufacturers), the workshop promotes the PMN program’s primary goals of improving customer decision making and increasing certainty for mariners. The workshop was held virtually and attracted participants from industry, academia, international hydrographic organizations, and interagency partners. It emphasized the collaborative nature of the PMN program, with presentations and remarks from the Office of Coast Survey, the Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services, and the National Weather Service.
Katie Ries gave opening remarks,
Julia Powell provided updates on the development of its innovative navigation resources, and participants had the opportunity to ask questions and submit feedback on provided products and services. The workshop concluded with a keynote presentation by Capt. Kip Louttit, director of the Marine Exchange of Southern California, who spoke on the integration of Precision Marine Navigation at the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach and its multiple safety, environmental, and financial benefits. For more information contact
Geoffrey.Dipre@noaa.gov.
Hydrographic Surveys Division Operations Branch September highlights
The Hydrographic Surveys Division’s Operations Branch continues to plan for the FY22 field season, including three projects in Alaska (Nunivak Island, Cape Newenham, and Nushagak Peninsula), The Marianas, the Great Lakes (western Lake Michigan, Cleveland, and Detroit), Atlantic coast (Onslow Bay) and the Gulf coast (Lake Charles).
Christina Belton deployed to NOAA Ship
Ferdinand R. Hassler, earning her Hydrographer-In-Charge certification while surveying the approaches to New York.
Janet Hsiao deployed to NOAA Ship
Fairweather to support data acquisition in the vicinity of San Francisco, California. For more information contact
Christina.Fandel@noaa.gov.
Navigation Response Team attends National Marine Sanctuary designation
LTJG Azzopardi and ENS Faha discussing the NRT mission
with Senator Baldwin and Dr. Spinrad. Credit: NOAA/ONMS
On October 14, NRT-New London attended the final designation ceremony of the
Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary, held at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The ceremony was presided over by Wisconsin Governor
Tony Evers and attendees included Wisconsin Senator
Tammy Baldwin, NOAA Administrator
Dr. Rick Spinrad, and a number of local officials spoke to the significance of the new sanctuary. Senator Baldwin and Dr. Spinrad took time to visit with the NRT and learn about the survey work the team was doing in the sanctuary, the benefits of the collaboration between Coast Survey and the sanctuary, and taking a look at some data the team collected. NRT-New London began surveying within the newly designated sanctuary in June 2021, but was delayed due to mechanical issues. The team returned to the area in early October and completed survey operations on October 22. During the survey, the team mapped nearly 60 square nautical miles of lakebed near the towns of Manitowoc and Sheboygan, Wisconsin, including four known shipwrecks. The data collected by the team will be utilized to update nautical charts and will be used by NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, Wisconsin state archaeologists, and a number of other state and interagency partners. For more information, keep an eye out for a blog post coming soon or contact
Nicholas.Azzopardi@noaa.gov.
Mountain reservoir hiking and
camping. Credit: Ryan Wartick
Mid-Atlantic Navigation Manager
Ryan Wartick was a winner in the NOS photo contest!
He received second place for his submission in the category, people enjoying nature. Congratulations Ryan!
Opportunities
Coast Survey's Navigation Services Division is seeking a qualified individual for a four to six month detail in the Nautical Publications Branch. Statements of interest can be submitted until November 1.
Please see this link for more detail.
