Coast Survey Biweekly Newsletter

Colby Harmon of Coast Survey's Marine Chart Division, was the U.S. NOAA representative at the recent International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) Nautical Cartography Working Group meeting in Stockholm, Sweden. The principal matter of discussion at this meeting was developing recommendations on the future of the paper nautical chart for the IHO Hydrographic Services and Standards Committee (HSSC). As chair of the Sub-Working Group on the Future of the Paper Nautical Chart, Colby presented the results of a survey of IHO member states on their current and future chart production plans. The results of this survey and the recommendations developed by the group will be incorporated into a report that will be presented to the HSSC and available for review by the 2nd session of the IHO Assembly in the spring of 2020. The report will help guide IHO efforts to support the development and maintenance of nautical chart standards in the future. For more information contact Colby.Harmon@noaa.gov.

Coast Survey reflects on the strong relationships and collaboration which supported a rapid response following a 7.1 magnitude earthquake which shook Anchorage, Alaska, on November 30, 2018. Due to its makeup, there was considerable concern that the earthquake may have caused the soft seafloor to shift, presenting a concern for safe navigation. The Port of Alaska, provides critical access to a vast majority of goods, including food, for Alaskans across the state. Coast Survey’s Regional Navigation Manager Lt. Cmdr. Bart Buesseler, worked with the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Southwest Alaskan Pilots Association (SWAPA) to coordinate the earthquake response. Buesseler and the SWAPA pilots identified key survey areas with known hazards that might have shifted. Armed with this knowledge, Coast Survey’s Hydrographic Surveys Division Operations Branch executed an emergency contract to survey these areas as quickly as possible. The branch had one of Coast Survey’s contract partners, eTrac, surveying the area only eight days after the quake. Coast Survey’s hydrographic survey contract partners and its strong relationship with other federal and state partners allowed for a quick response in Cook Inlet’s challenging environment. Learn more about it here. For more information contact Lt. Cmdr Bart Buesseler at Alasaka.NavManager@noaa.gov.

In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, NOAA's Seas n' Skies Chapter of Federally Employed Women (FEW), kicked off their annual drive for the Comfy Chemo Bags. The chapter donated 26 Comfy Chemo Bags to cancer patients undergoing chemo treatment at Holy Cross Hospital's Cancer Patient Center. Each bag contained a blanket, socks, lotion, chapstick, peppermints, ginger candy, playing cards, puzzle books, a note pad with pen, and a Seas n' Skies bookmark. On Friday, November 1, 2019, Shawnee Turner of the Navigation Services Division and Deana Mastin of the Coast Survey Development Lab (CSDL), delivered the bags to Holy Cross. On behalf of the Seas n' Skies Chapter, we would also like to recognize and give a special thanks to Cuong Hoang of CSDL and Julia Powell, deputity chief of CSDL, for their gracious donations. Cuong donated the majority of fleece blankets and socks, while Julia donated a substantial amount of toiletries. We hope the bags will encourage the patients through their journey and we look forward to supporting this event in the years to come. For more information contact Deana.Mastin@noaa.gov.

On November 15, 2019, the crew of the NOAA Ship Rainier observed a change of command in Valejo, California. Cmdr. Sam Greenaway, former executive officer of NOAA Ship Fairweather, replaced Capt. Ben Evans who’s next position will be as the National Ocean Service operations director. In his new role, Evans will coordinate corporate-level execution of the strategic and tactical needs across NOS programs for operational capability. This field season, Rainier expanded its responsibilities beyond Alaska and the Pacific Northwest to projects along the Hawaiian Islands and the coast of California. The commanding officer of a NOAA survey ship is also the ship’s hydrographer, chief scientist, and senior program representative. This means that, in addition to being responsible for safe management of the vessel, the commanding officer is also solely and ultimately responsible for the completion of the science mission — the hydrographic surveys delivered to Coast Survey. For more information read our recent blog post or contact Capt. Richard.T.Brennan@noaa.gov.

Katie Ries, Coast Survey's deputy director, led the U.S. interagency delegation to the meeting of the MesoAmerican Caribbean Hydrographic Commission (MACHC) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The meeting brought together more than 100 participants from more than 25 countries and organizations to share information, coordinate, and collaborate on hydrographic interests in the region. This year, with the U.S. chairing, principal topics included regional contributions to the Seabed 2030 mapping initiative, capacity building, chart modernization (bringing online the next generation S-100 electronic navigational charts), and other topics. NOAA was joined by representatives from the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency and the Naval Oceanographic Office. For more information contact Kathryn.Ries@noaa.gov.

On Friday, November 29, Rolland Gant officially retired from his position as cartographic technician at Marine Chart Division’s Nautical Data Branch (NDB). Rolland retired with 43 years of service in the federal government, including a lifetime of support for NOAA. His career began on October 11, 1977, as a custodian at the Rockville location and worked his way into the mailroom. He knew he wanted to do more with NOAA and moved to a position with photogrammetry. Rolland’s next position was with the Marine Chart Division’s Notice to Mariners group under Norman Banks, which evolved into the Source Data Section. Following is work with Jim Graham on Special Projects, Rolland began his time with the NDB. While in NDB, he work with National Marine Fisheries Service to process fisherman’s contingency fund claims. Rolland played a huge role within NDB in tackling the necessary tasks to keep the branch and division on pace. He has been active with Blacks in Government, the Combined Federal Campaign, and as a floor monitor. Rolland has worked with eight admirals, 12 captains, and one commander at the helm of Coast Survey. Rolland crossed paths with many people throughout his career and around the Silver Spring campus. He will be missed by his colleagues, but we all wish him the best and good health in retirement.

Congratulations to our Coast Survey colleagues who were honored at the NOS annual employee recognition and awards ceremony on December 3. Meredith Payne received the 2019 NOS Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Award. Kristen Crossett received the 2019 Employee of the Year Award. Dr. Saeed Moghimi received the 2019 Team Member of the Year Award. Starla Robinson was nominated by the National Geodetic Survey and received the NOS Peer Recognition Rafting Award. Stacy Dohse of the NOAA Acquisition and Grants Office was nominated by Coast Survey and received the NOS Peer Recognition Rafting Award.

IT Services Branch Chief. This position is located in Silver Spring and reports to the chief of the Coast Survey Development Laboratory. The detail will start in early April and last for 120 days.
The position is open to NOAA employees at Band 04 (GS-13/14 equiv.) for temporary promotion, or employees at Band 05 (GS-15 equiv.) as a detail. If you are interested please send Julia.Powell@noaa.gov your resume and a brief statement of intent and qualifications related to the announcement by COB, December 6, 2019.

The next NOS Communications and Media Training is scheduled for Tuesday, December 10, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., in Silver Spring, Maryland. In the training, you will review and practice communication skills (including plain language and messaging) and working with news media. If you are interested in attending, please get supervisor approval and contact Brady.Phillips@noaa.gov from NOAA Communications.

Visit Science on a Sphere in Silver Spring to support NOAA's 2019 CFC CAN-paign. Learn about how you CAN give to charities that protect the planet, and other causes.
Coming up: Thursday, Dec 5th from 8-10 - Cookies for a Cause It's International Volunteer Day. The first 100 employees to visit the Science on a Sphere receives a cookie, while supplies last.

Check out the latest security awareness handout for helpful cybersecurity tips to stay safe and secure over the holiday season.