113 years ago, the LCA, a trade association representing the Great Lakes fleet, created recommended courses to ensure navigation safety and regulate traffic in waterways on the lakes. In 1970, NOAA took over the charting of the region from the United States Lake Survey and included these courses on its charts. Today, Coast Survey plays a large role in transferring these paper charts to NOAA’s electronic navigational charts like the one shown here.
Mobile mapping laser scanner (lidar) data acquired by NOAA hydrographic survey contractor, David Evans and Associates, Inc. (DEA), as part of a high-resolution hydrographic survey of the lower Mississippi River in Louisiana between Baton Rouge and the entrance to Southwest Pass. The vessel based mobile laser scanning data was used to update traditional shoreline and nearshore features, as well as heights of bridges and overhead cables that could pose a hazard to surface navigation. The image provides an example of the extreme level of detail that was achieved, catching a local tug testing its fire-fighting capabilities off of Milan Street Wharf in New Orleans.
NOAA Ship Rainier held a change of command ceremony on Friday, April 9, 2021, honoring the outstanding work of outgoing Commanding Officer CDR Samuel Greenaway and welcoming incoming Commanding Officer CDR Oliva Hauser, who is poised for successful command. Photo from left to right: CAPT Benjamin K. Evans, CDR Samuel Greenaway, CDR Olivia Hauser, CAPT Jeffrey Taylor
