In the near future Wiggins Pass
will be under construction to straighten the channel. Many of the Aids to Navigation that are
familiar to us will be moved, some will be removed and some may be added. Use care when going through the pass and
update your knowledge of the Navigation Rules so you can proceed safely through
the channel.
In September 2012, the Visual
Navigation Division of the Coast Guard asked the Auxiliary to help photograph
22,000 fixed aids to navigation to meet the Chief Financial Officer’s audit
requirements for real property. There
are a few federal fixed ATONs in the Matanzas Pass area that we need to photograph. This project is scheduled for completion by
February 15, 2013. Anyone interested in
helping should contact me. There are specific requirements in taking the
photographs, so don’t try to take pictures until you talk to me.
NOAA is considering using bar
codes that enable you to download charts from the Internet. If you are a boater would you use these
codes? Please let me know your thoughts
and I will send them up the line.
ATON verifiers, please continue
to look for discrepancies and take pictures when appropriate. Send your forms to St. Petersburg or to me so
that the proper authorities in the Coast Guard will be notified.
