This report from BoatUS appears to ally concerns expressed earlier this month by several boating groups, see /164913.

BoatUS: NOAA National Charting Plan Looks to the Future

“We don’t expect paper charts to go away anytime soon”

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 31, 2017 – Many in the boating community have recently expressed concern after learning of a proposed plan for the “sunsetting” of paper navigational charts, which was listed among the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Charting Plan, released earlier this spring.

A closer reading of the strategy however, according to the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water, reveals a forward-looking approach that sets a course to enable the Office of Coast Survey’s Marine Chart Division to continue to meet the evolving needs of boaters into the future. The member-funded nonprofit Foundation serves as the safety arm for the more than half-million member Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS).

“The way we access data today is different than how we accessed it 10 years ago, and we believe there’s a good chance it will be different 10 years from now,” said BoatUS Foundation Vice President Susan Shingledecker, who serves as the boaters voice on the 15-member NOAA Hydrographic Services Review Panel, which advises the federal agency on the nation’s navigational charting needs. “The National Charting Plan shows that NOAA is looking to evolve its products and use its resources efficiently to meet the changing needs of its users. Having nautical charts available in a range of formats is key to boating safety, and we don’t expect paper charts to go away anytime soon.”

To ensure concerns were recognized, comments filed today with NOAA by BoatUS Government Affairs said, “BoatUS feels strongly that NOAA’s charting products need to continue to be available in a wide range of formats. …We see some form of paper charts as an essential need for the foreseeable future.”

BoatUS also notes in its comments that charts are likely moving to the metric system and will require boater education. The BoatUS Foundation expects to increase its educational outreach as that occurs.

Among the proposed boater-friendly changes in the National Charting Plan, according to Shingledecker, are more frequent chart updates – weekly, instead of long intervals, and the better integration of data with other agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Coast Guard, which could mean integrating the latest channel depths and aid to navigation positions. The plan also allows NOAA to focus attention on underserved waterways, such as resolving chart discrepancies in areas of importance to recreational boaters.

“We see a more efficient chart production that allows more frequent updates of obstructions, discrepancy resolution and exploration of using crowd-sourced data,” said Shingledecker. “Boaters on the Intracoastal Waterway, for example, need to know what the channel depth is today – not what it was last year. The plan is simply a starting point to get us there.”

NOAA also responded to boaters’ concerns in a blog post today, ensuring boaters that, “The draft plan does not offer a timeline for ending the production for NOAA paper charts or (Raster Navigational Chart) data. We expect this process may take decades to complete, as user communities continue to adopt electronic navigation and our production system and products continue to improve.”

Our thanks to MTOA’s Mike Bodin for reminding us that comments on NOAA’s proposal to stop printing charts is JUNE 1ST!

Fellow boaters,

Please review the enclosed and forward your comment to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration by June 1.

Advise NOAA the use of paper charts are essential for safe boating as a back up to the GPS system. If the GPS system encountered any problems paper charts would be invaluable. 

Enclosed is the E-mail form [below] with instructions to be filled out and sent.

Thank you for your participation in this matter.

Mike Bodin
MTOA Public Advocate

From Maptech
Date: Wed, May 24, 2017 at 9:48 AM
Subject: NOAA wants to stop making NOAA charts
To:

Dear Friends,

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) plans to cease support for producing the 1,000-plus NOAA charts that millions of boaters use and rely on for safe navigation.

Please see the attached press release regarding this matter that could affect the safety of life at sea.

We would appreciate you and your readers and subscribers providing comments on NOAA’s proposed National Charting Plan before June 1, 2017.

Thank you.

Maptech
90 Hatch Street, Unit 1
New Bedford, MA 02745
Tel.: 508-990-9020
NOAAwantstostopmakingNOAAcharts_PressRelease 

Our thanks to Brad Pickle and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association for the work they do on behalf of all east coast boaters.

Dear AIWA Members,

Greetings from the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association (AIWA). On behalf of our AIWA Board of Directors, I want to thank each of you for being a member of the Association. I am writing you today to share information related to federal funding for the maintenance dredging of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Please note that this email is a high level review of information that was only made available Tuesday (FY18 Budget) and today (FY17 Work Plan). A more detailed review will be included in the AIWA Summer 2017 newsletter.

I am outlining two separate appropriations processes over two separate fiscal years–the FY17 Work Plan and the FY18 President’s Budget. The FY17 Work Plan identifies final funding for Corps projects while the FY18 President’s Budget outlines the Administration’s priorities. The FY17 Work Plan is funding for the fiscal year that starts on October 1, 2016 and goes through September 30, 2017 and the President’s Budget is for next year from October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018. In a simplified explanation, the Work Plan is the combination of the President’s budget and additional funding added by Congress; the President’s budget is only the first step in the process for FY18.

FY17 Workplan:

Wednesday Evening, the FY17 Work Plan was released and included the following amounts for the AIWW:

Virginia- $4.14Million, $110k more than President’s FY17 budget
North Carolina- $1.833M, $83k more than President’s FY17 budget
South Carolina- $6.6M, $6.5M more than President’s FY17 budget
Georgia- $181K, no increase over President’s FY17 budget
Florida- $2.85M, $2M more than President’s FY17 budget
Total- $15.604M, $8.693M more than the President’s Budget

In FY 2016, the final Work Plan included $13.931M so the FY17 amount is the largest that the waterway has received in the typical appropriations process in more than five years, and almost 80% more than the President’s Budget. In addition, the Work Plan funding amounts do not include over $30 million received in FY17 for AIWW Maintenance as part of the 2017 supplemental appropriations bill for hurricane recovery. Every state along the waterway received funding for maintenance dredging for hurricane recovery. Further details on all funding will also be provided in the AIWA Summer 2017 newsletter.

FY 18: President’s budget:

On Tuesday, the FY18 President’s Budget was released and included the following amounts for the AIWW:

Virginia- $5.479 Million
North Carolina- $2.812M
South Carolina- $199.5K
Georgia- $181K
Florida- $2.224M
Total- $10,895,500

In comparison, the President’s Budget included $7.231M in FY16 and $6.911 M in FY17 for the Waterway so the FY18 amount is a substantial increase (over 43% higher than 2017) and a great starting point. However, the amount of AIWW funding in the President’s Budget is less than we received in the final FY17 work plan and we will be working with Congress to increase this amount as we have done in previous years. We are making great progress and are very appreciative of the increased funding amounts. We will continue working to increase funding to address additional unmet needs, and we can always use your assistance in two primary areas. One, if you have the opportunity to speak to Congressional Members or staff, please ask them to support Additional Operations & Maintenance Funding for Inland Waterways and Small, Remote or Subsistence Navigation for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These are the funds that lead to additional funding above the President’s Budget in the final Work Plans.

And secondly, the AIWA is a membership organization funded through your financial support and proceeds from our annual meeting. We hope to see many of you at our next conference planned for November 15-16, 2017 at the Blockade Runner in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. Please also encourage others to join our efforts as AIWA members at all levels and we specifically want to reach local government, marinas and marine businesses, and corporate entities who work and rely on the waterway to join our efforts. If you have contacts or recommendations we would love to hear from you and you can forward to bpickel@seahavenconsulting.com. Thank you for your assistance in identifying organizations to get them on board!

Please stay tuned for more information in our summer newsletter related to specific projects that have been completed or are underway in all of the states along the waterway. If you have any questions on the information provided above please let me know.

Respectfully,

Brad

Brad Pickel
Executive Director
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association
843-379-1151

CLICK HERE TO READ ONLINE

This information is for those of you who carry kayaks or canoes on deck.

News Release
May 12, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 1st District Northeast
Contact: 1st District Public Affairs
Office: (617) 223-8515
After Hours: (617) 717-9609

Coast Guard focusing on paddle craft safety as 2017 priority

The Coast Guard and partner agencies are focusing efforts to educate paddlers on how to “have fun, be safe, and paddle smart.” (U.S. Coast Guard illustration)

BOSTON — The First Coast Guard District, spanning from Maine to Northern New Jersey, is promoting greater paddlecraft safety awareness during the 2017 boating season in the Northeast, where paddlecraft fatalities have skyrocketed.

In 2016, the Northeast saw 28 paddler deaths, more than double the national average according to preliminary data.

“Multiple factors affect boating statistics from year to year,” said Walt Taylor, the recreational boating safety specialist for the First District. “This year, we are focused on paddlecraft safety, awareness, and enforcement to reduce the number of paddlecraft fatalities this boating season,” he said.

Additionally, the Coast Guard is partnering with paddling organizations, retailers, and local authorities to collaborate, and promote paddlecraft safety, as well as provide safety information, found at www.uscgboating.org.

“This paddlecraft safety initiative is a multi-partnered effort to educate and remind new, casual, and experienced paddlers to assess the risks, envision the consequences, and be properly prepared for what can and sometimes does go wrong,” said Merri Walker, Massachusetts boating law administrator with Massachusetts Environmental Police.

“We want all boaters and paddlers to enjoy their time on the water and, most importantly, return home safely,” said Cmdr. Matthew Barker, director of the First Coast Guard District’s Northern Region Auxiliary.

Barker said paddlecraft safety is a critical concern and information is included in all Auxiliary public education courses and numerous events are held to demonstrate the proper handling of canoes and kayaks. Find classes here: http://a013.uscgaux.info/pe.htm.

Moreover, paddlers in Massachusetts are required to wear life jackets from Sept. 15-May 15; in Connecticut, Oct. 1-May 31, and in New York, Nov. 1-May 1. All mariners should be aware that most states require children under 12 to be in a life jacket at all times while on the water.

MEDIA NOTE: The First Coast Guard District public affairs office is seeking partnerships with local media to share safety information to Northeast paddlers. For interviews, stories, and access to Coast Guard crews and assets, members of the media are encouraged to contact 617-223-8515.