How these changes will affect the posting of LNMs on Cruisers Net is not clear, but we will attempt to continue the daily posting of LNMs as they are received.
Notice: Changes to the USCG Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and Light Lists
The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center announces upcoming changes to the Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) and the Light List, as part of our efforts to modernize and improve the accessibility, accuracy, and overall user experience for mariners and other stakeholders.
What Is Changing?
Transition From Paper Charts: In January 2025, NOAA will discontinue the production of all paper charts. In alignment with this change, the Coast Guard will transition from using NOAA Paper Chart Numbers and Editions/Dates for disseminating Marine Safety Information (MSI) to using Official Waterway Names.
How You Will Access LNMs and Light Lists: The LNM and Light List data will now be available in a geospatial format, which will allow you to visualize information interactively on a map/chart. You can use your mouse wheel or the +/- buttons in the upper left portion of the screen to zoom in or out and navigate to your desired area on the map/chart. Once the area is displayed, you can generate a PDF of the LNM or Light List for that specific area, which you can then save and/or print. Alternatively, you can use a fillable form on our website to select your waterway by name from the Light List and generate the LNM or Light List.
LNM and Light List Data Refresh Rate: LNM data will be refreshed every fifteen minutes. Light List data will be refreshed every 24 hours. This will give you a much more up-to-date operating picture, designed to enhance your efficiency and improve safety in your area of transit or planned routes.
Elimination of Weekly Files: Weekly LNMs, Weekly Light List Correction Files, Daily Discrepancy Files, and the Summary of Light List Changes will no longer be published to focus on providing the most up-to-date and accessible format. In the near future, we will also publish an Application Programming Interface (API) for interested parties to access the data externally.
Why Are These Changes Being Made?
The modernization of MSI delivery is designed to improve the U.S. Coast Guard’s aid-to-navigation data management and dissemination capabilities. By providing frequent updates, geospatial visualization, and digital access, we hope to achieve our goals of:
Enhancing Maritime Safety: By delivering the most current and precise information, mariners can make better-informed decisions, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring safer navigation.
Improving Accessibility: The shift to geospatial visualization makes it easier for all users, from commercial mariners to recreational boaters, to stay informed.
Increasing Efficiency: The integration of LNM and Light List data into a geospatial format to simplify the gathering of safety information and facilitate easy route planning.
When Will These Changes Take Effect?
The transition to the modernized LNM and Light List platform (the Navigation Center website) will be completed by Monday, September 30th.
How to Access the New Features?
Starting on September 30th, 2024, you will be able to access the updated LNM and Light List through the NAVCEN website. A User Guide will be available on the NAVCEN website. Customers will still have the ability to download legacy versions of these products until October 21st.
For any questions or assistance, please visit our Contact Us Page, select ‘LNMs or Light Lists’ from the Subject dropdown, and submit your inquiry.
Thank you for your continued support as we work to improve the safety and efficiency of maritime navigation.
Today is the day! Tickets for the 14th Annual Party for the Parks are officially up for grabs, and they’re bound to go fast. With a theme that blends the glamour of 1960s Palm Beach with Charleston’s unique charm, this year’s event at Colonial Lake promises an unforgettable night of style, fun, and community spirit.
Don’t wait—secure your spot now and be part of one of Charleston’s most celebrated events, all while supporting the parks that make our city so special.
GET YOUR TICKET TODAY!
Ticket Details
General Admission – $175: This all-inclusive ticket includes complimentary tastings from some of Charleston’s trendiest restaurants, access to a full open bar, and an evening packed with live entertainment and dancing under the stars.
VIP Tickets – $300: Enjoy an elevated all-inclusive ticket with exclusive access to the VIP lounge, featuring a private premiere bar, restrooms, elevated tastings, complimentary hair and makeup services, and more. It’s the ultimate way to make your night even more special.
Thank you to our Sponsors and Partners
Join Charleston’s leading businesses, elevate your brand to a coveted audience, and guarantee a spot at the most exciting party of the year and become an event sponsor! Sponsorships start at $1,500, and customized exclusive sponsorships start at $5,000.
BECOME A SPONSOR
Help Us Win Nonprofit of the Year
The Charleston Parks Conservancy has been nominated as the Charleston Regional Business Journal’s Nonprofit Organization of the Year, and we need your support to win! As a community-driven organization, we are dedicated to nurturing and enhancing Charleston’s parks, creating vibrant spaces that connect people to nature and each other. Your daily vote will help us raise awareness of the importance of parks and our mission. Voting is open through Friday, September 27.
To vote, click on “Companies of the Year,” then scroll to “Nonprofit Organization of the Year,” find Charleston Parks Conservancy, and click “Vote.” You can vote once per day, every day, so let’s show Charleston the power of our community!
VOTE
ABOUT THE CONSERVANCY
Charleston Parks Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to securing 100% of the funds essential for the operation and programming of Charleston’s parks, acting on behalf of the city. While our partners at the City contribute 10% of the Conservancy’s required budget, donations from supporters and attendees of our paid programs enable us to continue our high standard of care to keep the park clean, green, and thriving.
The core mission of Charleston Parks Conservancy revolves around safeguarding, nurturing, and enhancing the various parks under its purview, cultivating an atmosphere conducive to connecting people with their parks. As diligent stewards, the Conservancy is committed to actively involving the community through cared-for gardens, welcoming amenities, and top-notch programming. The organization believes that within an urban landscape, every individual deserves access to a park that facilitates recreation, provides moments of respite, and stewards community relationships. Read More.
When parks thrive, people thrive. Donate today to make an impact in our community.
DONATE
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Baystreet Marina special customized off-season rates and new on-line booking for dockage!
Customize your own dockage rate this autumn at Baystreet Marina! Call them directly with your September and October boating plans and they will tailor a rate just for you based on length of stay, size of boat and extended travel plans.
Snag-a-Slip is an incredibly easy way to book dockage from your PC or mobile device with NO booking fees.
The largest marina in The Bahamas, Baystreet Marina spans 1km of waterfront and offers 120 slips, accommodating vessels up to 500′ with 20′ draft’. The Marina is pet friendly, provides high quality reverse osmosis fresh water at every slip, and offers 24-hour security with full CCTV, and pumpout service. Baystreet also has the most modern power system in The Bahamas as well as modern RO system giving boaters peace of mind when connected.
More Bahamas News
The Bahamas Charter Yacht Show 2025 will be held in Nassau with events starting Wednesday January 29 at four leading Nassau/Paradise Island marinas. Presented by the Association of Bahamas Marinas in partnership and The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation.
The Association of Bahamas Marinas will have their own booth at this year’s Ft Lauderdale Boat Show. Come visit us in the Superyacht Tent at booth 855-856 and see representatives from:
Show your love for The Bahamas and vote for your favorite marinas, destinations and even the best dockmaster! Vote by clicking below:
Big ABM Welcome to our newest Allied Members – be sure to contact these companies for the best boating experiences in The Bahamas. See our full list of Allied Members!
Spend your Friday night on the dance floor with us this summer! Whether it’s a Moonlight Mixer on the Folly Beach Pier or Dancing On The Cooper on the Mount Pleasant Pier, we’ve got plenty of space to move and groove.
Did Sailors always swear? Were they well-mannered and friendly long ago? What started the foul-mouthed trajectory? Disloyalty amongst the crew? Thieving Pirates? The weather? Being cheated? Do they really swear more than other professions or is that just what we’ve always been told? Google AI recounts that a 1699 sermon by Puritan Preacher Cotton Mather (the name is familiar if you’ve heard of the Salem Witch Trials) coined the phrase as sailors were known for their “colorful language and expletive-laden speech.” Even using the word damn was a highly provocative act, according to sailingscuttlebutt.com. ”Damning someone to hell was putting yourself on par with the Almighty, something that was taken very seriously.” Well, hell. Some folks deserve to go there, don’t they? We just have to hope that the Higher Power gets it right.
We fly a Pirate flag. While the history is controversial, to us it simply says, “We are willing to protect ourselves.” Sure, there would be swearing involved.
I was one of those perky positive individuals. Little phased me. I believed in everyone. I’ve spent most of my years well-mannered and friendly, as perhaps sailors were before too many transgressions and impending rogue waves colored their vernacular. Now, I’m letting the assholes get me down. The expression used to be “Don’t let the Turkeys get you down,” but that doesn’t seem quite strong enough. I’m fighting it, (I swear!), to no avail. Frighteningly, insidiously, I think it’s happening; Human Nature has taken a turn for the worse. More and more people choose to ignore, cheat, lie, steal, overstep and shirk. Am I right? Or has it just been my #*@% bad luck to run into a few? You decide.
Last week we answered an internet ad for a used work van, made contact and arrangements to meet, rented a car, drove three hours. The first seller showed up in a filthy vehicle smoking a cigarette. What he was driving did not remotely resemble what was posted on his page for sale. The second seller was a rough looking tradesman, but believable. Oh so believable. After test-drive, negotiation and an exchange of cash, we started the engine to leave and three check engine lights came on(!). We asked for our money back; the thick envelope was still in his hand. He turned away, left his slippers outside the front door, locked it and sent a text message that said. “You bought it. Sorry.”
The little lemon. You can’t make these stories up.
We stood in his dark, deserted driveway, astonished that this con man had so little conscience. I swore like a Sailor. Within twelve hours the transmission failed, tire pressures plummeted, the wiring had issues. I am quite certain (and want to believe) that man is damned to hell whether it’s my words that send him there or not.
Here’s another example of Academy Award Winners in their roles of down-on-their-luck goodness. This couple lived on a sailboat, an old wooden schooner, under extensive refit in Cambridge, Maryland, USA. They were headed to the Caribbean with limited resources, a small child, two rabbits and a dog. If you believe in people you would say, wow! Impressive! We were charmed, taken in, and stayed in touch as they sailed down the coast of the US. At a favorite Island in the Bahamas, we gave them tactical guidance and local knowledge, asking favors of friends and acquaintances to fulfill their extensive needs. The generous Bahamians rented that couple a house and a mooring, loaned them a motorboat and more, all on trust. All on promises of payment after services were rendered. We were told that they departed that peaceful, religious island leaving thousands of dollars of unpaid debt, just like they left a local boatyard without paying their bill. They embarrassed us and cursed themselves as we discovered their amazing ability to betray. My blood still boils a bit recounting the story, although I have almost let it go.
It used to be easier to forgive those who trespassed against me. I believe that Karma will kick in and slap the bad people, hard. I cannot count how many times I have said to myself (and to everyone else) “Do unto others….” We all know the rest of the phrase, I think. If not, I’ll fill it in for you. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” The Golden Rule, don’t screw your neighbor. Don’t be a jerk. Don’t lie, cheat or steal. Have consideration, generosity and empathy. Be kind.
People entering my realm of late have conducted themselves in such a way that instead of being able to let it go, these actions keep me awake at night, wondering WTF has happened to a society that used to care how its actions affected others. These are not drop-your-gum-on-the-sidewalk sort of indiscretions, what we are seeing are BIG, nasty, expensive, long-lasting crimes enacted by con artists. That art form I want to live without.
Most importantly, what if we all just go along with what seems like a trend? What a horrible, frightening thought! I don’t want to be that way, I don’t want to think that way. It scares me to death. I’m one of the good guys. (I swear! Again!) I’ve lived up to my end of the bargains I’ve made. I try my damnedest to do what I say I’m going to do.
Since I’m on a roll and as a planet we don’t seem to be abiding by the original Ten Commandments or the multitude of comparable versions thereof, I’m recommending a few more to keep in mind.
*IF someone reaches out to you, reply. It takes barely longer to say “No, thank you,” than it does to hit delete.
*IF I buy something, I want what I was told I was getting.
*IF you are selling something, the product should be what you say it is.
*IF I choose to do so I can endanger my life. You are not allowed to endanger my life with your carelessness, ignorance, stupidity or simple lack of consideration.
*IF greed influences your decisions unduly you won’t have true friends.
*IF you don’t practice common courtesy you should. It is the simple recognition of another person’s soul and indicates their importance.
_________________________________
There were good things that happened this week, too. The destruction phase of our STEADFAST project is over and I heard this song, which reminded me of my Mother’s record (vinyl) collection. Man, she could belt out some classic country while she was cleaning on Saturday mornings. Think (if you’re old enough) Glen Campbell, Charlie Pride, Loretta Lynn, and every week John Denver crooned “How right it is to care…” If you don’t stop caring I won’t, either. I swear.
We all Spar With Human Nature, our own and others. Don’t let the assholes get you down. I’m back to caring, I’m back to positivity. I swear! Perhaps I can go back to not swearing like a Sailor. Or not, because, after all, I AM a Sailor! So I’m allowed. And the world is a bit confusing and very roundabout. Pay attention, if you care. Because What about tomorrow?
Writing this to you very important people has made me feel tremendously better. Chime in. Do you swear like a sailor?? And if so, under what circumstances? When do the assholes get you down? Betrayal? Injustice? Loss? Please do share. Thank you.
Readers like you support SPARRING WITH MOTHER NATURE by enjoying & sharing what I write. Everything I create is available without charge to anyone who wishes to sign on, and I love that. There is never any pressure to upgrade, but if you have the ability to do so, well, that would be great.
A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, Riviera Dunes Marina Resort occupies the Manatee River’s northern banks, just east of the easternmost of three bridges crossing the river at Bradenton and Palmetto near charted Craig Point. See FOCUS ON for more on Riviera Dunes Marina Resort.
Comments from Cruisers (1)
Much welcomed improvement over reading thru PDFs!