Aids to Navigation (ATONs) are found in most waterways to guide you and your vessel safely through the waterway. Every now and then, though, you can't actually see them because they're positioned underwater. These electronic ATONs are designed to be viewed on a computer screen. Is that something that's useful to you? The Coast Guard wants to hear your opinion on the matter. Go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/21stCenturyWaterways to answer a 25-question survey and make your voice heard.
Examples of these so-called eATONs have been deployed around the San Francisco area with the goal of improving safety and efficiency in the ship-traffic lanes around the Golden Gate bridge. These eATONs are only visible by boats equipped with Automatic Identification System (AIS) technology, which is primarily limited to large commercial vessels, although some recreational craft have it as well.
According to BoatUS President Margaret Podlich, “Although the US Coast Guard recently had 12 public listening sessions, recreational boaters did not attend in large numbers. As a result, the agency now has an online survey to capture our viewpoints, and it’s in every boater’s interest to speak up."
She continues, "Unlike commercial vessels, recreational boats are much less likely to have sophisticated electronics needed to access some of the newer proposed systems, such as virtual buoys projected on electronic charts. There’s still a significant need for the tried-and-true physical ATONs in areas where boaters operate, such shallow-draft harbors and channels."
Every boater is urged to take the short survey before the end of the year.
