Navigation Safety Advisory Committee News

The U.S. Coast Guard published guidance that allows mariners to use electronic charts and publications instead of paper charts, maps and publications. Issued February 5, the Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular, NVIC 01-16 establishes uniform guidance on what is now considered equivalent to chart and publication carriage requirements. Combining the suite of electronic charts from the U.S. hydrographic authorities and the Electronic Charting System (ECS) standards published this past summer by the Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services, the Coast Guard said it believes official electronic charts provide mariners with a substitute for the traditional official paper charts. Capt. Scott J. Smith, the chief of the U.S.

Coast Guard seeking Houston/Galveston Navigation Safety Advisory Committee applicants to fill vacancies. AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Request for applications. SUMMARY: The Coast Guard seeks applications for membership on the Houston/Galveston Navigation Safety Advisory Committee (HOGANSAC). This Committee provides advice and makes recommendations to the Coast Guard on matters relating to the safe transit of vessels and products through Galveston Bay, and to and from the Ports of Galveston, Houston, Texas City, and Galveston Bay.

The US Coast Guard seeks applications for membership on the Houston/Galveston Navigation Safety Advisory Committee (HOGANSAC).  The committee advises the Coast Guard on matters relating to safe navigation of vessels to and from the ports of Galveston, Houston, and Texas City, and throughout Galveston Bay.  Applications should be submitted by February 14, 2009.  73 Fed. Reg. 76368  (December 16, 2008). (Source: Holland & Knight)

The Navigation Safety Advisory Committee (NAVSAC), sponsored by the US Coast Guard, will meet in Washington, DC on December 10-11. Topics on the agenda include e-navigation requirements; Arctic navigation requirements; navigation fairways; and unmanned surface vessels. (Source: Holland & Knight)

The U.S. Coast Guard and the Houston/Galveston Navigation Safety Advisory Committee are hosting the Fourth Annual National Harbor Safety Committee Conference in Galveston on March 3-5, 2002. Items on the agenda include a review of harbor safety in the Port of New York/New Jersey following the terrorist attacks; contemporary port security issues; port risk and vulnerability; and harbor infrastructure issues. Source: HK Law

The Houston/Galveston Navigation Safety Advisory Committee (HOGANSAC) has compiled the first-ever Facility Information Guide for the ports of Galveston, Houston and Texas City. The Guide provides specific navigation information for every facility in the three-port area. Information in the Guide was contributed by terminal owners and operators and organized by staff members at Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service Houston/Galveston. Copies of the Guide are currently available and may be purchased from the Marine Exchange of the West Gulf, Inc. The guide's cost is $16.24 per copy, plus shipping and handling. The Guide is intended to enhance the safety of marine operations in the region by providing important data on channel-side facilities.

Houston/Galveston Navigation Safety Advisory Committee (HOGANSAC) will hold its next public meetings on September 5, 2002 (working groups only) and September 19, 2002 (full committee), at the offices of the Houston Pilots Association in Houston, Texas. The notice appears in the July 25, 2002, Federal Register. Source: Marine Legal Update

The Navigation Safety Advisory Committee (NAVSAC), sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard, will meet in Washington, DC on November 14. Topics on the agenda include standard navigation bridge design, offshore renewable energy installations, navigational aid mix, electronic positioning and timing systems, electronic charts, and right whale proposed regulations. Source: HK Law

The Navigation Safety Advisory Committee (NAVSAC), sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard, will meet in Arlington, Virginia on September 7-9. Topics on the agenda include regulated navigation areas and security zones; enhanced LORAN; Right Whale proposed regulations; navigation bridge visibility; automatic identification systems; and electronic charting and electronic charting display information systems. 70 Fed. Reg. 48179 (HK Law)