Welcome to the USCG Auxiliary “AtoN” Federal Short Range Aids to Navigation Program.

This Navigation Systems Division program encourages the checking of every Federal Aid to Navigation by any Auxiliarist at any time. Nothing restricts any member from checking Federal Aids and reporting observed discrepancies to the Coast Guard.  “Qualified Auxiliarists and their facilities are authorized assignment to duty to support and augment the Coast Guard Aids to Navigation (ATON) Program. Auxiliarist may assist and support ATON Units in servicing Federal Aids after receiving proper Coast Guard training.” (Excerpted from Chapter 2, Section B.3 Aids to Navigation of the Auxiliary Manual.)

1.   The focus of the Federal Short Range Aid to Navigation “AtoN” program is on prevention, accuracy, credibility,  professionalism and service to the Coast Guard, and is directed toward building the competency level and professional view of the Auxiliary in the eyes of Coast Guard.  Guidelines are provided for taking fixes and depths accurately. These guidelines involve pre-underway and on-scene validation of all measuring equipment used, credible quality on-scene observations and measurements, and for on-line professional report preparation.  This activity can take the form of fixes taken with GPS sets using WAAS, depths corrected to the charted vertical datum, physical measurements, photographs and drawings, as necessary, and the validation of all observations to the Light List, the Coast Pilot and a NOAA Nautical Chart.

2.  Aid to Navigation “ATON” tools are available for download to your home PC follow:

NS-AN01 - ATON PROGRAM HAND OUT   –ADOBE – Use this 2-page handout to promote your Federal Short Range Aid to Navigation program with your members.

NS-AN02 - FEDERAL SHORT RANGE AID TO NAVIGATION STUDY GUIDE  – Adobe – This 45-page guide is full of illustrations and photos of the various Aids to Navigation that are found on a Nautical Chart.  The IALA-B Aids to Navigations are depicted along with non-lateral and special aids.  Guidelines for taking and reporting fixes and depths are explained in detail as well as the reporting of NS Activity to AUXDATA.  Use this guide as a self-training tool and for introducing new members to the Aid to Navigation Team. 

NS-AN03 - ATON KIT – Adobe - Make this 14-page kit available to the OPFACs in your Division or Flotilla.  It is a great reference tool of the IALA-B Aid to Navigation System and provides a series of drawings that illustrate the typical discrepancies found on Aids to Navigation.  Use this great reference tool while underway. Also, it can be used to get new members interested in the Aid to Navigation Program.

NS-AN04 – AID TO NAVIGATION REPORT – EXCEL – Use this format for reporting discrepancies observed on Federal Short Range Aids to Navigation to your CG ANT. This form will be available for download from the National Forms Web Site. An EXCEL version is available on this site temporarily until the Navigation Systems Division web site is updated.

NS-AN04a AID TO NAVIGATION REPORT - Adobe - Field Explanations - This form is used to report discrepancies observed on aids to navigation, such as buoys, lights, day beacons, ranges, and electronic aids, which are owned or operated by Federal Government.

NS-AN05 - BASIC ATON TRAINING PRESENTATION – PowerPoint – is a 83-slide presentation about the basics of the IALA-B System. Use this presentation as a self-learning tool, as the basis of an Federal ATON Training Workshop and/or for training new members in the Aid to Navigation Program. A PowerPoint version is available on this site temporarily until the Navigation Systems Division web site is updated.

NS-AN06 - ATON DISCREPANCY REVIEW PRESENTATION – PowerPoint – shows every possible discrepancy you may find on an aid to navigation. It is designed for annual reviews of the ATON Program.  Include it as part of all your ATON workshops.

NS-AN07 - ALL ABOUT BUOYS  – PowerPoint – is an advanced 56-slide presentation that builds upon the “NS-AN05 - Basic ATON Training Presentation” above. Use this tool to fill in some more details about Aids to Navigation that will assist the member to become more conversant with Coast Guard terminology. Normally this presentation is used as a self-training tool. A PowerPoint version is available on this site temporarily until the Navigation Systems Division web site is updated.

NS-AN08 - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BEACONS PRESENTATION – PowerPoint – Use this 87-slide presentation to expand your knowledge of beacons. Normally, this presentation is used as a self-learning tool. A PowerPoint version is available on this site temporarily until the Navigation Systems Division web site is updated.

NS-AN09 – MORE ON BEACONS AND DAYMARKS PRESENTATION (02/17/09) – PowerPoint – Use this 87-slide presentation to further expand your knowledge of beacons. Normally, this presentation is used as a self-learning tool. A PowerPoint version is available on this site temporarily until the Navigation Systems Division web site is updated.

NS-AN10 - ATON OBSERVATION WORKSHEET - Click here for an EXCEL Format - Click here for an Adobe Format – Use this worksheet while on-scene collecting data about an aid. Data fields are provided for all of the necessary pre-underway and on-scene reviews. Simply check off any observed discrepancies. This worksheet is referenced to the revised “NS-AN04 – D1NR 7054 Aid to Navigation Discrepancy Report.” This worksheet is available on page 45 of the “NS-AN02 – Federal Short Range Aid to Navigation Study Guide”.

AN11 - PRE-UNDERWAY CHECKLIST FOR ATON/CU PATROLS – Adobe – Use this checklist to prepare your OPFAC before getting underway on an Aid to Navigation / Chart Updating Patrol.  This tool will remind you of the various pieces of equipment and set ups that are required to complete an effective and productive event.  This checklist is available on page 29 of the “AN02 – Federal Short Range Aid to Navigation Study Guide”.

3.      If the Federal Short Range Aid to Navigation Program interests you, talk to your NS Staff Officers. Each Flotilla and Division is encouraged to check each Federal Aid to Navigation that they pass while underway on an OPFAC. Guidelines are provided to take credit for your underway time and for all your NS Activity in AUXDATA, whether or not you find a discrepancy on a Federal Short Range Aid to Navigation (AtoN). Checking Aids to Navigation is a year-round Auxiliary program in some Districts and seasonal in the northern Districts. Generally, you need access to an OPFAC to participate. New members are encouraged to join their local Auxiliary Aid to Navigation. Your skill, knowledge, and desire to make a contribution to a worthy endeavor are all that is needed.

BEST PRACTICES:

Fix and Depth Reporting Standards to Government Agencies - Adobe - Document specifying the requirements and standards for reporting depths and fixes.

Short Range ATON Manual - CG Manual

ONLINE 7030 - Click here to fill out your mission hour form to receive credit for your ATON work in AUXData  use mission category 30 and submit to your FSO-IS

What to report about a beacon or Daymark (1/01/08) – Make a copy of this page and keep it aboard your OPFAC as reference. This is a great handout for Operationally active members – Word – 1 page.

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