PATON - Private
Aids to Navigation Program
This is a First Northern Aid to Navigation program that encourages the
checking and verification of every Private Aid to Navigation by any Auxiliarist
at any time. Nothing restricts any Auxiliarist from checking a Private Aid for
discrepancies, as they do for Federal Aids and Bridges, and from reporting any
observed discrepancies to the Coast Guard. However, an Auxiliarist must be
AV—Aid Verifier qualified in order to verify a Private Aid to Navigation. Please
note that there is a difference.
Guidelines for the Private Aid - PATON Verification program . . .
As with the other four Navigation Systems programs, the emphasis of this
program’s approach is on accuracy, credibility, and professionalism and
it is directed toward building your competence level as an AV-Aid Verifier in
the eyes of the Coast Guard. Guidelines for Aid Verifier qualifications and
check off program has been established. In addition, guidelines are provided
for taking and reporting fixes and depths, for pre-underway and on-scene
evaluation of measuring equipment used, for quality professional on-scene
observations, and for on-line report preparation. These guidelines feature
fixes taken with GPS sets using WAAS, depths corrected to the charted vertical
datum, physical measurements, photographs, and the validation of observations to
the Light List, the Coast Pilot and to a NOAA Nautical Chart. A revised format
is provided that will further enhance the professionalism of the PATON
discrepancy reports that the Coast Guard receive from the Auxiliary by allowing
on-line report preparation.
 First
Northern is using a new on-line PATON System. This new approach connects
all the PATON participants on-line, including the PATON owner, the DPW, the CG
ANT, the Auxiliary AVs, and the harbormasters, in a system that virtually
eliminates the paperwork, reporting delays, envelops, stamps and report waiting
time. The system controls the process, the communications network and the
approval sequences. Auxiliary AVs can print out their “verification”
reports from their home computers, and, after on-scene verification of the
PATON, can enter their observations on-line from their home computer. The CG
ANT and the DPW receive your on-line reports immediately. In addition, the CG
ANT is able to communicate any problem on-line to the PATON owner for
correction. Once installed, this system can run itself and is a perfect fit for
Coast Guard Auxiliary support.
PATON01 - PATON PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT (04-30-08) Use this handout to
promote your Private Aid to Navigation program with your members. Also, it is
the image of the D1NR PATON Web Page on the First Northern Aid to Navigation Web
Site.
PAT ON02
- PRIVATE AID TO NAVIGATION (PATON) STUDY GUIDE (4/30/08) – 40 pages
This new guide is full of information about the various classes of Private Aids
to Navigation. Guidelines for taking and reporting fixes and depths are
explained in detail as well as the reporting of your AN Activity to AUXDATA. It
also contains references to the Federal Laws concerning Private Aids to
Navigation. This guide is designed to be a training tool for your Private Aid to
Navigation AV - Aids Verifier Program.
PATON03 - PATON AV-AID VERIFIER TRAINING GUIDELINE AND CHECK OFF
(03-08-08)– PDF Lists all of the skills that an Aids Verifier needs to acquire
in order to perform high quality PATON verifications in a professional manner.
Start working with a mentor to complete their AV qualification training.
PATON04 – 5074 PATON DISCREPANCY REPORT (04-29-08) – EXCEL Keep copies
in your NAV Kit to use for reporting discrepancies that you observe on Private
Aids to Navigation. This is also a great tool for documenting Non-Permitted
Private aids. Note that this form does not replace the Web-Based PATON System-08
USCGAUX AV PATON Report – 7054 used by AVs to report PATON verifications to the
CG ANTs.
PATON05 - ATON BASIC TRAINING PRESENTATION – PowerPoint This is a 79-slide
presentation about the basics of the IALA-B System. This is a great
self-learning tool or can be the basis of an ATON Training Workshop. Use this
tool for training new members in the Private Aid to Navigation Program. (In the
works)
PATON06 - PATON SYSTEM TRAINING PRESENTATION (4/30/08) – This
presentation depicts the various discrepancies that are commonly observed on
Private Aids to Navigation. Use it as an annual review in PATON Workshops.
PATON07
- COMDTINST 16500.16A Coast Guard Auxiliary Aid to Navigation Program
(06-07-1995) PDF - Required reading for AV Candidates.
If the Private Aid to Navigation Program interests you, talk to your FSO-AN
or SO-AN. Each Flotilla and Division is encouraged to check each PATON that they
pass while underway for discrepancies. Now, there is provision to take credit
for your underway time and your AN Activity in AUXDATA whether or not you find a
discrepancy on a Private Aid to Navigation. You can start contributing quality
discrepancy reports to the Coast Guard in the time that it takes you to
familiarize yourself with this program’s forms, guidelines and procedures.
Checking Private Aids to Navigation is a seasonal activity in First Northern.
Generally, you need a boat to participate. New members are encouraged to contact
their SO-AN and join
their Division Auxiliary Aid to Navigation Teams. All we want is your skill,
knowledge, and your desire to make a difference.
ONLINE 7030
- Click here to fill out your mission hour form to receive credit for your PATON
work in AUXData use mission category 31 and submit to your FSO-IS
Documents you'll need:
Coast Pilots
Light Lists
Local Notice to Mariners
NOAA Chart 1
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