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The Navigation Systems (formerly Aids to Navigation, ATON) programs in the 8th Coastal Region covers a variety of Aids to Navigation on both the Gulf Coast and adjacent inland areas. One of the main functions of the Auxiliary Aids to Navigation program is to verify that all aids, Federal, Private and Bridges are present in their proper location and that lights and sound signals are operating properly. The program also covers functions that are not strictly Aids to Navigation. The following is a brief overview of these programs.

One area common to most boaters in the Coastal Region is the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) that runs from St. Marks on the Florida Big Bend west for 1300 miles to Brownsville, Texas at the Mexican border. This waterway passes through each Gulf Coast state and is a major avenue for freight this area. To safely move this volume of traffic requires that the waterway be well marked by Aids to Navigation (ATON) to properly identify the channel. Three other busy systems, the Mississippi River, the Tennessee-Tombigbee River and the Apalachicola Three Rivers system also cross the waterway.

These systems add many more aids to the Coastal Region both to mark their own channels, their crossings of the ICW and merging coastal waters. There is also an equal distance of coastal waters that have to be marked with ATONs to identify ports, channels, passes, harbors, etc. in order to safely move the recreational and commercial boat traffic that operate on these waters, both locally and from offshore. In addition to the Federal Aids, there are many Private Aids that have been placed in these waters to mark hazards to navigation, bridges, marinas and private channels. Auxiliary facilities are one of the primary resources for checking and reporting discrepancies to ATONs. You can now understand the extent and importance of the program.

In addition to Federal Waters, there are a number of inland waters that are natural waterways or dam impoundments that have ATONs provided by state or local agencies and The Corps of Engineers. Again, Auxiliary facilities are often the only or main verifiers of these aids.

The Chart Update Program has been revised and updated to improve the accuracy of the local charts that are so important to boaters. The new program promotes the concept that no one knows local waters better than boaters that patrol, cruise and fish on these waters frequently. Flotillas are therefore encouraged to adopt a local chart and as changes on the water occur, forward the information to NOAA to be incorporated on the next edition of the chart.

PQS: The current PQS for NS is found there, dated July 2011 and that is the only version that should be used to qualify future AV Verifiers. Once the PQS is completed, the AV candidate can scan or copy their PQS for their own records. The original is to be sent to the Division SO-NS for review and signature. The SO can scan or copy the document for their own records. The entire ORIGINAL PQS document is then sent by mail to the DSO-NS, and the SO will send an email to the DSO stating the date the document was mailed. I then review the PQS, sign off and scan and email the signature page to DIRAUX where it will entered into your record, and ribbons, certifications, letters will be sent to the Division Commanders for forwarding to the Flotilla. The entire original PQS is retained by the DSO-NS.

https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/lightlists/LightList_V4_2021.pdf
Light List Volume IV
Gulf of Mexico, Econfina River, Florida to the Rio Grande, Texas.
This Light List contains a list of lights, sound signals, buoys, daybeacons and other aids to navigation.

NS Forms: Always use the latest versions of the Navigation Systems forms. The ones most utilized are computer based and have drop downs requiring additional information. Be sure to practice with the form before beginning your verifications. The links to the forms and instructions are found below.

Form 7054 Aid to Navigation Report (This can be used as a Discrepancy Report or Verification Report)
Form 7055 Bridge Report (This can be used as a Discrepancy Report or Verification Report)
Form 77-5a NOAA NOAA's Nautical Discrepancy Report System