Background
In years past, periodical field inspections of the areas covered by the U.S. Coast Pilot were conducted by Coast Survey Marine Information Specialists, to verify or update Coast Pilot information. Due to shortages in funding and personnel, proper field inspections of the coast have not been conducted for several years. On occasion this may have resulted in some rather obvious omissions or, conversely, something referred to in the Coast Pilot no longer exists. To help rectify this situation, we are imploring the assistance of the general public to help correct such deficiencies.
General Information
Generally, information is obtained by field inspectors in two ways. One, is by interviewing individuals with local knowledge of a situation or place and the second is by personal observations. The time, place, who, if anyone was interviewed along with their remarks is carefully noted. Handwritten corrections may be made in the wide margin, on the back of a page or placed on a separate sheet and inserted. The place in the text to which each entry refers should be clearly indicated by a leader, an arrow, or some other clear, unmistakable manner. The Coast Pilot Report (NOAA Form 77-6) is located in the back of all U.S. Coast Pilot, and should be filled out by the field inspector to facilitate the Coast Pilot Section in making the necessary corrections. Other NOAA forms that may be used are: USCG AUX.-NOS Cooperative Chart Updating Program (NOAA Form 77-5) and USPS-NOS Cooperative Charting Program (NOAA Form 77-4).
Special Information
It should be noted that during a field inspection, the size, type, and number of vessels using a particular area must be taken into account. If an area has grown in importance, i.e. if there is more traffic then there used to be, then a more detailed description of the area will be in order. Areas of interest to the mariner should include; but not be limited to the following: aids to navigation, anchorages, bridges, channel descriptions, dangers to navigation, special tidal considerations, geographic names, wrecks, ferries, cable ferries and special landmarks.
Coast Pilot Reports may be submitted by mail to:
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