PATON Private Aids to Navigation Program

 

First Northern on-line PATON System
(Click on this link to access the PATON system. However, you will need an access code to use the system.)

The Navigation System’s Private Aid to Navigation program (PATON) encourages the observing of discrepancies on any Private Aid to Navigation by every B-Q’ed Auxiliarist during the permitted time periods (duration) when these aids are deployed, and for submitting professional (manually-generated) discrepancy reports to the Coast Guard. It also calls for the scheduled verification of Private Aids to Navigation by qualified Auxiliary AV-Aid Verifiers at the direction of the Coast Guard, and for the professional on-line report preparation using the Web-Based PATON System (Harbormaster) and the on-line transmission of these reports to the Coast Guard. Please note that there is a major qualification difference between these two activities.

Guidelines for the Private Aid - PATON Verification program . . .

The emphasis on the AV program is on prevention, accuracy, credibility, professionalism and service to the Coast Guard. Our focus in First Northern is directed toward building the recognition of each Auxiliary AV-Aid Verifier as a highly competent observer and reporter in the eyes of the Coast Guard. Guidelines for Aid Verifier qualifications have been established. These guidelines include the taking and reporting of fixes and depths, the pre-underway and on-scene evaluation of the electronic equipment being used, high quality on-scene observations, and professional on-line verification report preparation. Fixes are taken with GPS sets using WAAS or DGPS, depths are corrected to the charted vertical datum, physical measurements, photographs, and the comparison of all observations to the Light List, the Coast Pilot and to the applicable NOAA Nautical Chart are included in the verification process.

New PATON training and reporting tools are provided for download to your home computer.
 

D1 PATON Program Policy

Reporting Standards: Fixes   Depth   Photo

NS-PN01 PATON PROGRAM HAND OUT
Use this handout to promote the PATON - Private Aid to Navigation program with your members.

NS-PN02 33CFR-CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS
This excerpt from the Code of Federal Regulations is full of information about the various classes of Private Aids to Navigation and the rules governing private aids.

NS-PN03 D1NR AID VERIFIER QUALIFICATION TRAINING PROGRAM Click here to go to the AV Training Program section of this web page where you will find the AV Qualification Guide, an AV Workshop format and various PowerPoint training presentations that can be used in AV workshops or as self training exercises.

NS-PN04 7054 - PRIVATE AID TO NAVIGATION REPORT Download this EXCEL form and keep copies in your NAV Kit for use when observing discrepancies on a Private Aid to Navigation. Also, this is a great tool for documenting Non-Permitted Private aids—aids that are not authorized by the Coast Guard. If you don’t have access to a computer, use this form to complete your verification report and mail or e-mail them to your ADSO-NS or NS Coast Guard liaison for input to the Web-Based PATON System and transmission to the Coast Guard.

NS-PN05 PRIVATE AID TO NAVIGATION TRAINING PRESENTATION (PowerPoint) – This presentation depicts the various discrepancies that are commonly observed on Private Aids to Navigation. Use it for an annual review in a PATON Workshop or for self-training purposes.

NS-PN06 WEB-BASED PATON SYSTEM TRAINING GUIDE This guide provides the latest screen-by-screen information on the operation of the Web-Based PATON System (Harbormaster) used in First Northern. It takes you through the initial registering process to the verification of the private aid and the report to the ANT Chief. This is an on-line system that is accessed with your home personal computer. The basic aids to navigation training programs found on the Federal Short Range Aid to Navigation Web Page are also part of AV-Aid Verifier training. You will need an access code to use this system and you must be AV Qualified to perform verifications on private aids.

NS-PN07 NON-PERMITTED PATON REPORT Use this form to report non-permitted private aids. Note, that without the name and
a means to contact the owner, the Coast Guard may be at a loss to contact anyone who can get this problem resolved. Non-permitted aid problems are only resolved when the owner submits a 2554 application for a permit to DPW-1(First District Prevention – Waterways). Reports of non-permitted aids are usually initiated by Non-Permitted PATON reports to the Coast Guard submitted by Auxiliary AVs who are knowledgeable in the areas where these aids are located.

NS-PN08 US COAST GUARD AID TO NAVIGATION MANUAL – CHAPTER 5 – Non Coast Guard Maintained Aids Read this information as background information on private aids. This section was excerpted from the Coast Guard Aid to Navigation Manual.

ONLINE 7030 ACTIVITY REPORT MISSION - INDIVIDUAL Click here to fill out your mission hour form in order to receive Auxiliary recognition for your PATON activity in AUXDATA. Use mission category 31 for PATONs and e-mail your report to your IS Staff Officer. The overall impact of the Auxiliary Private Aid to Navigation Program depends on your input to the AUXDATA System. Please take the time to make these important reports.

Checking private aids to navigation is half seasonal and half an annual Auxiliary activity in First Northern. Generally, you will need an Auxiliary OPFAC-operational facility in order to verify the floating aids. However, there are many PATONs that can be verified by land. There are over 5,000 private aids to navigation within the First District.

If you think that the Private Aid to Navigation Program may interest you, talk to your FSO-NS or SO-NS about becoming AV-Aid Verifier qualified. Upon qualification as an AV, you will be assigned specific PATONs to verify and Bridges to survey. After you have registered on the Web-Based PATON System, you will be assigned an access code for the system. You may elect to submit manual verification reports or to report via the on-line system. In either case, you will be contributing vital information to the Coast Guard.