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DISTRICT EIGHTH WESTERN RIVERS

AID VERIFICATION PROGRAM

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 Internet Training for Aid Verifiers
Classification of Discrepancies and Reporting Actions Required

 

Last updated: 10 AUG 2006

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INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

The following material on the classification and associated reporting procedures applies to all aids, private or Coast Guard, and to bridge lighting systems unless stated otherwise.

Discrepancies should always be reported unless the Auxiliarist is absolutely certain that a report has already been made (as reflected by a Broadcast or Local Notice to Mariners).

In every case, a written report should be filed and, if the discrepancy was reported via radio or telephone, the written report should include the specifics about that contact. Fields are included on all forms for that information.

Written discrepancy reports should be filed using either the Aids to Navigation Report form CG-5474 (ANSC #7054) or (Aid Verifiers only) the preprinted verification worksheets for private aids and bridges.


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CLASSIFICATION OF DISCREPANCIES

The classification of a discrepancy:

  • Is established by the Coast Guard on a nationwide basis but may be altered by the district in order to meet the needs and safety requirements of the district
  • Dictates the reporting procedures to be followed.

Discrepancies are classified as (and carry reporting requirements of):

  • CRITICAL

    Which must be reported immediately to the appropriate Sector (Sector Upper Mississippi River or Sector Lower Mississippi River) usually via VHF marine radio and followed up with a written report at the conclusion of the mission. If the Group cannot be reached by radio, report via telephone as soon as practical.

  • URGENT

    Which should be reported the same day by telephone to the appropriate Sector, or (for Coast Guard aids) by radio or telephone to the AOR cutter if it is in the area, and followed up with a written report at the conclusion of the mission.

  • ROUTINE

    Which should be reported by mail (written report) at the conclusion of the mission.


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CRITICAL DISCREPANCIES

The classification of CRITICAL includes the following discrepancies:

  1. Any extinguished light on a Federal aid, on a private aid, or on a bridge lighting system
  2. Anything that affects the signal or published description of a Federal aid or a private aid including missing dayboards and mile boards, defective fog signals, RACONS
  3. Any aid damaged by collision or deemed to be a hazard to navigation or obstruction to navigation including collapsed bridges, damaged fenders, and cables or other hardware hanging into the channel
  4. Federal aids totally covered or shrouded in ice
  5. Federal aids totally obscured or showing improper characteristics / rhythm
  6. Federal aids showing signs of vandalism
  7. Buoys (where considered as hazards to navigation): off-station, submerged or sheared off at the water line, adrift, missing, capsized, etc.
  8. Radio beacon off the air or giving improper characteristics


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URGENT DISCREPANCIES

The classification of URGENT includes the following discrepancies :

  1. Federal aids with DIM (reduced intensity) lights
  2. Federal aids that are partially obscured
  3. Federal aids with dayboards that are faded, delaminating, or damaged by other than vandalism
  4. Retro-reflective material: faded, missing, inadequate
  5. Sound signal failure
  6. Radio beacon timing sequence incorrect


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ROUTINE DISCREPANCIES

The classification of ROUTINE includes the following discrepancies :

  1. Private aids that are obscured
  2. Light fixtures or daymarks leaning more than 15-degrees
  3. Wooden structures deteriorating, rotting
  4. Structural guy wires and cables: slack, weak, broken
  5. Bird nests and bird fouling on aid
  6. Mile boards obliterated, unreadable
  7. Missing or damaged radar reflectors
  8. Paint peeling or faded
  9. All other discrepancies including Light List discrepancies

 

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