ACN 138/21 - DEC 2021 ATON UPDATE - GILMAN IONOMER FOAM BUOY WEIGHTS

R 131852Z DEC 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST COMDT NOTICE
BT
UNCLAS
ACN 138/21
SSIC 16500
SUBJ: ATON UPDATE - GILMAN IONOMER FOAM BUOY WEIGHTS
A. Aids to Navigation Manual - Technical, COMDTINST M16500.3A
1. This ACN announces an update to the weights of the Gilman Corp
Ionomer Foam buoys listed in Chapter 2 of REF (A).
2. During the MISHAP Analysis Board (MAB) investigation of a recent
Trailerable Aids to Navigation Boat (TANB) capsizing, the MAB
discovered that both the 5CFR and 5NFR Gilman Corp buoys carried
aboard the MISHAP boat exceeded the published weights in REF (A).
The increased weights put the MISHAP boat in an overloaded
condition, which was determined to have not caused the MISHAP,
but likely added additional instability to the boat.
3. Post-MAB research by the Waterways Operations Product Line (WOPL)
determined the published weights of Gilman Corp buoys in REF (A) are
no longer accurate. All classes of Gilman Corp buoys are heavier
than the weights published in REF (A). Gilman Corp reports that
these increased weights are a result of variances in the
densification of the Ionomer foam use in the manufacturing process.
Gilman Corp buoys continue to comply with all Coast Guard
specifications. They provide the ATON program with an excellent
non-ferrous buoy option and will remain in Coast Guard service.
4. WOPL is currently working on an initiative to replace REF (A)
with a series of Configuration Standard Technical Orders (CSTOs).
The target date for completion is Dec 2022. WOPL will identify the
appropriate CSTO in which to incorporate the Gilman Corp foam buoy
weights. Until then, WOPL will maintain a table of current Gilman
Corp buoy weights on the WOPL Portal site:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/silc/CE%20Product%20Lines/WW/
ATON%20Document%20Library/Forms/AllItems.aspx?RootFolder=%2Funits
%2Fsilc%2FCE%20Product%20Lines%2FWW%2FATON%20Document%20Library%2
FBuoy%20Data&FolderCTID=0x012000F771711C7EC1D34F9CB889BCA35924EE&
View=%7bD2976730%201EF9%204AF1%209AD3%20CD9B06ABF406%7d

These posted weights supersede the weights listed on the
individual buoy type technical data sheets in chapter 2 of REF (A).
ATON units shall immediately use these new weights when calculating
cargo weights on ATON cutters and boats. These increased weights
can be especially critical when loading TANB or smaller ATON boats
or when lifting smaller buoys by hand.
5. Units shall keep a copy of this message in the front of REF (A),
or stored in units' electronic library, and share with all crew
members involved in the ATON mission.
6. These changes will be made to the next revision of REF (A), which
will be released within the next year.
7. This message will be cancelled on 12 DEC 2022.
8. POC: Mr. Sean McEvoy (WOPL), 202-475-5626 or
Sean.P.Mcevoy@uscg.mil.
9. Released by Mr. Michael Emerson, Director, Marine Transportation
Systems (CG-5PW).
10. Internet release is authorized.