ACN 010/22 - FEB 2022 TRANSITION TO PAPERLESS NAVIGATION FOR BOAT FORCES UNITS

R 151430Z FEB 22
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST COMDT NOTICE
BT
UNCLAS
ACN 010/22
SSIC 3530
SUBJ: TRANSITION TO PAPERLESS NAVIGATION FOR BOAT FORCES UNITS
A. U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Standards Manual, COMDTINST
M3530.2F
1. Purpose: In 2021, the Office of Boat Forces (CG-731) initiated an
operational test and evaluation, using six diverse units, to pilot a
new policy for paperless navigation. The pilot resulted in favorable
results and most importantly, provided risk mitigation strategies
for service-wide implementation. As a result, Boat Forces units are
approved to transition to paperless navigation in accordance with
REF (A). In approving this new navigational environment, the
Commandant is accepting strategic organizational risk that will
require a cultural buy-in and actions from COs and OICs to ensure
safe navigation and maintain the safety of their boat crews.
2. Background: In 2019, NOAA announced the coordination of a five-
year sun-setting raster/paper navigation chart initiative. The first
chart was cancelled in August of 2021. This five-year timeline was
established to provide the opportunity to assess and transition to
primarily electronic navigational charts. To assist in this effort,
a Boat Forces Paperless Navigation Workgroup was convened in 2020.
The workgroup evaluated the capabilities and risks of transitioning
to a paperless navigation environment within the Boat Forces
community.
3. Action: To transition to paperless navigation, COs/OICs shall
report they are meeting the transition requirements via memo to
COMDT (CG-731). COMDT (CG-731) approval will certify that the unit
and its assigned boats meet all requirements and are authorized for
paperless navigation. All requirements for paperless navigation, a
sample memo and a list of units approved for paperless navigation
are stored at:
(Copy and paste below URL into browser)

https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/cg751/NAV/Forms/AllItems.aspx?Root
Folder=%2Funits%2Fcg751%2FNAV%2FPaperless%20Navigation%2FBoat%20
Forces%20Units%20Transition%20to%20Paperless%20Nav&FolderCTID=0x012
000136BDFEE604C374DAFE50A83252B5239&View=%7bC1C3A91A-6A73-4D94-B258-
61B983A0E319%7d

For boats equipped with SINS I, units shall maintain a portfolio of
the latest available edition raster/paper charts for their area of
responsibility (AOR). These charts shall be stored in a dry location
until boats are fully transitioned to SINS II. Corrections, command
-approved track-lines, and other raster/paper chart requirements are
not required.
4. Guidance: Mastery of our craft makes it critical that COs/OICs
ensure their crews are well-versed in fundamental navigation
concepts, and highly proficient in electronic navigation. Boat
Forces units shall develop crews that are highly competent in AOR
knowledge and vastly skilled in navigating by the use of SINS and
seaman's eye.
5. Policy Update: The Coast Guard has contracted different
organizations to provide electronic chart updates for SINS I and
SINS II equipped boats. The following additional guidance is
provided for Boat Forces units transitioning to paperless navigation
and will be incorporated in the next revision of REF (A):
a. Electronic charts are considered corrected when:
1) SINS I is corrected within the last six months.
2) SINS II is corrected within 30 days of the last approved
update, but does not exceed 120 days.
b. In the event that SINS I electronic charts are out of date,
COs/OICs may authorize use of SINS I as primary means of navigation
in accordance with REF (A).
c. For units approved for paperless navigation, the electronic
navigational charts master portfolio catalog shall be reviewed every
six months.
d. For units approved for paperless navigation, the following
boat navigation kit items will be required:
1) Penlight with red lens (QTY: 1EA).
2) Stopwatch with second hand or digital (QTY: 1EA).
3) Course and Leg Identifier for SAR (QTY: 1EA).
4) Marker (QTY: 1EA).
5) Notepad (QTY: 1EA).
6) #2 Pencil (QTY: as needed).
7) Pencil sharpener (QTY: 1EA).
6. These changes will be incorporated into the next revision of
REF (A), which will be released within the next year.
7. This message will be cancelled on 09 FEB 2023.
8. POC: LT Eduardo J. Oropeza, COMDT (CG-7311), (202) 372-2469.
9. Released by Lisa R. Schleder-Kirkpatrick, Deputy Assistant
Commandant for Capability (CG-7).
10. Internet release is authorized.