SECTION I – SPECIAL NOTES
CAUTION TO BE USED IN RELIANCE UPON AIDS TO NAVIGATION
The aids to navigation depicted on charts comprise a system of fixed and floating aids with varying degrees of reliability. Therefore, prudent mariners will not rely solely on any single aid to navigation, particularly a floating aid. With respect to buoys, the buoy symbol is used to indicate the approximate position of the buoy body and the sinker, which secures the buoy to the seabed. The approximate position is used because of practical limitations in positioning and maintaining buoys and their sinkers in precise geographical locations. These limitations include, but are not limited to, inherent imprecision’s in position fixing methods, prevailing atmospheric and sea conditions, the slope of and the material making up the seabed, the fact that buoys are moored to sinkers by varying lengths of chain, and the fact that buoy body and/or sinker positions are not under continuous surveillance but are normally checked only during periodic maintenance visits which often occur more than a year apart. The position of the buoy body can be expected to shift inside and outside the charting symbol due to the forces of nature. The mariner is also cautioned that buoys are liable to be carried away, shifted, capsized, sunk, etc. Lighted buoys may be extinguished or sound signals may not function as the result of ice, running ice or other natural causes, collisions, or other accidents. For the foregoing reasons, a prudent mariner must not rely completely upon the position or operation of floating aids to navigation, but will also utilize bearings from fixed objects and aids to navigation on shore. Further, a vessel attempting to pass close aboard always risks collision with a yawing buoy or with the obstruction the buoy marks.
U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY – PUBLIC EDUCATION CLASSES – FIND BY ZIPCODE
The National Public Education Calendar Database provides a sing, unified national database that holds and displays all public education courses taught by our various flotillas nationwide. In addition, a Zip Code search permits members of the general public to enter a Zip Code of interest and find all public education courses being taught within a selected distance from that Zip Code. cgaux.org/boatinged/class_finder/index.php
CANCELLATION OF NOAA PAPER AND RASTER NAUTICAL CHARTS***
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is undertaking a multi-year program to end production and maintenance of its suite of over 1,000 traditional paper nautical charts and all associated raster char products and services, including: Print-On-Demand (POD) paper charts, Full-size chart PDF files, BookletChart PDF files, NOAA raster navigational charts (NOAA RNC), the NOAA RNC tile service, and the online RNC viewer.
Six months notice of the intent to cancel a specific chart is provided in a “Last Edition” notice. The final cancellation of a chart is made in a “Canceled” notice. Both types of notices will appear in the LNM Section IV, “Chart Correction.” A comprehensive list of all canceled NOAA charts is available at” charts.noaa.gov/MCD/Dole, shtml.
Traditional paper nautical chart production is ending to enable the creation and maintenance of larger scale, more up-to-date, higher quality coverage or NOAA’s electronic navigational chart (NOAA ENC) product. This will significantly enhance the amount of charted detail available to mariners. More information avout NOAA’s program to sunset traditional paper charter is on the NOAA Coast Survey website at: nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/charts/farewell-to-traditional-nautical.html
An online NOAA Custom Chart application at devgis.chartrools.noaa.gov/pod is available to create chart images from ENC data, which may then be printed. Notices to Mariners will not be issued for NOAA Custom Charts.
SAFETY NOTICE – NAVIGATIONAL RANGE AND SECTOR LIGHTS ON ELECTRONIC CHARTS
The U.S. Coast Guard has become aware that the Range and Sector Light Characteristic labels are not displayed on Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC) when used in an Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) due to limitations of the S-52 ECDIS display specification. Mariners may query the ENC data directly within ECDIS or refer to the Light List for complete information on Range and Sector Light Characteristics.
SECTION II – DISCREPANCIES (FEDERAL AIDS)
Block Island Northeast Whistle Buoy 5 missing/hazard to navigation
Block Island Wind Farm WTG-3 Fog Horn Structure Inoperable August 24, 2022
NEBW Daybeacon 8- Structure Destroyed first reported June 23, 2021
Bristol Harbor Daybeacon 6A Daymark Missing first reported October 5, 2022
Bristol Harbor East Channel Buoy 5 Off Station and a Hazard to Navigation first reported October 5, 2022
Bristol Harbor West Channel Buoy 1 Off Station first reported February 23, 2022
Braga Bridge Sound Signal missing as of January 11, 2023
Quonset Point Terminal Approach Buoy EB-B Missing first reported July 29, 2022
Pawcatuck River Channel Daybeacon 19 Missing first reported May 19, 2021
SECTION III – TEMPORARY CHANGES AND TEMPORARY CHANGES CORRECTED
URI Coastal Monitoring Lighted Research Buoy Discontinued September 23, 2020
Pawcatuck River Channel Daybeacon Buoy 23 Discontinued for Dredging June 3, 2020
SECTION V – ADVANCE NOTICES – NONE
NOTE: A list of cancelled NOAA charts is at www.charts.noaa.gov/MCD/Dole.shtml
SECTION VI – PROPOSED CHANGES
CHARTS 12300, 12354, 13205, 12372, 13209, 13212- NY – Block Island Sound and Gardiner’s Bay –The US Coast Guard is considering making the following changes and looking for public comment: Comments to USCG welcome in writing.
REMOVE the RACON and WHISTLE from Valiant Rock Lighted Whistle Buoy 11 and ADD an AIS signal to the aid.
SECTION VII – GENERAL NOTICES IN RHODE ISLAND WATERS
RI- NEWPORT-GOULD ISLAND
Naval Undersea Warfare Center will be conducting continued testing using surface and subsurface devices north and east of Gould Island in the vicinity of the torpedo test range restricted area marked on NOAA Chart 13223 and the Newport Bridge Monday- Friday from Jan 2023 through December 2023. Mariners are requested to cooperate with the participating vessels for the safety of all. Any concerned traffic can contact Navy support craft on VHF channels 13 and 16.
RI-NARRAGANSETT BAY–MT HOPE BAY–Vessel Testing-Update 10/24/2022 Regent Craft Inc. will be testing a prototype wing-in-ground-effect (WIG) craft in Narragansett Bay and Mt. Hope Bay from July 2022 until May 31, 2023. The testing areas include the waters of Narragansett Bay. East and West of Prudence Island Testing of the prototype will last approximately 2-4 hours, Monday through Friday with occasional tests on weekends and occur during the daylight hours only. All mariners are advised to use caution when transiting through these areas and avoid these areas if possible while testing is ongoing to deconflict traffic conditions. The vessel can be reached on VHF channels 13/16. For more information, please contact the USCG Sector Southeast New England at 508 457-3211.
RI – Dyer Island
There is a partially submerged vessel in position 41-34-54.78N and 071-18-6.48W, in the vicinity of Dyer Island being marked by a white danger buoy. Mariners are urged to transit at their slowest safe speed, avoid the vessel, and proceed with caution.
RHODE ISLAND SHOALING
RI-NARRAGANSETT BAY (CHART 13221)-GREENWICH BAY-WARWICK COVE
Shoaling has been observed within the federal navigation channel to a least depth of 3 Feet MLW. Shoaling is encroaching from the west and has impacted the western part of the channel, reducing the authorized project width from approximately 150 feet to approximately 90 feet between Warwick Cove Buoy 3 (LLNR 1936) and Warwick Cove Buoy 7 (LLNR 19375). Chart 13224 first noticed January 2022
RI-BLOCK ISLAND SOUND AND APPROACHES (CHART 13205)-POINT JUDITH POND
Shoaling has been observed within the channel to a least depth of 5.5 feet MLW in approximate position 41-22-48N and 071-33-55W between Pt. Judith Pond Channel Buoy 2 (LLNR 19555) and Pt. Judith Channel Buoy 4 (LLNR 19560). Shoaling is encroaching from the East Side of the channel and protruding West. Chart 13219 first reported in February 2022.
RI-NARRAGANSETT BAT (CHART 13221)-MOUNT HOPE BAY-KICKAMUIT RIVER
Shoaling has been reported in the Kickamuit River in the vicinity of Kickamuit River Buoy 2. Mariners are advised to proceed with caution while transiting the area. Chart 13221 first reported in December 2021.
SUMMARY OF ONGOING DREDGING AND MARINE CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
RI 0 NEWPORT- GOULD ISLAND
Naval Undersea Warfare Center will be conducting continued testing using surface and subsurface devices north and east of Gould Island in the vicinity of the torpedo test range are marked on NOAA Chart 13223 and the Newport Bridge Monday – Friday from Jan 2023 through December 2023. Mariners are requested to cooperate with participating vessel for safety od all. Any concerned traffic can contact Navy support craft on VHF channels 13 and 16
RI- PROVIDENCE RIVER-SEEKONK RIVER- Bridge and Fender Demolition
The United States Army Corp of Engineers, New England District, and the J.F. Brennan Company Inc. are demolishing the remaining structure of the India Point Railroad Bridge over the Seekonk River in East Providence. Work will take place from 2/1/2023 and continue until 5/15/2023. Crane barge, materials barges, vessels & dive operations will be operating IVO the bridge for removal of the fender foundations. Mariners are urged to transit at their slowest safe speed to minimize wake and proceed with extreme caution after passing arrangement have been made. Work Hours are 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Project operations will monitor VHF channels 13 and 16. Questions or concerns may be directed to the Project Manager, Michael McCloy at 608 797-8725. Mariners should use caution when transiting the area.
RI- PROVIDENCE RIVER- SEAWALL REPAIRS – The Narragansett Electric Company and JF Brennan Company are performing repairs to the Seawall Bulkhead in Providence: 41-48-00.3N and 071-23-31.3W. Work will take place from March 14, 2022 to April 1, 2023. A Crane Spud Barge, A Materials Barge, Work Floats and Marine Vessels operating in the Work Area, defined below, to perform demolition activities on the existing seawall and install a new sheet pile wall. Work house are from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Project operations will monitor VHF Channels 13 and 16 during work house. Questions or concerns may be directed to the Project Manager, Kristian Theriault at 401 378-1876 (kristian.theriault@nationalgrid.com). Mariners should use caution when transiting the area.
Chart 13225 First reported March 2022
RHODE ISLAND – SEEKONK RIVER – HENDERSON BRIDGE – Bridge Construction – Rhode Island DOT is constructing the new Henderson Bridge over the Seekonk River between Providence and East Providence. From February 22, 2023, to March 22,2023, multiple crane- mounted barges and support vessels will block the main navigation channel 24 hour per day. Span 5 to the east of the main navigational channel will also be blocked. Span 3 to the west of the main navigational channel will be open for transits with water depths less than those in the navigation span. The alternate channel through span 3 will be marker by lighted temporary buoys. Construction barges will be marker with white lights at night. A Providence police boat will be on-scene during work hours to assist in passage. Vessel operators can reach the Police boat and work vessels on VHF CH 13/16. Questions may be directed to the RI DOT Resident Engineer, Michael Swift at 401-265-5281 or the Barletta Project Team at (617) 839-62015 or 7810 364-0952. Vessel operators should exercise caution and proceed at slow speed.
Chart 13224 February 22, 2023 (CGD1)
REPORTED UNEXPLODED ORDANCE (UXO)
The Coast Guard advertises this information through local, Sector Broadcast Notice to Mariners (BNMs) and through the weekly, First Coast Guard District LNM. BNMs are additionally available directly to mariners by email sign-up at the CG Navigation Center Web Site (Subscribe to Our RSS Feeds | Navigation Center (uscg.gov). Once identified NOAA will then chart the UXO location so they are available on electronic navigation chart updates. Information on proper reporting and safety procedures for UXOs can be found at the following link: Home – DENIX (osd.mil)
RI- NARRANGANSETT BAY – WEST PASSAGE – UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE- UPDATE 9/2/2022
Sixteen (16) unexploded ordnances have been located via survey in Narragansett Bay – West Passage in positions:
(1.) 41-27-7.68N 071-24-35.64W; (2.) 41-27-25.74N 071-24-38.94W; (3.) 41-27-33.60N 071-24-38.34W
(4.) 41-24-49.80N 071-22-58.14W (5.) 41-26-40.32N 071-24-42.54W (6.) 41-26-34.44N 071-24-8.22W; (7.) 41-26-00.18N 071-24-30.48W; (8.) 41-28-00.96N 071-24-28.68W; (9.) 41-24-43.74N 071-214.44W; (10.) 41-24-56.52N 071-21-59.64W; (11.) 41-24-52.62N 071-23-43.62W; (12.) 41-27-38.880N 071-24-6.978W; (13.) 41-26-4.324N 071-24-30.591W; (14.) 41-27-36.236N 071-24-37.026N; (15.)41-26-44.709N 071-24-38.974W; (16.) 41-24-45.927N 071-21-39.508W. Mariners are urged to avoid the ordnances and transit the area with caution.
ATLANTIC OCEAN- 22 MILES SOUTHEST OF BLOCK ISLAND – UNEXPLODED ORDINANCE
An unexploded ordinance has been located via survey in 22 miles southeast of Block Island, position 41.58.32.182N and 071.11.13.534W, in approximately depth of 54 meters (see chartlet). Mariners are urged to avoid the ordinance and transit the area with caution.
For additional information call
U.S. Army Technical Center for Explosives Safety at (918) 420-8919
or see
the US Army’s UXO Safety Education website www.denix.osd.mil/uxo
