OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF AIDS TO NAVIGATION

I.PURPOSE:

A. This circular establishes he system in the maintenance and operation of aids to navigation.
B. It prescribes the policies and responsibilities of all personnel concerned

II.SCOPE:

This circular applies o all concerned in the performance operation and maintenance of aids to navigation.

III.DEINITIONS:

The following terms when used in this circular shall be construct to mean:

a. Lighthouse keeper-A PCG personnel detailed to operate and maintain a light station and stays at the LII dwelling.

b. Personnel In-Charge (PIC)-Any PCG personnel designated responsible for the light station in accordance with IIPCG Memo dated 11 March 96 PIC of unnamed LS has office at Coast Guard Districts or Coast Guard Stations.

c. District Aids to Navigation Office (DANO)-It is an office created at the CGD to implementation/supervises the necessary maintenance and operational measures for all aids to navigation under his Area of Responsibility (AOR).

d. Lighthouse/Light Station-A fixed structure fitted with lighting apparatus emits light of constant quality installed at the top of the tower which serves as the markers of land and veering points or confirming position of vessels.

IV.POLICIES:

A. Coast Guard District Commanders-shall have the administrative supervision and operational control of light station and other navigational aids.

B. A District Aids to Navigation Office (DANO) shall be organized in every Coast Guard District and will be manned by qualified military personnel.LIghtkeepers and utility C-worker. They will be under the administrative control of the district commander but under the operational control of the C,and:

C. Only (1) one light keepers will be assigned in a lightstation, PIC will be designated to

D. Assignment and reassignment of civilian personnel to and from the Coast Guard District shall be at IIPCG level as recommended by CANC.

E. Assignment and reassignment of military personnel o and from the light station shall be a by CANC.Aids to Navigation trained personnel should remain to perform Aids to Navigation functions for at least Three(3) years for officers and/or at least five (5)years.

F. HANC shall remain as the central and operating unit of the PCG in the establishment, development, modernization, administration, operation and major repair and maintenance of light station and other aids to navigation.

G. Asst. Chief of Staff for Navigational Safety (Cg-10) will be the central coordinating staff for Aids to Navigational.

H. No officer or personnel assigned or performing functions relating to Meteor burst Monitoring System shall be relieve, until such time the relieving counterpart has adequately learn the tasks.

V.RESPONSIBILITY:

A. Coast Guard District Commanders:

1. Responsible for the assignment of light keepers within the district level and apply HPCG Memorandum on Supervisors (UP) and Personnel-In-Charge (PIC)on lighthouses and other ATON equipment’s and accessories.(Refer to HPCG Memo dtd 11 Mar 1996).

2. Responsible for the organization of District Aids to Navigation Office (DANO)and fill-up of ATON personnel/manning,administrative,logistics,and operation requirements.

3. Responsible for the programming of logistic requirements and establishments of storage facility for equipment’s repair parts and other materials (Refer to appendix to annex 4)

4. Responsible for the formulation of accounting system and insure that non-expenditure items shall be accounted with signal Memorandum Receipts (MRs)

5. Develop and enhance technical expertise and repair and other personnel in the district.

6. Responsible for the operation and maintenance of lighthouse and other Aids to Navigation in their area of responsibility.

7. Supervise security of light station and other Aids to Navigation in their area of responsibility.

8. Render-monthly report on list of existing ATON (Annex 3).

B. District Aids to Navigation Officer:

1. Conduct periodic inspection and progressive maintenance services to ensure normal operation of all ATON equipment at all times.

2. Conduct trouble shooting and minor repair services to ATON on site.

3. Conduct inspection and determine condition of structure and serviceability of the light.

4. Conduct in house training on the maintenance of other ATON in Coast Guard District with HANC.

5. Manage the operation and maintenance of other ATON in Coast Guard District AOR.

6. Acquire, store and distribute spare parts and supplies to light station (Refer to Annex 4)

7. Determine the location/coordinates for proposed sited of LS.

8. Send defective are parts and equipment to HANC for repair/replacements

9. Inspect and monitor completion of installation on projects and repairs on structures, dwelling, and render report to District Commander and HANC.

10. Render the Monthly List of Existing ATON (annex 3)

C. Headquarters Aids to Navigational Command:

1. Render technical assistance, as needed to the Coast Guard District on matters the operation of all aids to navigation.

2. Conduct scheduled inspection on condition and actual situation of Aids to Navigation.

3. Conduct major repairs on the equipment and apparatus of lighthouses to include is towers and structures.

4. Conduct repairs, replacement and planning of navigational buoys.

5. Provide refresher courses and advance training to personnel of CG District ATON office/units and light keepers.

6. Conduct necessary repairs of defective apparatus, spare parts and equipment received from CG District ATON office/unit.

7. Determination, acquisition, storage and distribution of spare parts and apparatus o cognizant ATON end-users. (Refer to Annex 4)

8. In coordination with CG-1, responsible for the recruitment and assignment as well as rotation of lighthouse personnel to the District Command.

9. In coordination with CG-1, responsible for the personnel advancement and upgrading of lighthouse personnel/position.

10. Monitor the performance and operating status of lighthouses, beacon and buoys.

11. In coordination with other government agencies, plan, program and execute the establishment and acquisition of light stations, other aids navigation and equipment.

12. Render periodic reports to HPCG (Attn: CG-10).

D.STATION COMMANDERS;

1. Conduct periodic inspection of light station in respective AOR and render report to district level on matters to station and/or light keeper.

2. Conduct minor repair on LHs within its AOR.

3. Conduct ATON situation report by Rad MSG Form (Refer to Annex 1)

E.LIGHTKEEPER/PERSONNEL IN-CHARGE (PIC)

1. Responsible in the normal operation and maintenance of respective light station and other ATON.

2. Conduct daily inspection of respective light station or other ATON especially after a calamity.

3. Render report for any abnormal operation of light station or ATON (Refer to Annex 2)

4. Responsible for the security of light station of ATON.

5. Responsible for maintenance of LS site and reservation.

6. Conduct PMS/minor on his assigned light station.(Refer to Annex 4)

F.AC OF SS FOR NAVIGATIONAL SAFETY (CG-10)

1. Allocate funds, logistics and POL of Coast Guard District and Personnel requirement of District Aids to Navigational Office.

2. Evaluate, study and approve all recommendations for promotion, assignment, training and upgrading of pay allowances of LS personnel in accordance with existing policies.

3. Issue Notice to Mariners.

4. Evaluate and approve the establishment of new light stations,bouys,private aids to navigation and discontinuance of the operation of a chartered light stations as recommended by CGD.

6. REPORTING:

A. ATON Situation Report (Rad Msg/Annex 1).

This Report will be rendered by the Coast Guard Station Commander after being informed by the lighthouse keeper concerned on lighthouse situation report (Annex 2).It is rendered accordingly to upgrade/update the ATON Data System.

In this particular reporting system an initial report will be made filing up all the information as shown by the format in Annex 1.In the succeeding situation report, on the change of status shall be included in the radio message.

How to Render Report (After initial report): If the batteries of LS Bojeodor are defective, the message is as follows:

FM: SC, CGS CURRIMAO
TO: C7CGD
INFO: CPCG (ATTN: CG-10/CANC)
BT…
UNCLASS X CITE
AI/LS BOJEADOR
01/UASA/SOLAR BATT
02/6EA
X ATON SR 04 JUN 96 X

B.LS SITUATION REPORT (WRITTEN/ANNEX 2):

The LS Situation Report id rendered by LK/PIC whenever there is a change of lighthouse status as after servicing repair or any changes they may occur in the said lighthouse.

Filling of the information is similar to ATON Situation Report Rad Message; Refer to annex 2.This will be the basis of ATON Situation Report by the cognizant CG Station.

C. List of Existing ATON (ANNEX 3):

This is a monthly report rendered by the Coast Guard Districts to the Headquarters Philippine Coast Guard (Attn: CG_10) with a copy furnished to Commander, Aids to Navigation Command. It is a coordination report on all Aids to Navigation in the district’s AOR.

This particular report shall be made every end of the month to reach headquarters not later than the 7th day the succeeding month. (Annex 3)

7. RECESSION CLAUSE;

All circulars and policies inconsistent with this circular are hereby rescinded.

8. EFFECTIVITY;

This Circular shall take effect upon publication.

BY COMMAND OF COMMODORE CAPADA;

JOSE G GARCIA
CAPT PN (GSC)
Chief of Staff, PCG

OFFICIAL;

(SGD)
PEDRO V TINAMPAY
LT PN
Coast Guard Adjutant