Shallow Draft Waterways Survey
Coast Guard seeks public comment on shallow draft waterway navigation system
The US Coast Guard is conducting a Waterways Analysis and Management System Study on the Shallow Draft System (waters less than 12 feet deep), to update its policies and make navigable waterways of the United States safer and more efficient.
“Our waterways have become increasingly congested and complex,” states the USCG announcement. “While the number and size of the vessels traveling through the U.S. Marine Transportation System has increased, the number and in some cases size of U.S. navigation corridors has not. The recreational boating industry has also seen steady growth over the last decade further congesting the waterways.”
To address these changes and determine navigation requirements for the Shallow Draft Waterway System, the Coast Guard is soliciting feedback from local maritime partners and stakeholders that operate on the affected waterways.
The study’s purpose is to determine the navigational needs and requirements of vessels operating in shallow-draft navigable waterways throughout the country. The study will focus on the existing shallow-water Aids to Navigation system, future development projects, waterborne commerce transiting these waters, and marine casualty information.
The CG invites waterway users, interested parties and stakeholders to provide comments or feedback via the tool posted at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ShallowWaterWAMS. This link will remain available until November 1, 2020. You also email questions or comments to [email protected]. Use the subject line “Shallow Draft WAMS.”
Thanks for this heads up Christine. I went and submitted a survey reply right away. Now if we could just get the Feds to dredge…
Dredging needed off Hayden Island in the Columbia River . I cannot leave marina unless at least a 2 ft high tide. I draw 6.5 ft 36 ‘ sailboat.
Replace the channel markers between Puget island and the Washington shore, Cathlamet, WA. It was marked and a few years ago they removed the navaids. Sailboats need the aids to follow the winding channel.
The entrance to Tomahawk/Salpare Bay has needed to be dredged ever since Columbia Crossings pumped sand out of Tomahawk Marina right out in front of the entrance. There are sandbars all over out there!