Virtual ATONs?

[Greenhand]

This article talks about not replacing ATONs, since ya'know, everyone has electronics anyway...

The Log Newspaper | California Boating & Fishing News - San-Diego-buoy-sinks--sparks-debate-over-navigational-aid-options

[MarkJ]

Do a costing on a floating blob Measuring 8 feet in diameter and 26 feet in length, weighing 5,000 pounds against the cost of a remote electronic blob.

Now count all the bouys in San Deigo and add them to all the bouys in the USA. Thats a lot of monry you coukd spend in childrens education, health or welfare programs.

Sure there are lots that need to be kept, but lots around the world that can be replaced

[denverd0n]

No, neither the Coast Guard nor NOAA has expressed any interest in, or intent to, "replace" buoys with virtual ATONs. What they are looking into doing is using a virtual ATON as a temporary aid, when a buoy goes missing, until they are able to physically replace it. They can create a virtual ATON within seconds, where replacing a missing buoy can take weeks. They understand perfectly well that not all boaters carry AIS, but something is better than nothing.

A completely different and unrelated issue, in this particular case, is the question of whether or not this specific buoy is really worthwhile and needs to be replaced. That has nothing to do--despite the apparent confusion here--with any desire, on anyone's part, to permanently replace necessary buoys with virtual ATONs.

[cal40john]

Edit: Didn't catch this until I read Enclosure 6 carefully:
"or to convey an aid to navigation that has yet to be charted."
So sounds like Denver is right, but you have to read the fine print. Everything about creating the virtual ATON said nothing about it being only virtual until a physical one was in place.



I think they are interested in virtual ATONS.

I can't find the LNM that shows it has already been deployed, but go to
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/

Position:
48.11306 / -122.6612

and you will find a virtual ATON on a live AIS map.



From:
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/lnms/lnm13122014.pdf

WASHINGTON – ADMIRALTY INLET - Virtual AIS position Puget Sound Traffic Separation Lane “SB” to be created

The U.S. Coast Guard will be creating a Virtual AIS (Automatic Identification System) identifier at the following position in Admiralty Inlet:

Puget Sound Traffic Separation Lane V-AIS “SB” (LLNR 16502) in position: 48-06-47.016N 122-29-40.428W

The Virtual AIS message will not correspond to any physical buoy but will be broadcasted from an AIS Base Station to coincide with the position listed
above. Vessels with AIS capable systems will be able to see the symbology and other information on their displays. For more information about AIS,
Mariners should read enclosure (6) to this Local Notice to Mariners and/or go to the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center website page
Automatic Identification System Overview

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by denverd0n

No, neither the Coast Guard nor NOAA has expressed any interest in, or intent to, "replace" buoys with virtual ATONs. What they are looking into doing is using a virtual ATON as a temporary aid, when a buoy goes missing, until they are able to physically replace it. They can create a virtual ATON within seconds, where replacing a missing buoy can take weeks. They understand perfectly well that not all boaters carry AIS, but something is better than nothing.

A completely different and unrelated issue, in this particular case, is the question of whether or not this specific buoy is really worthwhile and needs to be replaced. That has nothing to do--despite the apparent confusion here--with any desire, on anyone's part, to permanently replace necessary buoys with virtual ATONs.

Lighthouse and buoy age authorities are all either evaluating virtual AtoNs or in some case actually using then , i.e. Trinity house in the UK.

³ Virtual AIS AtoN are used to mark new dangers / wrecks or in circumstances where a physical AtoN cannot be established. The AtoN does not physically exist and therefore will only be visible on display systems.

I suspect we shall see moves to replace low priority AtoNs with virtual ones in the next few years.

dave