Boaters’ Comments
Needed
On Continuation Of Loran System
Loran users could soon be facing a closure of the land-based, low
frequency radio system that has served mariners for decades.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), parent agency of the
Coast Guard, zeroed out any funding for the continuation of Loran
in its FY07 budget but Congress voted to put the money back in for
one year. Now, the Coast Guard is requesting public comments on the
issue until February 7, after which they will evaluate the future
of the system.
Recreational boaters concerned about Loran’s possible closure
may submit comments by going to http://dms.dot.gov, clicking on “comment/submissions” and
using Coast Guard docket number USCG-2006-24685.
“With the GPS signal being relatively weak, there is concern
that it is susceptible to jamming, which could present national security
problems if it is the sole navigation system for the US,” said
Elaine Dickinson of BoatUS Government Affairs. “Testing has
shown Loran to be virtually jam-proof. There is a strong case to be
made for keeping Loran as a relatively low-cost, ground-based backup
to satellite-based GPS,” she added.
“Shutting down Loran just doesn’t make sense,” said
Dickinson, noting that the Coast Guard just spent $160 million to
modernize and largely automate the Loran system. There are thousands
of mariners, in addition to aircraft pilots, who still use Loran receivers.
BoatUS – Boat Owners Association of The United States – is
the nation’s leading advocate for recreational boaters.
