U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
Eighth Western Rivers Region
Classification of Discrepancies and Reporting Actions Required

Last updated: 15 March 1999

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INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

The following material on the classification and associated reporting procedures applies to all aids, private or Coast Guard, and to bridge lighting systems unless stated otherwise.

Discrepancies should always be reported unless the Auxiliarist is absolutely certain that a report has already been made (as reflected by a Broadcast or Local Notice to Mariners).

In every case, a written report should be filed and, if the discrepancy was reported via radio or telephone, the written report should include the specifics about that contact. Fields are included on all forms for that information.

Written discrepancy reports should be filed using either the Aids to Navigation Report form (CG-5474) or the preprinted verification worksheets for private aids and bridges.


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CLASSIFICATION OF DISCREPANCIES

The classification of a discrepancy:

Discrepancies are classified as (and carry reporting requirements of):


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CRITICAL DISCREPANCIES

The classification of CRITICAL includes the following discrepancies :

  1. Any extinguished light on a Coast Guard aid, on a private aid, or on a bridge lighting system
  2. Anything that affects the signal or published description of a Coast Guard aid or a private aid including missing dayboards and mile boards, defective fog signals, RACONS
  3. Any aid damaged by collision or deemed to be a hazard to navigation or obstruction to navigation including collapsed bridges, damaged fenders, and cables or other hardware hanging into the channel
  4. Coast Guard aids totally covered or shrouded in ice
  5. Coast Guard aids totally obscured or showing improper characteristics / rhythm
  6. Coast Guard aids showing signs of vandalism
  7. Buoys (where considered as hazards to navigation): off-station, submerged or sheared off at the water line, adrift, missing, capsized
  8. Radiobeacon off the air or giving improper characteristics


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URGENT DISCREPANCIES

The classification of URGENT includes the following discrepancies :

  1. Coast Guard aids with DIM (reduced intensity) lights
  2. Coast Guard aids that are partially obscured
  3. Coast Guard aids with dayboards that are faded, delaminating, or damaged by other than vandalism
  4. Retro-reflective material: faded, missing, inadequate
  5. Sound signal failure
  6. Radiobeacon timing sequence incorrect


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ROUTINE DISCREPANCIES

The classification of ROUTINE includes the following discrepancies :

  1. Private aids that are obscured
  2. Structure leaning more than 15 degrees
  3. Wooden structures deteriorating, rotting
  4. Structural guy wires and cables: slack, weak, broken
  5. Bird nests and bird fouling on aid
  6. Mile boards obliterated, unreadable
  7. Missing or damaged radar reflectors
  8. Paint peeling or faded
  9. All other discrepancies including Light List discrepancies

 

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