The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center (NAVCEN) completed a major upgrade to our website, June 5, modernizing the look and feel of the site. The upgrade also streamlines access to products available to assist our afloat members in their day-to-day operations.
NAVCEN products are now optimized for all of your devices including laptops, phones, and tablets. There is also no login or CAC authentication needed to access the contents. This means that whether you are on-duty underway or enjoying liberty out on the water, NAVCEN can help you stay safe and stay informed.
You can find an easily accessible “one-stop-shop” for many of the products a mariner would need on the website. These include marine safety information, such as the weekly local notice to mariners for each Coast Guard district, as well as a real-time database of broadcast notice to mariners for participating sectors. Here you can also find the annual and weekly Light Lists. This is an easy way to make sure you and your unit you are up to date on hazards to navigation in your area before you get underway.
When navigating into a waterway with a vessel traffic service (VTS), you can check our website for information about the VTS you will be entering. Using the interactive map, you can click on a VTS location to find a description of its operating area and links to its user manual and homepage (if available). We also feature a VTS quick reference guide for many of these areas.
If you need a refresher on the Navigation Rules, the NAVCEN website hosts a digital copy of the rules that includes contextual links and imagery. When studying for a new or renewal exam you can use the available digital flashcards tool to quiz yourself and enhance your learning.
The NAVCEN website offers many more features than those listed here, including information about GPS, Automatic Identification System (AIS), waterways safety analyses, and maritime telecommunications. You can also use the contact us links in the site to reach out with questions concerning many of these topics.
We encourage you to visit us at navcen.uscg.gov to get more information and see how we can assist you.