Evaluation Of the U.S. Coast Guard's Pilot Survey of Users Of Navigational Aids in Tampa Bay, Florida

摘要

This report describes the U.S. Coast Guard R&D Center's pilot survey and preliminary findings on the use of marine navigational aids (NavAids) in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. The Coast Guard R&D Center developed a webbased survey instrument to assess the navigational behaviors and preferences of NavAid users. Operators of commercial, public, military, and recreational vessels were solicited for their input by a pilot survey effort that was carried out during the summer of 2000. The preliminary findings indicate that mariners use nearly all navigational aids that are available to them. In general, as a mariner navigates from the open ocean to coastal areas, harbors and narrow channels, his/her reliance on NavAids progressively changes from radio aids like the Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS), to the Short Range Aids to Navigation, such as buoys and light structures, all provided by the U.S. Coast Guard. Inshore, mariners also rely on other NavAids such as geographic features and man-made structures. The results of the survey are used to assess the alignment of program services. Overall, the assessment revealed no clear areas of outdated or substantially misaligned services.