This termination does not affect U.S. participation in the Russian American or Canadian LORAN-C chains. U.S. participation in these chains will continue in accordance with international agreements.
In accordance with the DHS Appropriations Act, the U.S.
Coast Guard will terminate the transmission of all U.S. LORAN-C signals
effective 2000Z 08 Feb 2010. At that time, the U.S. LORAN-C signal will be
unusable and permanently discontinued. This termination does not affect U.S.
participation in the Russian American or Canadian LORAN-C chains. U.S.
participation in these chains will continue in accordance with international
agreements. The Canadian Coast Guard has also
issued a statement, which is shown on
their website.
You may view the estimated remaining LORAN-C signal coverage
areas of these international chains in Appendix B, pages B-6 through B-9 of the
Specification of the LORAN-C Transmitted Signal, COMDTINST M16562.4A. The
entire Specification may be downloaded
also.
The Coast Guard strongly urges mariners currently using
LORAN-C for navigation to shift to a GPS navigation system and become familiar
with its operation as soon as possible. Mariners will not be able to rely upon
LORAN-C for navigation as of Feb. 8, 2010.
LORAN-C has, as a result of technological advancements in
the last 20 years, became an antiquated system no longer required by the armed
forces, the transportation sector or the nation’s security interests and is used
only by a small percentage of the population. The Coast Guard understands that
LORAN-C is still used by a small segment of the public and that those users will
have to shift to GPS or other systems; however, continued use of limited
resources to operate LORAN-C is no longer prudent use of taxpayer funds and is
not allowed under the 2010 DHS Appropriation Act.
The Coast Guard has enjoyed a long and close relationship
with the many communities located near LORAN-C facilities and we value those
relationships. The Coast Guard will continue to honor those relationships by
working to minimize any adverse impacts to communities caused by site closures.
The decision to cease transmission of the LORAN-C signal
reflects the president’s pledge to eliminate unnecessary federal programs.
U.S. Coast Guard Terminates LORAN-C
February 11, 2010
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