Lansing Sail & Power Squadron
Information of Interest to Boaters
Free On-Line NOAA Chart Viewer
NOAA introduced a new public service called the On-Line Chart Viewer in July of 2006. The Viewer lets mariners display any nautical chart in the national suite using only an Internet browser. Each chart is updated weekly for Notice to Mariner corrections by NOAA. The Viewer's fast, image displaying software permits rapid chart display, panning and zooming. The On-Line Viewer can be used for voyage planning and research. Professional mariners can examine their intended routes for recent changes. With appropriate graphics software, screen captures can be saved for inclusion in reports.
Global Maritime Distress & Safety System
for Recreational Boaters (including DSC)
An overview on GMDSS (and DSC) provided by the United Safe Boating Institute.
Maritime Moble Service Identity (MMSI)
Recreational boaters must obtain their DSC MMSI numbers directly from the FCC (for $155) if they plan on traveling to a foreign country. Otherwise, USPS provides MMSI numbers at no cost to recreational boaters (BoatUS, and SeaTow also provide MMSI numbers.)
NEXUS Expands to all Waterways
On April 30, 2007, the Canadian government announced that, effective immediately, the Nexus card program has been expanded to cover all Canadian waterways, which means that recreational boaters, both U.S. and Canadian, holding Nexus cards will be able to check into Canada by phone from their boats throughout the great Lakes. NEXUS members can call 30 minutes to four hours ahead of time to a telephone reporting center in the marine mode. (US Reporting Requirements for Private Boat Operators in the Great Lakes Region.)
The three NEXUS programs (Air, Highway and Marine) were combined in 2006 into one program, now simply called NEXUS. You can use your NEXUS membership whether you travel by air, land or sea. NEXUS is a joint initiative of the Canada Border Services Agency and the U.S. Customs and Boarder Protection.
NEXUS Marine members must have their irises photographed for identification to use the air mode.
CANPASS
Canadian Canpass Program
The Canadian government's CANPASS - Private Boats Program has been modified. The fee for issuance or renewal for CANPASS -Private Boats programs will change from $25 per year to $40 for five years. CANPASS - Private Boat program members may call up to four hours in advance to report their estimated arrival time in Canada and then arrive at a telephone reporting marina site.
The CANPASS - Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) permit is still available. The RABC permit allows the bearer to cross the border into Canada at certain remote areas )from Pigeon River through to and including Lake of the Woods, the Canadian shore of Lake Superior, Cockburn Island, the upper lock system at Sault Ste. Marine, and Emerson West Lynne) without reporting to a port of entry, as long as imported goods are declared.
NOAA Makes Raster Electronic Charts Available for Free Download
Michigan Handbook of Boating
Laws and Responsibliities
The Handbook of Michigan Boating Laws and Responsibilities defines the basics of boating, laws and regulations, navigation rules, weather emergencies, encountering other vessels and much more. Safe navigation on Michigan waterways is the responsibility of everyone.
Members of United States Power Squadrons are now conductingVessel Safety Checks (formerly Courtesy Marine Examinations) for recreational boaters. Once again, both BoatUS and West Marine will offer a 10% discount to any boater that has a Vessel Safety Check. To receive the discount, all the boater has to do is show a completed ANSC7012 VSC form. They are entitled to the discount regardless of wheter they pass of fail the exam. The discount is to encourage boaters to get a VSC even if tehy believe they may not be in compliance with all boat and/or carrriage requirements.
Michigan lists 34 state
marinas as available
for reservations in 2009
Boaters will be able to make harbor slip reservations at 34 harbors around the state during the 2007 season. Reservations may be made up to 6 months in advance of your arrival date. New inventory becomes available at 8 AM Monday - Friday and 9 AM Saturday and Sunday. About seventy-five percent of the slips at each marina are available for reservations, which allows ample openings during inclemnet weather.
Reservations can be made on the web or by calling the Department of Natural Resources' state park reservation number, 800-44-PARKS. Slip availability can also be checked on the website.
The 39th (2009) Edition ofCoast Pilot 6 (covering the Great Lakes system, including Lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron, Michigan, and Superior, their connecting waters, and the St Lawrence Seaway) is now available online. The complete version can be downloaded as a ZIP file or each chapter can be viewed or downloaded as a PDF file. (Corrections to the 39th Ed)
On 1 July 2000, the U.S. Coast Guard designated VHF Channel 9 as a voluntary recreational vessel calling channel on all U.S. waters of the Great Lakes.
The National Ocean Service (NOS) is no longer printing Chart No. 1, Nautical Chart Symbols and Abbreviations in hard copy form. A digital version of Chart No. 1 is available on-line.
Current Alerts Alerts are important advisories issued by the U.S. Coast Guard
to all boaters or anyone on or near the water. These include
new laws, rules, restrictions, health-related or equipment
warnings, and other information that could seriously affect
you or have an impact on your boating experience.
NOAA introduced a new public service called the 
Global Maritime Distress & Safety System
On April 30, 2007, the Canadian government 
CANPASS
Michigan Handbook of Boating
Members of 
Great Lake's Water Level Information
The 39th (2009) Edition of 
The 2002 Edition of 
On 1 July 2000, the U.S. Coast Guard designated VHF 
