Useful Links
The following are links that may be useful to NOAA small boat operators. These are provided for informational purposes only. NOAA endorsement of any non-U.S. Government product or service should not be implied.
Near Miss and Incident Reporting
- To report an near miss or accident, use the SECO reporting link. Log into the secure site using NOAA email credentials. The reporting link is on the right hand side under "Report Accidents and Hazzards."
Ancillary NOAA Policy
- OMAO 0318: Diving from NOAA Owned or Contracted Vessels (OMAO , pdf, 117.77 KB)
- NAO 209-115: NOAA Employees Aboard Non-NOAA Vessels
- NAO 217-106: Transportation of Nongovernment Personnel as Passengers on NOAA Vessels, Aircraft, and Motor Vehicles
- NOAA's Resonable Accomodation Program
Navigation
- United States Coast Guard (USCG) Light List
A list of lights, sound signals, buoys, daybeacons, and other aids to navigation. - U.S Notice to Mariners
- Local Notice to Mariners
- USCG Navigation Publications Library
- U.S. Chart No. 1: Symbols, Abbreviations and Terms used on Paper and Electronic Navigational Charts
- United States Coast Pilot®
A series of nautical books that cover a variety of information important to navigators of coastal and intracoastal waters and the Great Lakes.
Regulatory Information
- International Maritime Organization (IMO)
- American Bureau of Shipping
- American Boat and Yacht Council
- Code of Federal Regulations
- U.S. Code
- USCG Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVIC)
- USCG Navigation Center - Marine Communications
- USCG Office of Boating Safety
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Marine Diesel Engines
- Flag Etiquette - Laws and Regulations
- USCG Approved and Certified Equipment - Searchable Database
- Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) Registration Form
- Certified OSHA crane inspectors
Manuals
- USCG Seamanship Manual (PDF, 19.7 MB)
A comprehensive collection of information for the small boater - USCG Aids To Navigation Seamanship Manual (PDF, 5.4 MB)
Information on rigging and weight handling practices - USCG Marine Safety Manual
- University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) Small Boat Compendium (PDF, 2.7 MB)
Best Practices
- Galvanic corrosion
- Aluminum Fuel Tanks
- Electrical Cable Charts
- General Wiring Color Code
- Planning Near Shore or Surf Zone Operations
- Trim & Stability Awareness
- Winterizing Boat Engines
- Re-launch After Yard Period or Winter Storage
- Brookhaven National Labratory - Basic Rigging Workbook
- FEMA National US&R Response System - Lifting and Rigging
- Navy Crane Center - NAVFAC P-207 Training Crane Rigger
- Guidance on Ground Tackle and Mooring Lines
- Guidance on Anchor Types
Medical and First Aid
- USCG Health, Safety and Work-Life - Medical Publications and Directives
- Office of Safety and Environmental Health
- Lifeboat & Liferaft Survival Equipment
- Ship's Medicine Chest and Medical Aid at Sea (PDF, 2.9 MB)
- The Ship Captain's Medical Guide
Operator Training
- USCG Licensing Information
- Houston Marine
- Fremont Maritme Services
- Paul Hall Center
- Hampton Roads Maritime Training Center
- Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy
- Maritime Professional Training
Risk
- USCG Risk Management
- USCG Operational Risk Management (PDF, 518 KB)
- USCG Office of Investigation & Analysis
- National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Recommendation on the Use of Cell Phones While Operating Vessels
Training
- American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) Training Courses
- Basic Marine Electrical Systems
- Marine Electrical Systems I
- Marine Electrical Systems II
- Electrical Trouble Shooting
- ABYC Standards Accreditation
- Accident Investigation
