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Federal Government to Shut Down LORAN Stations
Tags: Lower Township, u.s. coast guard LORAN
USCG Loran Station
DIAMOND BEACH - Aviation Week is reporting effective Feb. 8, the U.S. Coast Guard will begin a permanent shutdown of Loran-C radio navigation stations.
A LORAN C station has been operated by the Coast Guard here since 1957. The system has been deemed obsolete, replaced by GPS, Global Position System technology using satellites.
The 2010 budget for the Department of Homeland Security contained the shut down of LORAN C.
The Washington Examiner is reporting the shutdown of LORAN stations will save $36 million this year and a five-year savings of $190 million.
A total of 24 transmitters will be shut down by the end of 2010.
LORAN used a series of towers sending radio signals across long distances as an aid to keep ships and aircraft on course.
The Department of Homeland Security anticipates that all Loran stations will cease transmitting the Loran-C signal by October 1, 2010.
“The Loran-C system was not established as, nor was it intended to be, a viable systemic backup for GPS. Backups to GPS for safety-of-life navigation applications, or other critical applications, can be other radio navigation systems, or operational procedures, or a combination of these systems and procedures. Backups to GPS for timing applications can be a highly accurate crystal oscillator or atomic clock and a communications link to a timing source that is traceable to Coordinated Universal Time.," said Rear Admiral Kevin Cook. “With respect to transportation to include aviation, commercial maritime, rail, and highway, the Department of Transportation has determined that sufficient alternative navigation aids currently exist in the event of a loss of GPS-based services, and therefore Loran currently is not needed as a back-up navigation aid for transportation safety-of-life users.”
According to a Coast Guard press release: "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."
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Comments (8)
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Fri, 01/22/2010 - 3:12am - Posted by: simonbarrsinister
Here's an idea; the feds can turn it over to the state for so and so dollars, the state can parcel it out to developers for HUGE dollars and then use the money to off-set some of our tax burden. I'm all for saving areas for wildlife refuge but when is there enough "preserved" land. A friend wanted to install a pier from his bayfront property to the water but was shot down, "piping polvers" was the cited reasoning for the application denial. They said the Plover population was in decline, building a pier would harm the Horseshoe crabs which the plovers need to survive. Standing on his bulkhead, telling me this story, we witnessed a fishhawk swoop down and snatch a plover right off the beach. The hawk was right, it was lunchtime. lmao Anyway, back on thread; Get the money for a very profitable piece of land and get the cash to help out the working stiffs for once and lightne our tax rate. Put up a sign-post directing the plovers to the bayside, but hurry it's almost lunchtime and the hawks have a table waiting.
Mon, 01/18/2010 - 12:49pm - Posted by: marmoracat
The LORAN-C station in Wildwood Crest wasn't even an active transmitter(there are 3 transmitters there(oldest, old, and semi-new), but they would only go "on the air" to do testing).
Mon, 01/18/2010 - 6:34am - Posted by: mullock477
about time this dinosaur was put to rest. Noted only in the service as a dumping ground and a place where the phrase "dress uniform" has a whole new meaning depending on how you reid this.
Sun, 01/17/2010 - 9:53pm - Posted by: mc
I work there as a civi..you can still have access to the beach for this year if you presently hold a beach pass.
You better hope that the Fed. Fish & Game doesn't take it over because they will close the rest of the Beach down too, they hate surfers and fishermen; it will be for bird watchers only.
Sun, 01/17/2010 - 8:05pm - Posted by: ratboy2
EECEN beach, as it was know as, was always a beautiful place to enjoy the water. when the Coast Guard allowed people to enjoy the snack bar and picnic and camping area it was a part of life growing up at the shore!!! Hopefully the beach area and camping might get taken over by the federal park service so families will be able to enjoy its treasure of a true familly place. Many good memories of growing up each summer there will always be remembered by our family at every get together. I am shure the coasties will retrain for new positions as there job will be over since Loran will be shut down forever. Hope all goes well for all involved and the rest of us retired C.G. who will miss the area if it is closed all together.
Sun, 01/17/2010 - 5:46pm - Posted by: VillasOutsider
Thats all you care about is going to the beach,what about the Coasties that work there.There going to have to move to other States.There great citzens to have in your towns.Now where going to lose more good people in this greedy town.Iam going to miss them!
Sun, 01/17/2010 - 5:04pm - Posted by: BPA
Most of that beach is actually run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and is a wildlife refuge.
Sun, 01/17/2010 - 4:19pm - Posted by: sumdumguy
with this closing, think u can still go down to the beach they offer?