WASHINGTON – STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA TO STRAIT OF GEORGIA – SWINOMISH CHANNEL –
Changes to aids to navigation marking system on the Swinomish Channel.
The USCG is proposing to move the point at which the ATON in the Swinomish Channel change the general direction of marine traffic. In
channels such as Swinomish, where vessels can enter the channel from two different directions, there must be a point where the colors and
numbers on the ATON switch to conform to the rule of red ATON on the starboard side when returning from sea.
The current ATON configuration changes direction at Swinomish Channel South Entrance Buoy 26 (LLNR 18875), approximately two miles north
of La Conner. Multiple mariners have stated that this point of change is arbitrary and confusing. For this reason, the proposed new point for
the change in direction is in the vicinity of the city of La Conner, the logical destination for vessels returning from sea. The following aids to
navigation will remain in the same position, but will change their color and number:
Swinomish Channel South Entrance Buoy 22 (LLNR 18860) to Swinomish Channel North Entrance Buoy 33; Swinomish Channel South Entrance
Buoy 23 (LLNR 18865) to Swinomish Channel North Entrance Buoy 34; Swinomish Channel South Entrance Light 25 (LLNR 18870) to Swinomish
Channel North Entrance Light 32; Swinomish Channel South Entrance Buoy 26 (LLNR 18875) to Swinomish Channel North Entrance Buoy 31.
A chartlet showing the changes has been included as Enclosure 6 to Local Notice to Mariners 35/13.
Charts:
18421 18427
LNM:
35/13
Click on the link below and scroll down to Section 6. There is a chart at the bottom of the document as well.