Justification for change

JUSTIFICATION FOR CHANGE
COOPERATIVE CHARTIING PROGRAMS
OMB CONTROL NO. 0648-0022

In accordance with 33 U.S.C Sections 883a and b, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Ocean Service (NOS) produces the official nautical charts
of the United States. Of prime concern is the safe navigation on our nation’s waterways, of both
commercial as well as recreational vessels. For the last 44 years, NOS has had a Memorandum
of Agreement (MOA) with both the United States Power Squadrons (USPS) and the United
States Coast Guard Auxiliary (USCGAUX). According to the terms of these MOAs, members
of both organizations voluntarily provide NOS with valuable chart correction data. Without this
information, NOS could not fulfill the production of accurate, comprehensive and timely nautical
charts, which is one of our agency’s primary missions.
USCGAUX members currently report observations of changes that require additions,
corrections, or revisions to nautical charts on the NOAA Form 77-5. The USPSs use a website
to report the same information. The information provided is used by NOS cartographers to
maintain and prepare new additions of nautical charts that are used nationwide by commercial
and recreational navigators.
The current NOAA Form 77-5 has been provided in fillable Adobe.pdf format since 2008 after a
decision was made to suspend printing the paper version. A digital form has been developed by
the USCGAUX in cooperation with the NOS Office of Coast Services Marine Chart Division
(OCS/MCD) to replace the NOAA Form 77-5.
The 77-5a Chart Update Report form, for which we are requesting approval, provides automated
enhancement, drop down selections, indication of required fields and has the capability to be
used in a web-based environment. The (locating or fixing) latitude/longitude and depth fields
from the current form have been expanded to include the necessary quality control reporting
requirements associated with these operations. Space is provided for a task statement, comments
and observations, and a final recommendation to NOAA based on the evidence reported. Chart
Update Form Field Explanations have been added to provide a brief explanation of each field.
There is an additional option on the 77-5a form for ordering a NOAA Nautical Chart. This form
is currently in MS Excel format and will be imported as an Adobe.pdf form to the USCGAUX
National, Prevention Department, Navigation Systems Web site upon approval of Auxiliary
National Staff (based on OMB and NOAA approval).
As this will be a web-based form designed by the USGAUX, we are not requiring the OMB
Control No., expiration date and PRA statement.
OCS/MCD has provided a letter stating this new Form 77-5a Chart Update Form meets and
exceeds the requirements to report observations of changes provided on the original NOAA
Form 77-5.

There will be no burden or cost changes from this change.