NAVIGATION SYSTEMS

How using a “PATROL WORKSHEET”

for a predefined Patrol Areawill improve your report

accuracy.Prepared by the First Northern Navigation Systems Team

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Elements of a Patrol Worksheet

This Patrol Worksheet involves three separate EXCEL spreadsheets:

•The Patrol Worksheet / Spreadsheet

•The PATON System Spreadsheet

•The Light List Spreadsheet.

All three worksheets interact during the documentation checking phase performed before the patrol.

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Defining the Patrol Area Defines a normal geographical area transited by Auxiliary

Operational patrol vessels. Contains all the PATONs, ATONs and Bridges within the

area. The aids and bridges in the area can be verified, checked

or surveyed within a four-hour patrol. The Patrol Worksheet would list the aids and bridges in

the sequence that they are planned to be verified, checked or surveyed in order to minimize transit time and do-overs.

Insures nothing is missed in the area. Helps identify the “unauthorized” aids. Provides an easy way for management of the area. 3

Overview of a Patrol WorksheetThis EXCEL Spreadsheet is a structured management tool that defines the sequence for performing scheduled PATON verifications, unscheduled PATON checks, ATON checks and Bridge surveys, within a defined Patrol Area. It is a consolidation of data from three separate EXCEL spreadsheets.

PATON Worksheet is an EXCEL spreadsheet that organizes all of the supporting data including the documentation checking process and the field observations collected while on the patrol.

LIGHT LIST is an EXCEL spreadsheet that is downloaded from the Light List showing the aids listed within the defined Patrol Area.

PATON LIST is an EXCEL spreadsheet that is downloaded from the PATON System showing all of the private aids within the defined Patrol Area.

It puts the supporting documents at your fingertips.

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Access to the three EXCEL SpreadsheetsThe Summary

Patrol spreadsheet

The Light ListSpreadsheet

The PATON System

Spreadsheet 5

Step 1: Record the PATON’s charted depth on your Patrol worksheet.

This depth will be used later on as a quick sanity check of the echo sounder’s operating accuracy when you are on scene at the aid.

Also enter any notes such as light characteristics or special features

that will assist with your observations later when on scene.

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If the PATON is not charted, enter it as a

waypoint on your Open/CPN Chart.

The Document Checking Process

4. Plot and record the charted Latitude

and Longitude here.

1. Enter the Aid Type2. Copy and paste from the Light List or PATON spreadsheets

3. Copy and paste from the PATON Spreadsheet

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Sample updated Worksheet

Aid was observed as watching properly.Observed Lat/Long was only -0.6 feet from the Permit’s position when EPE was considered.

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Enter the criterion type for the aid being reviewed.

Enter the permitted Latitude and longitude for the PATON.Enter the observed Latitude and Longitude for the PATON.

If needed, enter the EPE

If needed, enter the Distance off the

PATON.

Try this process on a “Vertical and Horizontal Calculator” and see how

easily and quickly you can determine whether an aid is off its permitted station.

Sample Patrol Worksheet updated in the field.

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Copy and paste the

Aid’s Name and number.

Enter the date of the

event.

Enter the correction for

the transducer.

Enter thecharteddepth.

If the aid is lighted, enter

the light characteriestics

here.

Sample Patrol Worksheet as updated in the field.

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This aid’s light must be

checked at night.

This aid needs a photo

Sample Patrol Worksheet updated in the field.

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Enter the observed Lat and Long. When the degrees and minutes don’t change, simply enter the observed minutes as in the example.Please print – Do not use script!

Enter the time when yourobservations were taken.Enter the observed EPE.

Indicate whether the GPS was operating in 3D.

If necessary,enter the distance in feet that the measurements were taken

away from the PATON.

Sample Patrol Worksheet updated in the field.

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Enter the observed depthfrom the echo sounder.

Enter the estimatedHOT – Height of Tide

Note that the systemautomatically calculates the HOT when the data is entered digitally.

If a photo is takenenter the number here

for future reference.

Enter the name of the substationthat was used when determining

the HOT – Height of Tide.

ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW A

PATROL WORKSHEET IS USED ON A PATROL

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