Help/Assistance

For assistance information and materials please visit http://www.pacificarea.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/District-13/District-Divisions/-dpw/-paton/.

Other sources of help, information, and references:

Helpdesk phone:

206-220-7285

Subject matter expert contact information:

D13-SMB-D13-PATON@uscg.mil

Private Aids to Navigation

(PATON) (Non-Bridge Projects)
Description/Purpose

Private Aids to Navigation (PATON) refers to all marine aids to navigation operated in the federally recognized navigable waters of the United States other than those operated by the Federal Government or those operated in State waters for private aids to navigation. This includes lighted structures and daybeacons, lighted and unlighted buoys, RACONs and fog signals. For a list of federally recognized waterways within Washington State contact the 13th Coast Guard District Waterways Management Branch. To ensure the safety of the boating public the Coast Guard is required to review all work performed within the navigable waters of the United States and determine whether or not such work (i.e. installation of a fixed structure or floating object) will require to be marked with PATON. Non-commercial, single-boat, mooring buoys do not require a Coast Guard permit, provided they do not cause more than a minimal adverse effect on navigation and display the standard markings. The same is true of most information and regulatory marks, such as swim buoys, no-wake buoys, and race course buoys. For these the Coast Guard issues a letter of no objection. Owners contemplating establishing such buoys need to contact the Office for Regulatory Innovation and Assistance for additional permit requirements.

Triggers and activities which would require this permit

Installation of a fixed structure or floating object within the waters of the United States.

Costs/Fees
n/a
n/a

None.

Application Information

The application is called 'US Coast Guard Private Aids to Navigation Application Form CG-2554' is online and can be accessed at http://www.pacificarea.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/District-13/District-Divisions/-dpw/-paton/.

If able provide photos, drawings, copy of the waterway chart all showing/indicating the location of the project.

A document from the Army Corps of Engineers showing the project has been approved should be submitted with the permit questionnaire.

CG-2554 PATON Application Questionnaires should be submitted via email D13-SMB-D13-PATON@uscg.mil.

A permit only needs to be renewed if there are changes made to the structure that affect the condition of the permit. For example changes in ownership, dock relocation, removal of a buoy, etc.

Appeals must be made in writing to the 13th Coast Guard District Commander via the application approving official.

Published Decision Time
n/a

Permitting time frame can vary depending on workload, though average wait for a permit is three months.

Legal authority
Notes / Comments

When the PATON questionnaire is completed and sent to the PATON Manager it will be used to produce a DRAFT PATON application for the project. The DRAFT application is then returned to the project owner for review and signature. Once the signed DRAFT application is returned to the PATON Manager it is signed by the approving official and returned to the project owner with a cover letter.

Contacts
United States Coast Guard, Private Aids to Navigation
Commander (dpw)
13th Coast Guard District
915 Second Ave, Room 3510
Seattle WA 98174-1067
Email: d13-pf-paton@uscg.mil
Website: http://www.pacificarea.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/District-13/District-Divisions/-dpw/-paton/
PATON Manager Telephone: (206) 220-7285
Fax: (206) 220-7265
Triggering Questions
  • Does your project involve the installation of a fixed structure or floating object within waters of the United States?
* Credential details last updated 4/9/2024
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