They also service their own vessels, which include three 49′ Stern-Loading Buoy Boats (BUSL), two 26′ Trailerable Aids to Navigation Boats (TANB), and a 20′ ATON Boat – Small (AB-S), and an astounding 1896 PATONs.
Just as important as the underway missions is the paperwork behind the scenes for PATONs, and Auxiliarists are able to help in that job too. As they do for federal aids, the ANTs contribute information to Broadcast Notices to Mariners for any PATON that is not watching properly; provide weekly updates to the Local Notice to Mariners and to the USCG Light List; and constantly update both paper and digital files for each PATON.
Timely, accurate, and thorough PATON verifications performed by Auxiliary AVs are one of the most important missions in D1SR. If you are interested, talk with your Navigations Systems Officer and get to know your local ANT!
Elizabeth Eynon notes the position and characteristics of the front PATON in a range. This light must also be checked at night.