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LORAN-C GENERAL INFORMATION
*** Special Notice Regarding
LORAN Closure: ***
In accordance with the 2010 DHS Appropriations Act, the U.S.
Coast Guard terminated the transmission of all U.S. LORAN-C
signals on 08 Feb 2010. This termination does not affect U.S.
participation in the Russian American or Canadian LORAN-C
chains. U.S. participation in these chains will continue temporarily
in accordance with international agreements. You may read
more and download pertinent documents using the links below.
LORAN-C was originally developed to provide radionavigation
service for U.S. coastal waters & was later expanded to
include complete coverage of the continental U.S. as well
as most of Alaska. Twenty-four U.S. LORAN-C stations work
in partnership with Canadian and Russian stations to provide
coverage in Canadian waters and in the Bering Sea. They system
provides better than 0.25 nautical mile absolute accuracy
for suitably equipped users within the published areas.
and provides navigation, location, and timing services for
both civil and military air, land and marine users. It is
approved as an en route supplemental air navigation system
for both Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) and Visual Flight Rule
(VFR) operations. The LORAN-C system serves the 48 continental
states, their coastal areas, and parts of Alaska. Dedicated
Coast Guard men and women have done an excellent job running
and maintaining the LORAN-C signal for 52 years. It is a service
and mission of which the entire Coast Guard can be proud.
LORAN-C Termination Information
The Coast Guard published a Federal Register notice on Jan.
7, 2010, regarding its intention to terminate transmission
of the LORAN-C signal Feb. 8, 2010. A LORAN Programmatic Environmental
Impact Statement Record of Decision stating that the environmentally
preferred alternative is to decommission the LORAN-C Program
and terminate the North American LORAN-C signal was published
in the Federal Register on Jan. 7, 2010.
The entire
Specification may be downloaded also.
The Coast Guard strongly urges mariners currently using LORAN-C
for navigation to shift to a GPS navigation system and become
familiar with its operation as soon as possible. Mariners
will not be able to rely upon LORAN-C for navigation as of
Feb. 8, 2010.
LORAN-C has, as a result of technological advancements in
the last 20 years, became an antiquated system no longer required
by the armed forces, the transportation sector or the nation’s
security interests and is used only by a small percentage
of the population. The Coast Guard understands that LORAN-C
is still used by a small segment of the public and that those
users will have to shift to GPS or other systems; however,
continued use of limited resources to operate LORAN-C is no
longer prudent use of taxpayer funds and is not allowed under
the 2010 DHS Appropriation Act.
The Coast Guard has enjoyed a long and close relationship
with the many communities located near LORAN-C facilities
and we value those relationships. The Coast Guard will continue
to honor those relationships by working to minimize any adverse
impacts to communities caused by site closures.
The decision to cease transmission of the LORAN-C signal
reflects the president’s pledge to eliminate unnecessary
federal programs.
Pertinent Documents Regarding Termination of LORAN-C
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