Appendix B.
ii. NGA: In support of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), NGA Broadcast Warnings are promulgated by the Worldwide Navigational Warnings Service (WWNWS) to provide rapid dissemination of information critical to navigation and the safety of life at sea. Navigational Warnings are issued regularly and contain information about persons in distress, or objects and events that pose an immediate hazard to navigation. NGA broadcasts contain information that concerns ocean waters beyond approximately 150 nautical miles from shore.
b. Local Notice to Mariners: The Local Notice to Mariners is the Coast Guard’s primary means for disseminating navigation safety information concerning aids to navigation, hazards to navigation, and other items of interest to mariners navigating the waters of the United States, its territories, and possessions. Each District Commander is responsible for issuing a Local Notice to Mariners each week containing information that contributes to navigation safety and maritime security within the boundaries of the District.
c. Notice to Mariners: The Notice to Mariners is published weekly by the NGA and prepared jointly by the USCG, National Ocean Service, and the NGA. It is intended to advise mariners of new hydrographic discoveries, changes in channels and navigational aids, and information concerning the safety of navigation. It also contains information to update charts and publications, information from Local Notices to Mariners published by USCG districts, and information compiled from foreign notices to mariners, ship reports, and similar cooperating observer reports.
viii. [Reusable Launch Vehicles: Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) means a launch vehicle that is designed to return to Earth substantially intact and therefore, may be launched more than one time or that contains vehicle stages that may be recovered by a launch operator for future use in the operation of a substantially similar launch vehicle.] [Launch vehicle means a vehicle built to operate in, or place a payload in, outer space or a suborbital rocket.] [Reentry vehicle means a vehicle designed to return from Earth orbit or outer space to Earth substantially intact. A reusable launch vehicle that is designed to return from Earth orbit or outer space to Earth substantially intact is a reentry vehicle.] [Expendable launch vehicle means a launch vehicle whose propulsive stages are flown only once.] ix. USCG Relevant Area: Refers to the Commander of the Relevant Area and responsible for determining when operational matters require the coordination of forces and facilities of more than one Coast Guard District.
The geographic boundary for the Relevant Area is available at 33 C.F.R.
Subpart 3.04. The Relevant Area Commander provides operational oversight of USCG Districts XX, XX, XX, XX, and XX for the purposes of this LOI.
Appendix B.
5. Commercial Space Entity Requirements. Commercial Space Entity will:
a. Operations Plans: Commercial Space Entity will provide current copies of the following plans to the Coast Guard:
i. Ship Hazard Area or Restricted Hazard Area, as defined through Range Commanders Council, Common Risk Criteria Standards for National Test Ranges 321, section 3.4. This includes a Ship Hazard Area/Restricted Hazard Area diagram describing the projected impact area of debris fragments (shown in Appendix list appendices);
ii. Mishap Plan that includes all information to facilitate the immediate notification of primary points of contact listed in Section 7 and Appendix A, in the event of a launch or reentry site accident over or adjacent to navigable waters, and/or within the Coast Guard District areas of responsibility.
b. Response Plans: Commercial Space Entity will provide current copies of a Response Plan to Coast Guard Relevant Area Prevention Operations Planning Branch, and list Relevant USCG Districts Waterways Management Branches.
This Response Plan will include the procedures necessary to contain, minimize the adverse effects of, and respond to the foreseeable consequences of a mishap, as such term is defined in 14 C.F.R. § 401.7, occurring in the conduct of the [launch and/or reentry] reentry accident, reentry incident, or other mishap, as such terms are defined in 14 C.F.R. § 401.5, occurring in the conduct of an FAA-licensed activity, and at a minimum, will include procedures to mitigate hazards to public health and safety, and the contamination of waterways and adjacent coastline.
c. Scheduling and Notification Activities:
i. Commercial Space Entity will annually provide the Relevant Area Commander a launch and reentry schedule forecast for the fiscal year, as it is known at the time, by 30 September.
ii. Commercial Space Entity will provide, to the extent reasonably practicable, not less than 10 business days of advance notice of the launch and reentry schedule.
iii. (R-30 days) Commercial Space Entity will submit reentry information, where applicable, at least 30 days prior to scheduled reentry or as soon as practicable for contingency reentry.
a. Commercial Space Entity will provide this reentry information to:
i. Relevant Area Prevention Operations Planning Branch;
ii. Relevant District Waterways Management Branch(es), who will request an LNM article via list Relevant Districts’ LNM email addresses; and iii. Relevant Sector Waterways Management Division(s).
b. Reentry information should include the following:
Appendix B.
i. Mission Designator;
ii. Vehicle type and reentry description;
iii. Primary, secondary, and contingency reentry dates and times in GMT;
iv. Restricted Hazard Area perimeter coordinates in degrees, minutes, and seconds to three decimal places, if applicable.
v. Recovery Officer contact information.
iv. (NLT T-72 hours) Commercial Space Entity will contact the following:
a. Relevant Sector Level: Relevant Sector Waterways Management Divisions and Sector Command Centers, to request issuance of a Broadcast Notice to Mariners (BNM) to provide [launch] [reentry] information and any other specific information needed by mariners. This communication is important because it will, subject to the discretion of the Coast Guard Captain of the Port, result in the Coast Guard issuing a NAVTEX broadcast;
b. Relevant District Level:
i. Relevant District Waterways Management Branch(es) to confirm reentry information for the LNM;
ii. District Command Center(s), to ensure general awareness and monitoring and to trigger LNM issuance, at the discretion of the District Commander, for [launch] [reentry] activities occurring within 150 miles from shore;
c. NGA may issue Navigation Area XII or HYDROPAC warning notifications for launch/reentry activities occurring over water seaward of 150 nautical miles offshore. Reentry information should be sent to navsafety@nga.mil and may also be relayed via voice at (571) 557-5455.
d. Chain of communications: Commercial Space Entity will inform the Relevant Area’s Prevention Operations Planning Branch of all communications with an engaged District (dpw) and will inform the relevant District of all communications with an engaged Sector.
d. Limited Access Area (LAA) activation, coordination and enforcement: Describe LAA activation, coordination and enforcement. If no LAAs are required, input “The Coast Guard Operational Commander has determined that no LAAs are required for safe operation for this event.”
Appendix B.
6. Coast Guard Intent.
a. Upon receipt of the information relating to any launch, reentry, or recovery operation from Commercial Space Entity, Coast Guard Relevant Area intends to:
i. Assess the information received for potential effects in or to the maritime domain;
ii. Discuss the information received with relevant Districts and Sectors to allow local Coast Guard leaders to make a risk-based assessment of the need for resources;
iii. Conduct a risk assessment to determine what, if any, assets are appropriate to ensure public safety and that commerce is not adversely affected by the launch, reentry, or recovery;
iv. Issue appropriate public advisories, such as Notices to Mariners (e.g. LNM and BNM), for Commercial Space Entity launches, reentries, and recoveries; and
v. Communicate Coast Guard actions in response to Commercial Space Entity’s planned recovery operations to Commercial Space Entity and other stakeholders, as appropriate.
vi. Limitations: The Coast Guard cannot commit a specific number or type of asset(s) because of the dynamic nature of Coast Guard operations, the potential for competing missions, and vessel or personnel limitations. Upon notification of an imminent [launch] [reentry], the Coast Guard will determine asset availability based on factors that include, but are not limited to, the following: whether the spacecraft is crewed and by whom, weather and sea state at the splashdown location, competing or ongoing missions, potential hazards to Coast Guard personnel and the public, anticipated public presence at the splashdown location, and the presence of private resources arranged for the operation.
b. Coast Guard District(s) list relevant USCG Districts Waterways Management Branches intend to engage in the following scheduling and notification activities:
i. Receive and review annual forecast of scheduled [launches] [reentries] provided by Commercial Space Entity;
ii. Endeavor to publish [launch] [reentry] information at least 15 days prior to [launch] [reentry] in the Local Notice to Mariners, at the discretion of the operational commander and subject to operational limitations;
iii. Fulfill any other statutory responsibility pertaining to USCG jurisdiction and authorities, subject to the discretion of the Relevant District Commander;
iv. Consult with Commercial Space Entity on all matters related to navigation safety pertaining to space transportation, as appropriate.
Appendix B.
c. Nothing in this letter prevents Coast Guard Area, District, Sector, or local unit commanders from exercising their discretion to take necessary action, consistent with law and regulation, to protect the safety and security of lives and property in areas and aboard vessels in which the Coast Guard may exert jurisdiction.
7. POINTS OF CONTACT. The primary points of contact for this Letter of Intent will be the Chief, Prevention Operations Planning Branch (PAC/LANT-54) of Coast Guard Relevant Area, list relevant USCG Districts Waterways Management Branches, Coast Guard Sectors list relevant USCG Sectors Waterways Management Branches, and Commercial Space Entity’s primary contact. Contact details are in Appendix A.
8. OTHER PROVISIONS.
a. Commercial Space Entity will immediately notify the Coast Guard in the event it is unable to fulfill any of the requirements covered by this Letter.
b. This Letter represents the entire intent of the Coast Guard and supersedes any prior letters, arrangements, or agreements between the Coast Guard and Commercial Space Entity with respect to the subject matters referenced in this Letter.
c. No provision of this Letter of Intent should be interpreted to require obligation or payment of funds in violation of the Anti-Deficiency Act, 31 U.S.C. § 1341.
Furthermore, no provision of this Letter of Intent is intended to conflict with current law or regulation or the directives of the U. S. Coast Guard or Department of Homeland Security. If a term of this Letter is inconsistent with such authority, then that term shall be invalid, and is severable from the rest of this Letter.
ISSUED BY:
VADM Date Commander, Coast Guard Relevant Area ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Commercial Space Entity’s Signature Authority DateTitle, Commercial Space Entity Appendix (A) Specific Points of Contact Appendix (B) Restricted Hazard Areas Appendix (C) Coast Guard District/COTP Zones Appendix (D) Composite Restricted Hazard Area Maps 26
Appendix B.
LETTER OF INTENT Appendix A – Primary Points of Contact (include all relevant Sector, District, and Area contacts)
OFFICE NUMBER RESPONSIBILITY Commercial Space Entity’s Primary Contact Office/Department Email address xxx-xxx-xxxx Input responsibility Commercial Space Entity’s Recovery Officer Email address xxx-xxx-xxxx Input responsibility Coast Guard Relevant Area Prevention Operations Planning Branch Shared Email@uscg.mil xxx-xxx-xxxx Chief, Prevention Ops Planning Branch Coast Guard District XXXX Waterways Management Shared Email@uscg.mil xxx-xxx-xxxx Chief, Waterways Management Coast Guard District XXXX LNM Editor Shared Email@uscg.mil xxx-xxx-xxxx Publication of Local Notice to Mariners
LETTER OF INTENT Appendix B –Restricted Hazard Areas The following is the restricted hazard area name restricted hazard area associated with a terrestrial landing site name landing:
INSERT GRAPHICS/IMAGES HERE
INSERT RESTRICTED HAZARD AREA LATITUDE/LONGITUDE COORDINATES
HERE (INCLUDE DEGREES/MINUTES/SECONDS AND DECIMAL DEGREES
FORMAT) 27
Appendix B.
LETTER OF INTENT Appendix C – Coast Guard Relevant Area and Restricted Hazard Areas
INSERT GRAPHICS/IMAGES HERE
1. See 33 C.F.R. 3.55 through 33 C.F.R. 3.85 for Coast Guard Relevant Area/District boundaries.
LETTER OF INTENT Appendix D – Composite Restricted Hazard Area Maps (THIS SECTION MAY NOT BE NEEDED IF ONLY ONE
RESTRICTED HAZARD AREA EXISTS)
INSERT GRAPHICS/IMAGES HERE 28
Appendix C.
Appendix C. Section 3.4 of RCC 321-16 Common Risk Criteria Standards for National Test Ranges C.1 REFERENCE SECTION FROM RCC 321-16 The following is Paragraph 3.4 Ship Protection from the Range Commanders Council Range Safety Group Standard 321-16, Common Risk Standards for National Test Ranges, dated August 2016. Operators should ensure they are referencing the most recent issue of this standard before notifying the FAA and U.S.C.G of an intent to conduct launch and reentry operations.
3.4 Ship Protection The term “ship” includes boats and watercraft of all sizes.
3.4.1 Non-Mission Ship Criteria
a. Ship Warning Areas. Notices to Mariners (NOTMARS) shall be issued to warn non-mission ships of regions defined by one of the following approaches.
1. where the probability of debris capable of causing a casualty impacting on or near a vessel exceeds 10E-6 (1E-5), accounting for all relevant hazards; or
2. the union of the areas where the individual probability of casualty for any person onboard exceeds the criteria in a of Subsection 3.2.1, the collective casualt y expectation for an individual ship would exceed the criterion in b of Subsection 3.2.1, and the catastrophic risk for an individu al ship would exceed the provisional criteria outlined in Section 3 .6.
In some situa tions, warnings may be optional when expected ship traffic in the affected area is low and adequate observation will be performed.
b. Non-Mission Ship Risk Criteria. People on observed non-mission ships shall be included in the determination of compliance with collective risk criteria in b of Subsection 3.2.1 and provisional catastrophic criteria in c of Subsection 3.2.1.
Observation to locate non-mission ships is an acceptable method to ensure compliance, provided that suitable observation techniques are used to include the region(s):
1. where the individual probability of casualty exceeds the criteria in a of Subsection 3.2.1; and
2. where the collective casualty expectation or provisional catastrophic risk criteria (b or c of Subsection 3.2.1, respectively) would be exceeded given a conservative estimate of typical ship traffic.
Appendix C.
3.4.2 Mission-Essential Ship Criteria.
a. Mission-Essential Ship Hazard Areas. Mission-essential ships will be restricted from hazard areas defined by either:
1. the region where the probability of debris capable of causing a casualty impacting on or near vessel exceeds 100E-6 (1E4, accounting for all relevant hazards; or
2. The union of the areas where the individual probability of casualty for an exposed person onboard exceeds the criteria of Subsection 3.2.2, the collective risk criteria in b of Subsection 3.2.2, or the catastrophic risk criteria in c of Subsection 3.2.2.
b. Mission-Esse ntial Ship Risk Criteria. Ship-board MEP shall be included in the assessment of compliance with the collective risk criteria in b of Subsection
3.2.2 and catastrophic risk criteria in c of Subsection 3.2.2.
3.4.3 Ship Hazard Areas for Debris Releases The range must confirm that NOTMARs are issued for each planned debris release event that encompasses the areas and durations necessary to satisfy the risks as described in a of Subsection 3.4.1 or contain, with 99% probability of containment, all resulting debris impacts capable of causing a casualty.
3.4.4 Mishap Response The range must coordinate with the United States Coast Guard or other appropriate authorities to ensure timely notification of any ship traffic hazard associated with range activities. In the event of a mishap, the range must promptly inform the appropriate authority(s) of the area and duration of navigable waters where a ship hazard is predicted.
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