On behalf of the officers and members of the National Boating Federation, GREETINGS!

Unfortunately, the juxtaposition of the National Boating Federation meeting in Michigan City, IN and the International Loran Association meeting in lovely Santa Barbara has made it impossible to be personally represented at this distinguished affair.

As most of you are aware, the National Boating Federation has been strongly supportive of the repair and maintenance, and, if possible, enhancement of the Loran C system as a necessary, in fact, absolutely essential backup to the GPS system.

In fact, it becomes more and more clear with the passage of time that a reliable, proven backup to GPS is not only in the best interests of safe navigation, but also a vital link in national security.

At the recent meeting of the Navigation Safety Advisory Council to the U.S. Coast Guard, of which I am a member, Mr. Stewart Shoulta of the Office of Aids to Navigation reported on the continuing use of Loran C as a backup to GPS, though no decision has been made to, finally, make LORAN C the official backup to GPS, and to upgrade the system.

I wish to assure you that the National Boating Federation stands firm in its resolve to insure that Loran C will continue as the very essential backup to GPS.

Thank you for your attention.

Margot J. Brown,
Executive Director
National Boating Federation.