Who issues the Notice to Mariners (NTM)?

The Notice to Mariners (NTM) is issued by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). This organization is responsible for maintaining and distributing nautical information to ensure the safety of navigation at sea. The NTM provides updates on changes to navigational charts, aids to navigation, and other critical maritime information that navigators need to operate safely.

While other organizations, such as the Coast Guard, play a vital role in maritime safety and operations, they do not directly issue NTMs. The Coast Guard and the Department of Transportation are involved in broader regulatory and safety aspects but do not take on the specific task of issuing NTMs. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) focuses on aviation rather than maritime navigation, which further highlights the NGA's specialized role in this area.