Office of Coast Survey's Automated Wreck and Obstruction Information System

The Automated Wreck and Obstruction Information System (AWOIS) is an automated file that contains information on wrecks and obstructions, and other significant charted features in coastal waters of the United States subject to NOS Hydrographic Surveys. Items in this file are individually catalogued and are accompanied by historic and descriptive information gathered from field observations and Government and private publications. Approximately 96% of the items have a position in latitude and longitude (NAD83), original datum information, a position accuracy code, a source quality code, a charted symbol code, a chart number, and project information. Each item has also been evaluated for the adequacy of the available information as it relates to future surveys and nautical charting activities and may carry a specific recommendation for the type of survey investigation required to improve the quality of known information.

AWOIS was implemented to catalogue and store a substantial volume of reported wrecks and obstructions that are considered navigational hazards within U.S. coastal waters. The AWOIS database is updated prior to hydrographic surveys to identify potential features that require further study. Besides functioning as a survey planning tool, AWOIS is of potential value to users outside of the National Ocean Service. The historical record of selected wrecks and obstructions, the accessibility of information in a sorted format, and its reasonable cost make AWOIS an important information source for marine archaeologists and historians, fishermen, divers, salvage operators, and others in the marine community.

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Further information for the Automated Wreck and Obstruction Information System (AWOIS) can be found in the AWOIS User's Guide March 2006

AWOIS is not a comprehensive record of wrecks or obstructions in any particular area. Historical research is constantly being conducted to improve the quality of the file, but it will never completely address every known or reported wreck or obstruction. The emphasis is constantly placed on wrecks and obstructions which may be a hazard to navigation. NOAA assumes no liability for use of this data.

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The AWOIS database is divided into 26 geographic regions for the coastal waters of the United States. Wrecks and obstructions in this database are individually catalogued and are accompanied by historic and descriptive information gathered from field observations and Government and private publications. Most items have a position in latitude and longitude, a position accuracy code, a charted symbol code, and a chart number.

Automated Wreck and Obstruction Information Service User's Guide: March 2006

AWOIS is not a comprehensive record of wrecks or obstructions in any particular area. Historical research is constantly being conducted to improve the quality of the file, but it will never completely address every known or reported wreck or obstruction. The emphasis is constantly placed on wrecks and obstructions which may be a hazard to navigation. NOAA assumes no liability for use of this data.

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AWOIS is not a comprehensive record of wrecks and obstructions in any particular area. Historical research is constantly being conducted to improve the quality of the file, but it will never completely address every known or reported wreck and obstruction. The emphasis is constantly placed on wrecks and obstruction which may be a hazard to navigation. NOAA assumes no liability for use of this data.

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Each item has been evaluated for the adequacy of the available information as it related to future surveys and nautical charting activities and may carry a specific recommendation for the type of survey investigation required to improve the quality of known information.

The geographic position represents the most accurate position available found in documents at NOS. The coordinate position is presented in its original datum and corrected to NAD83. Other positions in the History memo field are for reference purposes only and will be superseded by the Header Record position. Users should be aware that the AWOIS position may not agree with the charted position for a similar feature. Most of these differences are minor and due to the fact that the paper chart cannot always show a location as accurately as a digital list. Other more significant differences are generally due to a time lag in updating either a chart or AWOIS. Each datum corrected coordinate position is provided with a qualitative accuracy rating of high, medium, low, and poor which is reflective of the original source from which the data were obtained. High - A high quality coordinate position originating from survey source or whenever there is a high level of confidence that the wreck or obstruction may be relocated without unreasonable difficulty. Although most positions in this category originate with NOS surveys, other sources may qualify. It is important that the position be appropriately reported. As a general rule, it has been found that positions expressed without partial seconds may be classified with a lower accuracy code. Medium - A probable high quality position lacking supporting documentation or a lower quality survey position obtained by such means as see-field-sheet techniques. Positions originating from non-agency sources may also be in this category if the location is tightly controlled by adjacent features such as pier lines or fixed aids to navigation. A report that the wreck or obstruction has been actually located by the Coast Guard or Corps of Engineers will usually qualify a position for this category. Low - A position of questionable or unverified quality. Most reports from Local Notice to Mariners and private observers are of this type. If the reported position is expressed as a GP or range and bearing from an identifiable fixed feature and is near shore relative to the position fixing method, it will probably be included in this category. If the position fixing method is unknown, it is assumed to be visual. The nautical chart should indicate an approximate position (PA) for this item. Poor: A position of doubtful quality usually referenced to some general shoreline feature or portion of shoreline. The nautical chart may indicate an approximate position (PA) or a position doubtful (PD) for this item.

Actual least depth or wire drag cleared depth over a charted feature that has been determined by hydrographic or wire drag survey methods. If this depth is unknown it will not be reported or unverified depth will be recorded in the entity field.

AWOIS was implemented to catalogue and store a substantial volume of reported wrecks and obstructions that are considered navigational hazards within U.S. coastal waters. The AWOIS database is being continuously updated as more research is completed.

AWOIS is not a comprehensive record of wrecks or obstructions in any particular area. Historical research is constantly being conducted to improve the quality of the file, but it will never completely address every known or reported wreck or obstruction. The emphasis is constantly placed on wrecks and obstructions which may be a hazard to navigation.