The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has halted its plans to remove hundreds of navigation buoys from the Northeast after receiving push back from those who rely on them for safety while on the water.
A press release shared by the Coast Guard Tuesday indicates that more than 3,200 public comments were submitted concerning this matter.
In light of this, the removal of any buoys will be delayed for the time being, including with respect to the dozens located off the coast of Maine.
Rajesh Harrilal — a representative for USCG Northeast District — said in a statement to News Center Maine that they “will continue to assess our waterways and provide the most effective ATON [Aids to Navigation] system changes to support a safe, efficient, and resilient Marine Transportation System.”
When the plan to remove the buoys was first introduced, it was said that the move would make the country’s navigation system more economical due to the widespread usage and availability of GPS technology.
Under April’s Coastal Buoy Modernization Initiative, part of the broader Short-Range Aids-to-Navigation Modernization, hundreds of buoys were slated for removal or review in New England’s waters over the next few years.
351 coastal buoys — 41 percent of which were located in Maine’s waters — had been marked for discontinuation.
In May of this year, the Coast Guard suggested that the “current buoy constellation predates global navigation satellite systems, electronic navigation charts and electronic charting systems (ECS), which are widely used by today’s mariners.”
“Regardless of technological advances, a robust physical aids to navigation network will always complement electronic systems,” they said at the time.
According to the Coast Guard, more than 3,000 people responded to their first call for public comment, many of whom reportedly spoke to the need for physical buoys in bad weather and dark conditions, as well as to their use as a meeting place.
In August, the Coast Guard announced that it would be temporarily delaying the removal of these buoys pending further review and public comment.
It is explained in the Coast Guard’s most recent update that no changes will be made to the buoys until further analysis is completed. No further details about when such work will be done were shared at this time.
“We are extremely appreciative of the public’s input on this important project, and our team’s hard work, analysis, and conclusions were reinforced by the outstanding feedback we received from our maritime stakeholders,” said Rear Adm. Michael Platt, the Northeast Coast Guard District Commander said in Tuesday’s statement.
“The Northeast Coast Guard District will continue to ensure a safe, secure, and efficient Maritime Transportation System,” he continued. “We remain focused on shaping the future of our waterways, ensuring a modern aids to navigation system, and facilitating commerce vital to economic prosperity and strategic mobility.”
