Navigation Markers Targeted for Removal by U.S. Coast Guard — Here’s How to Weigh In
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Coast Guard proposing the removal of 350+ navigation aids (NY to Maine).
Public comment deadline: June 13, 2025
By US Harbors
The U.S. Coast Guard has proposed eliminating more than 350 navigational aids—buoys, daymarks, and lights—along the Northeast coast, from New York to Eastport, Maine. These changes are part of a larger initiative to “rightsize” the Aids to Navigation (ATON) system, as announced in the Local Notice to Mariners (LNM 01-16-2025).
While the Coast Guard cites modernization, improved marine electronics, and skyrocketing maintenance costs as the drivers, many in the boating community are deeply concerned about the safety implications—especially along the rocky coast of New England where fog is a part of boating.
“We’ve been evaluating this for over a year,” said Senior Chief Ryan Lundy of Sector Long Island Sound. “Just the shackles for each buoy have gone from $45 to $350. Replacing them all would cost seven times my entire budget.”
District 1—the focus of this proposal—has more navigation aids than any other U.S. district. Many of the buoys marked for removal sit at harbor entrances, over ledges and reefs, or in otherwise hazardous waters. Some are the only visual or auditory clues available to mariners navigating in low visibility.
“The Coast Guard has likened the reduction in buoys to stepping into the 21st century, but in some ways it is also taking us back a hundred years,” noted Peter Swanson. “Never too far from a rock or ledge, boaters in the Gulf of Maine would be wise to have multiple fully-charged, navigationally ready devices whenever they venture out…”
Captain Elisa Garrity of the Coast Guard wrote, the intent is to “support and complement modern mariners, today’s much larger ships, ECS [Electronic Charting Systems] availability and requirements, and powerful smartphone navigation subscription apps affordably accessible to virtually all waterway users.” but boaters who rely on electronic navigation are not immune to outages or a lack of a cellular connection, and many feel that physical aids are an essential backup.
If you boat along the Northeast coast and value these markers, your voice matters. The Coast Guard is accepting public feedback through June 13, 2025.
HOW TO WEIGH IN
Submit Your Comments via email to: [email protected]
Include your observations, concerns, and/or support for specific markers.
Refer to Project No. 01-25-015 in your comments and in the subject line.
Here is a link to an interactive map of the proposed navigation aids targeted for removal, posted by Great Harbor Digital.
This is your opportunity to ensure safe navigation remains a priority. If your harbor is affected, speak up now—before the buoys are gone for good.
Sources:
Coast Guard Proposes Eliminating 350 Nav Aids in Foggy, Rocky Northeast
By Peter Swanson
https://loosecannon.substack.com/p/coast-guard-proposes-eliminating
Proposed Removal of USCG Navigational Aids Along the U.S. Northeast Coast
Posted by Great Harbor Digital
https://uscg-marker-removals.webflow.io/
Coast Guard May Remove Buoys
Sport Fishing Magazine, By Kevin Falvey
https://www.sportfishingmag.com/news/coast-guard-may-remove-buoys/
Local Notice to Mariners 01-16-2025
https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/lnms/LNM01162025.pdf
