WASHINGTON, DC – As the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) embarks on phase one of a multi-phase plan to remove dozens of buoys from waters along Rhode Island’s coast and the surrounding area, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), a member of the Appropriations Committee, is urging the Coast Guard to seek input from Rhode Island commercial and recreational boaters and harbormasters before removing any navigational markers in the water.

The Coast Guard recently announced a modernization plan to phase out hundreds of physical coastal buoys and lateral marks across the First Coast Guard District system and transition to more tech-based navigation practices, including reliance on GPS and other maritime technology.   

An interactive grid map of the area shows just how expansive the Aids to Navigation (AtoN) system is along Rhode Island’s waterways, as well as the coastal buoy candidates considered for discontinuation.  The Ocean State is home to about 400 federal aids to navigation, including the roughly three dozen coastal buoys identified for removal in phase one of USCG’s plan.

Senator Reed says public outreach and input is essential in this process and wants to ensure all impacted Rhode Islanders have a chance to weigh in and be heard before changes are made or buoys are eliminated.

“The Coast Guard’s goal should be to ensure safety through an effective, efficient, and resilient navigation system.  Rhode Islanders know these waters best, and their views should guide Coast Guard decision-making.  That’s why it is important for mariners to register their views with the Coast Guard during this comment period,” said Senator Reed.  “GPS technology and apps are great, but when technology fails, there needs to be a fail-safe to keep people safe.  Everyone agrees it’s better to save a life than a few bucks.  I will not support any changes that undermine marine safety.”

The Coast Guard is accepting public comments by email until June 13.  The electronic chart systems are available digitally through the Coast Guard’s Navigation Center.

When providing feedback, USCG requests users include “the size and type of your vessel, how you use the buoys to navigate and the distance at which you start looking for and using it.”

Responses are only accepted via email at: D01-SMB-DPWPublicComments@uscg.mil.  A special notice, posted to USCG’s District One’s local notice to mariners website further details USCG’s request for feedback.

Most buoys in Rhode Island’s navigation system are made of steel with steel chains, which can be costly to upkeep over time due to salt water and the elements. 

“The Coast Guard works hard to maintain our buoy infrastructure.  And as they make changes, it is essential that they listen to local voices.  That is why I have encouraged them to reach out to Rhode Islanders and also encourage Rhode Islanders to be proactive in providing feedback.  Waterways can change over time and we want to ensure everyone can navigate them safely and efficiently,” Reed concluded.

This coastal buoy project is just the first of USGC’s three planned efforts to modernize and reduce Rhode Island’s overall buoy constellation.  Two other plans identify shallow water and harbor buoys that the Coast Guard is considering for discontinuation.  In total, Rhode Island waters could see roughly 100 federally maintained aids to navigation cut, or roughly 25 percent of the total buoy constellation reduced in the coming years.  The Coast Guard’s overall plan can be viewed with this interactive map.