Maine
Coast Guard proposes removal of dozens of buoys in Maine waters
A beached buoy is pulled off Wells Beach by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Marcus Hanna on April 22, 2024. Carl D. Walsh/Portland Press Herald
The U.S. Coast Guard has proposed the removal of over 100 navigation aids in Maine waters, along with many more along the East Coast.
In a notice posted earlier this month, the Coast Guard said the removals are intended to modernize and rightsize the setup of buoys, most of which were deployed before modern GPS systems.
“This effort will result in the most sustainable navigation risk reduction to support and complement modern mariners, today’s much larger ships, ECS system availability and requirements, and powerful smartphone navigation subscription apps affordably accessible to virtually all waterway users,” the Coast Guard wrote.
Locations listed for buoy removal include Portland, Camden, Cape Neddick, Castine and Wells harbors, as well as Penobscot Bay and the Damariscotta, Penobscot, Saco and Scarborough rivers.
The buoys serve various purposes, such as marking harbor entrances and coastal hazards.
Many waterway users have objected to the proposed removals online on sailing forums, yacht club Facebook groups and Reddit. An unofficial interactive map with the approximate locations of the buoys slated for removal has been published online as well.
The Coast Guard is accepting public comments and feedback on its proposal via email at DPWPublicComments@uscg.mil until June 13.