Coast Guard Delays Removing Nav Buoys

A navigation buoy equipped with solar panels. Photo/Pixabay

The Coast Guard has announced it is delaying a plan that would remove hundreds of navigational buoys from New England waters following months of vocal opposition from boaters and federal and state officials.

Under the plan, 351 coastal buoys would be removed in New England, and another 2,349 buoys and beacons would be reviewed for potential removal.

The Coast Guard launched the Coastal Buoy Modernization Initiative in April 2025. The plan proposes discontinuing some buoys as part of efforts to advance a modern approach to physical aids to navigation. Coast Guard officials said the current buoy constellation predates global navigation satellite systems, electronic navigation charts, and electronic charting systems, which they said are widely used by today’s mariners.

But the plan received significant pushback. Coast Guard officials said more than 3,000 people commented on the plan, including harbormasters, fishermen, and ferry operators who said they rely on some of the buoys slated for removal, particularly during bad weather or at night. Other comments said large vessels and emergency boats rely on them as a meeting point.

A delegation of senators from around New England met with Coast Guard officials in May to discuss their concerns.

Coast Guard officials said they will release a revised proposal in the fall along with a two-month period for public comment. They said any changes will be implemented no earlier than 2026.