Coast Guard Backs Off On Plan To Remove Buoys

A navigation buoy equipped with solar panels. Photo/Pixabay

The Coast Guard is backing off its plan to remove hundreds of navigational buoys from New England waters.

On Tuesday night, October 21, Coast Guard officials announced they are closing the period for providing comments to the Coastal Buoy Modernization Proposal and will instead conduct further analysis on the aids to navigation (ATON) system.

They said there will be no changes to ATON in relation to the proposal until further analysis is complete.

In August, Coast Guard officials announced they were 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.

They recently reopened public comments on proposed ATON changes in the Northeast, and the comment period was scheduled to remain open until November 15, 2025.

Closing the comment period early and pausing the plan comes after Coast Guard officials said they’ve received more than 3,200 comments on the issue.

“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 Admiral Michael Platt, the Northeast Coast Guard District Commander. “The Northeast Coast Guard District will continue to ensure a safe, secure, and efficient Maritime Transportation System. 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.”