A 49-foot Buoy Utility Stern Loading (BUSL) boat crew from Aids to Navigation Team Southwest Harbor performs maintenance on a buoy, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017 near Southwest Harbor, Maine. Photo courtesy U.S. Coast Guard, image from: https://gcaptain.com/u-s-coast-guard-to-remove-350-navigation-buoys-in-northeast-waters/

USCG to Decommission 350 Buoys in Northeast Aids‑to‑Navigation Modernization

On April 30, 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard First District unveiled a proposal to discontinue approximately 350 buoys in the Northeast Atlantic, nearly 6 % of its 5,640 federally maintained aids to navigation (AtoN), as part of a comprehensive modernization effort. This initiative follows a two‑year evaluation aimed at identifying which buoys remain critical for risk reduction and which can be retired without compromising safety.

Coast Guard officials explained that the existing buoy network was largely established before the advent of global navigation satellite systems and widespread use of electronic navigation charts and charting systems. “This proposal aims to support waterway safety by ensuring the right short‑range aids work well with modern navigation technology,” said Matthew Stuck, chief of Waterways Management for the First District. By reducing maintenance on underutilized buoys, resources can be reallocated to sustain those markers most essential for safe transit.

Despite the rapid adoption of GPS and smartphone navigation apps among mariners, physical buoys remain a vital redundancy in the event of electronic failures. The Coast Guard emphasizes that its modernization plan will preserve a robust network of critical aids to navigation to mitigate risks during system outages and to support vessels operating under varied conditions.

No Blame on Seafarers Ahead of IMO Day
No Blame on Seafarers Ahead of IMO Day
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Local stakeholders have expressed concern over the potential safety implications of removing traditional markers. In Rhode Island waters alone, 38 buoys under review delineate channels, traffic separation schemes and hazard areas; harbor masters warn that their absence could increase the risk of groundings, especially during fog or GPS disruptions. Similar objections have been raised in high‑traffic zones such as Boston Harbor and Long Island Sound, where reliance on physical aids remains strong.

Mariners, commercial operators, and recreational boaters are invited to submit written comments on the proposal by June 13, 2025. Submissions should include vessel dimensions, typical operating areas, and the maximum distance from shore at which each buoy is used. Detailed charts and interactive mapping tools are available through the Coast Guard’s Maritime Safety Information Products portal.

As the maritime community transitions toward digital navigation, this phased, data‑driven approach seeks to balance efficiency, cost savings, and environmental stewardship with the enduring need for reliable physical markers. The outcome of the public comment period will shape the final configuration of aids to navigation in one of the nation’s busiest coastal corridors.

Key Facts:

  • Proposal Date: April 30, 2025

  • Buoys Under Review: ~350 (6 % of First District AtoN)

  • Public Comment Deadline: June 13, 2025

  • First District Coverage: New York City metro area to the Maine–Canada border

  • Rationale: Modernize buoy constellation, improve efficiency, maintain safety redundancies with electronic navigation systems