The U.S. Coast Guard has proposed to remove navigation aids from up and down the East Coast, including more than 100 in Maine waters.
A notice issued on April 15 listing the locations of buoys that would be discontinued, includes more than 40 in Penobscot Bay and a dozen from around Mount Desert Island.
The buoys targeted for removal mark harbor entrances, ledges, and other routes and hazards. Some are lighted, while others have gongs, bells or whistles, according to detailed descriptions in the notice.
According to the Coast Guard, most, if not all would be removed to modernize a constellation of navigation aids “whose designs mostly predate global navigation satellite systems, electronic navigation charts, and electronic charting systems.”
The intention, the Coast Guard says, is to “support the navigational needs of the 21st century prudent mariner … Deliver effective, economical service — manage vessel transit risk to acceptable levels at acceptable cost.”
This will “support and complement modern mariners, today’s much larger ships, ECS [Electronic Charting Systems] availability and requirements, and powerful smartphone navigation subscription apps affordably accessible to virtually all waterway users.”
An uncredited site not affiliated with the Coast Guard has compiled an interactive map of the buoys proposed for removal. The Bangor Daily News verified a number, but not all, of the locations against the Coast Guard list.
The Coast Guard is accepting public comment until June 13.
