News Summary
The U.S. Coast Guard has revised its navigational buoy removal plans in Rhode Island, scaling back the number from 37 to 20 after public feedback. The overall removal plan for the Northeast now stands at 233 buoys, compared to the originally proposed 350. Additional safety measures, including new lighting and sound signals, will be implemented for the buoys that remain. A public comment period has been reopened, encouraging mariners to share input until November 15.
Rhode Island – The U.S. Coast Guard has announced a significant revision to its plans for navigational buoy removals in the Northeast, specifically affecting Rhode Island. Following feedback from over 3,000 boaters and advocates, the proposed removal of 37 buoys has been scaled back to 20. This decision reflects the Coast Guard’s commitment to considering public safety and input in its operations.
Overall, the revised plan aims to remove a total of 233 buoys from federal waters across the Northeast, a decrease from the 350 originally planned. Approximately one-third of the buoys still earmarked for removal will be equipped with additional lighting and sound signals to help mitigate safety impacts for mariners.
The Coast Guard maintains about 400 buoys in Rhode Island, and an interactive online map has been made available to detail the specific buoys that are targeted for removal. This tool allows mariners and the public to visualise which navigational aids will no longer be in place.
The initial proposal to reduce the number of buoys was framed as a response to advancements in technology. The Coast Guard argued that many of the buoys set for removal were older systems installed prior to the widespread use of GPS. However, this rationale faced pushback from various stakeholders, including mariners, environmental advocates, and local lawmakers.
Critics raised valid concerns regarding the safety implications of removing these navigational aids, particularly for boaters operating in adverse weather conditions or when GPS is not accessible. In response to these concerns, U.S. Senator Jack Reed emphasized the value of public involvement in the decision-making process, stating that local knowledge plays a crucial role in understanding the navigation needs of Rhode Island’s waters.
The Coast Guard has reopened a public comment period regarding the revised proposal. Affected mariners are encouraged to share their perspectives until November 15. Officials are particularly interested in feedback that discusses the size and type of vessels used, how the buoys assist in navigation, and the distances at which mariners typically start looking for and depending on these buoys.
Comments can be submitted via email to [email protected], referencing Project No. 01-25-015. This opportunity for public input follows a previous comment period that ended on June 13, prior to the announcement of the revised plan.
Support has been growing among local lawmakers who are advocating for the preservation of these navigational aids, suggesting that maintaining them is essential for public safety. This sentiment has received endorsement from the majority of the General Assembly, indicating strong opposition to the initial proposal.
Concerns have also been voiced about the potential negative impact on smaller boats and navigators who may not be familiar with Rhode Island’s waterways. The protections provided by the buoys are seen as critical for ensuring safe passage, especially for those who may lack extensive local knowledge.
As the public comment period continues, it remains to be seen how the ongoing feedback will further shape the Coast Guard’s final decisions regarding buoy removals in Rhode Island and the broader Northeast region. The agency’s willingness to pause and revise its plans in response to public feedback illustrates a commitment to balancing modernization efforts with the safety and navigational needs of mariners.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Rhode Island Current
- Wikipedia: Navigational buoy
- Providence Journal
- Google Search: Coast Guard buoy removal Rhode Island
- What’s Up Newp
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Coast Guard
- Warwick Online
- Google News: Coast Guard Rhode Island buoy removal
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