The U.S. Coast Guard is proposing to remove dozens of navigation buoys along Rhode Island’s coastline as part of a broader effort to modernize maritime navigation—and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) is urging local mariners to speak up before the changes become final.
About 350 buoys across the First Coast Guard District—roughly 6% of the federally maintained aids to navigation—are slated for removal. That includes around three dozen off Rhode Island in the first phase alone. The Coast Guard says the move is part of a shift toward more efficient, tech-driven systems like GPS and electronic charting tools.
“This proposal aims to align navigation aids with the needs of 21st-century mariners,” said Matthew Stuck, chief of waterways management for the district. “But public comment is essential to ensure the system remains safe and effective.”
Rhode Island currently has about 400 federally maintained buoys. If all phases proceed, the state could lose up to 25% of them, including those in harbors and shallow waterways.
Reed, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, emphasized the need for local input. “Rhode Islanders know these waters best,” he said. “Their voices should guide Coast Guard decision-making.”
While the Coast Guard insists physical aids will remain an essential backup when technology fails, Reed cautioned against prioritizing cost savings over safety.
“Everyone agrees it’s better to save a life than a few bucks,” he said.
Mariners have until June 13 to provide input. Comments must be submitted by email to D01-SMB-DPWPublicComments@uscg.mil and should include the type and size of vessel, how the buoys are used, and at what distance they are relied upon.
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