Rhode Island lawmakers are pushing back against a U.S. Coast Guard plan to remove 38 navigational aids along the state’s coastline, worried about the safety of boaters.
Most of the General Assembly has signed a letter to Coast Guard 1st District Commander Rear Admiral Michael E. Platt opposing the move. It’s part of a larger initiative to take out about 350 buoys, bells, and other markers from Maine to New York.
Rep. Michelle McGaw and Sen. Louis P. DiPalma are leading the charge, with all 37 senators and 49 of 75 representatives backing them.
“Every one of these aids was installed for a reason, and those reasons remain important to the safety of those on the water,” said Representative McGaw. “For example, many users of the Sakonnet River are gravely concerned about Sakonnet Bell Buoy 2A, which marks the middle of the river’s mouth. Particularly when it’s foggy, the many boaters of all skills levels in that busy area rely on the bell’s sound to stay on course and away from the many traps along the coast. Each of these navigational aids provides a similar message or warning to boaters, keeping our waters safe.”
The lawmakers argue that taking away these navigational aids will make things riskier for many boaters, especially those with smaller boats that don’t have fancy tech on board.
Said Senator DiPalma, “It’s penny-wise, pound-foolish to cut back on the markers that help boaters steer clear of hazards and avoid collisions. While we recognize that maintaining them comes with a cost, eliminating them will likely result in higher costs from increased emergencies and rescues, property damage to vessels, and most importantly, injuries and potential loss of lives.”
Rep. Lauren H. Carson and Sen. Linda L. Ujifusa have put forward matching resolutions in the House and Senate to oppose the plan.
“Safety on our waters is crucial to Rhode Island, for commercial activities, for recreational users, and for our tourism industry. Having a robust system of navigational aids helps everyone, especially those who might be visiting and are unfamiliar with our waters and the hazards that can’t be seen from above. It’s not in the interest of public safety to remove them,” said Representative Carson.
While electronic navigation is common now, the lawmakers stress that visual and sound markers are still crucial for safety. This is especially true in foggy weather or when electronic devices fail.
Rep. Terri Cortvriend, who co-sponsored the House resolution and owns a yacht equipment company, pointed out that even big commercial ships use these buoys as visual guides.
The Coast Guard is taking public comments on the proposal until June 13. Lawmakers are urging Rhode Islanders who are concerned to write in and ask for these navigational aids to be kept in place.
