ME HP1329

Maine's 132nd Legislature formally opposes the U.S. Coast Guard's plan to remove dozens of navigational buoys along the Maine coast

The Joint Standing Committee on Marine Resources voted unanimously on May 8, 2025 to send a letter expressing concern about the proposed removals

The Coast Guard's stated rationale is to modernize navigational aids and limit vessel transit risk at an acceptable cost

The resolution argues buoys are essential for Maine's irregular coastline, particularly in areas with rocky outcroppings, strong tides, dense fog, and hidden hazards at harbor entrances

Commercial fishermen, recreational boaters, and kayakers rely on physical aids because electronic navigation systems are not always reliable and many cannot afford the technology or subscriptions