MAINE PUBLIC • August 15, 2025
The U.S. Coast Guard says it will delay a plan to remove hundreds of navigational buoys from New England waters, following pushback from mariners and federal and state lawmakers in Maine. The proposal called for the removal of hundreds of buoys in New England waters, including nearly 150 in the Gulf of Maine. More than 3,000 people commented, according to the Coast Guard. Many were harbormasters, ferry operators and fishermen who rely on the buoys slated for removal, particularly at night or in poor weather. Others said the buoys served as a meeting point for large vessels and pilots, and that emergency boats relied on them to meet routine trips. The Coast Guard said the buoy changes are intended to support modern navigational needs, because electronic systems are more widely available and affordable.