 STATE HOUSE – An overwhelming majority of the members of the General Assembly are urging the U.S. Coast Guard to scrap its proposal to remove 38 navigational aids that help guide boaters around the coast of Rhode Island.
In an effort led by Rep. Michelle McGaw (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton) and Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Little Compton, Newport, Tiverton), all 37 members of the Senate and 49 of the 75 members of the House of Representatives have submitted a letter to Coast Guard 1st District Commander Rear Admiral Michael E. Platt opposing the district’s plan, which is part of the “Coastal Buoy Modernization Initiative” to remove about 350 buoys, bells and other markers along the coast from Maine to New York.
Rep. Lauren H. Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport) and Sen. Linda L. Ujifusa (D-Dist. 11, Portsmouth, Bristol) have also introduced matching House and Senate resolutions (2025-H 6372, 2025-S 1117) expressing opposition to the proposal.
The Coast Guard describes its plan as “modernizing and rightsizing the buoy constellation,” but the legislators argue that removing the navigational aids will increase the risk for the many boaters along Rhode Island’s busy coast.
“While we understand that modern technology now allows captains of many vessels to navigate entirely by electronic means, we must speak up on behalf of those who sail our bay and beyond on smaller boats, as many of our constituents do,” said the letter submitted to the Coast Guard. “Here in the Ocean State, access to our coastal waters is a cherished right for all — one so important that it is enshrined in our state constitution. We believe very strongly that the ocean is for everyone, not just for those with means. Thousands of Rhode Islanders travel along our 400 miles of coast on small, unsophisticated vessels that are not equipped with advanced technology. The buoys and markers that are on the chopping block provide critical visual and/or audible warnings that protect them from very lethal hazards.”
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.”
In addition to the letter, many legislators individually have submitted comments to the Coast Guard to describe the importance of particular markers.
“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 resolutions point to the 40,000 registered boats in Rhode Island and the thousands more brought by visitors, as well as the often-crowded conditions in the state’s coastal waters, saying the navigational aids marking channels, hazards, restricted areas and traffic separations and are crucial for safe navigation The Senate adopted its resolution Tuesday; the House held a hearing on it the same day.
“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.
Said Senator Ujifusa, “Technology has improved navigation in many ways, but when it comes to public safety, it’s unsafe to count on technology to be infallible. Systems go down, signals get lost, power sometimes fails. Recreational users and those on smaller vessels may be relying on their phones, which can be broken, dropped in the water or run out of power. Our navigational aids are a critical, reliable system that boaters can always count on for safety, and we need them to be maintained.”
Additionally, the resolutions state that safety is crucial to the state’s commercial and industrial sectors operating on the water.
Rep. Terri Cortvriend (D-Dist. 72, Portsmouth, Middletown), a cosponsor of the House resolution and owner and operator of a yacht equipment and servicing company in Portsmouth, said the captains of the vessels she services are very concerned about the safety of the water should navigational aids be removed.
“Everybody relies on these buoys, not just those with small boats. Even large commercial ships need them there as a failsafe backup and a visual cue, marking the channels and the hazards. If a large yacht runs aground, that’s a tremendous danger and a very expensive problem. The maritime industry is an economic driver in Rhode Island, so boating safety needs to be protected,” she said.
The legislators encourage all concerned Rhode Islanders to submit letters to the Coast Guard urging it to preserve the navigational aids in Rhode Island it is considering removing. The Coast Guard is accepting public comment via email at D01-SMB-DPWPublicComments@uscg.mil until June 13. Comments should mention they relate to “Project 01-25-015,” and, if applicable, specify which navigational aids are of greatest concern to the person commenting. Click here for information on the plan, including a map of navigational aids.
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A copy of the letter to the Coast Guard is attached.
For more information, contact:
Meredyth R. Whitty, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-1923
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