This site was developed by Great Harbor Digital
‼️ The Issue
The U.S. Coast Guard has proposed a wide-reaching plan to remove or alter hundreds of navigational markers along the Northeast US coast, including buoys, daybeacons, and lights that have long helped mariners safely navigate coastal and inland waters. These changes, published in the Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) 01-16-2025, are part of an effort to streamline the Aids to Navigation (ATON) system — but many in the maritime community have raised concerns about how these removals could impact safety, access, and local knowledge.
This site is an attempt to visualize and track all proposed marker removals in District 1 using public data, mapping tools like Leaflet.js, OpenStreetMap, Marine Traffic and feedback from local mariners. This data is based on the document linked above, published on April 15, 2025.
💬 How You Can Help
If you’re concerned about the proposed removal of navigational markers in your area, you can make your voice heard. The U.S. Coast Guard is accepting public comments, and feedback from mariners and local communities is critical in shaping final decisions. To share your perspective, email DPWPublicComments@uscg.mil with your observations, concerns, or support regarding specific markers. Even a short message can make a difference.
To make your comments as impactful as possible, please include the type and size of your vessel (recreational or commercial), how the aid supports your navigation, and the distance at which you typically begin to rely on it.
⚠️ Disclaimer
This chart is for informational purposes only and is not to be used for navigation. The marker locations and descriptions shown here are approximate and were compiled through a manual review of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Local Notice to Mariners (LNM 01-16-2025). While we’ve made every effort to ensure accuracy, this map should not be relied upon for making navigational decisions. Please double check the marker data against the Local Notice to Mariners document listed above. Always consult official NOAA charts and U.S. Coast Guard publications for up-to-date and authoritative navigational information.