Moulton Amendment to Study Buoy Removal Passes Committee in Coast Guard Reauthorization Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA) today announced that his amendment requiring a comprehensive study on the use of buoys passed out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee as part of the Coast Guard reauthorization bill.
The amendment responds to a recent Coast Guard proposal to remove over 350 buoys in the Northeast, including 24 in Moulton’s district. The Coast Guard has framed the plan as a modernization effort, but local harbormasters and maritime stakeholders are concerned that this is simply a cost-cutting move that compromises safety by removing physical navigation aids. Buoys serve as a critical backstop when GPS fails or digital screens become too difficult to read during adverse conditions on the water.
This amendment will stop the removal of buoys until the study is conducted and the results are reviewed by the Coast Guard.
“I support modernizing our maritime infrastructure and embracing innovative navigation technologies,” said Congressman Moulton. “But innovation should complement, not replace, critical safety infrastructure like buoys — especially in the challenging waters that run the length of the North Shore, from Newburyport to Nahant.
The provision directs the Coast Guard to conduct a comprehensive, data-driven study on the use and reliability of physical buoys in the First Coast Guard District (which includes the Northeast), the Missouri River, and the Thirteenth District (covering the Pacific Northwest). It will ensure that Congress has objective data on safety consequences and cost implications before the Coast Guard takes action to remove buoys.
In a hearing today, Moulton pointed specifically to the Coast Guard’s plan to remove buoys at the mouth of the Merrimack River and near Plum Island — areas with a history of accidents and treacherous conditions. Until recently, Station Newburyport was one of only four designated “Surf Stations” on the East Coast, a designation that underscores the difficulty of navigating its waters.
Industry and stakeholder groups are also applauding this provision:
BoatUS: “On behalf of our over 750,000 members including some 20,000 in Massachusetts, the Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatU.S.) deeply appreciates The adoption of Representative Moulton’s legislation to study the consequences of any removals of aids-to-navigation (AToNs.) Many boaters rely on physical aids-to-navigation as a primary means of finding safe passages, making removals a serious matter that requires careful review. The adoption of Representatives bi-partisan proposal is a commonsense approach that will benefit boaters in the Massachusetts 6th district and nationwide.” – David Kennedy, BoatUS Government Affairs
National Marine Manufacturers Association: “NMMA applauds Congressman Moulton for championing this commonsense amendment to protect critical navigational buoys and ensure the voices of boaters are heard before changes move forward. Physical aids to navigation are vital for the safety of everyone on the water and this amendment ensures that modernization doesn’t come at the cost of safety. NMMA is proud to support this bipartisan effort.” – Robyn Boerstling, NMMA Chief Advocacy Officer and Senior Vice President of Government Relations
American Pilots' Association: “The American Pilots’ Association strongly supports Representative Moulton's legislation. Our members are charged with moving billions of dollars of maritime commerce every day. These maritime professionals rely upon a constant and resilient aids to navigation system. Representative Moulton’s bill will help to ensure this aids to navigation system remains intact.” – Clayton L. Diamond, APA Executive Director and General Counsel
The amendment now advances with the full reauthorization bill for further consideration in the House.
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