USCG Proposing to Remove Mile Buoy - Santa Cruz - Voice opposition by 4/3/2024!

Mile Buoy to stay!

Through the collaborative efforts of stakeholders and the positive engagement from the Santa Cruz maritime community, the Coast Guard made the decision not to remove the Santa Cruz Lighted Buoy SC (LLNR 4080).

“This decision underscores our commitment to prioritizing safety while ensuring that the voices of the community are heard and considered,” said Capt. Steven Ramassini, chief, Coast Guard Office of Navigation Systems.

https://www.news.uscg.mil/Press-Releases/Article/3725612/santa-cruz-safe-water-buoy-to-stay-after-public-comment-period/

Woot!

Whats the reason for removal ?
Is it a danger to boaters who are going to fast and not looking where there going in the fog ?

Buoys aren't exactly cheap to maintain.  Mile Buoy is also the only USCG maintained buoy near Santa Cruz with a single buoy off Ano Nuevo and then Moss Landing to the south.  Fuel burn, crew time, etc. on a buoy tender capable of hoisting the sinker and maintaining the aid isn't cheap.  So, periodically, the USCG assesses the needs of these aids as technology, use, etc. evolve.  This was one of those cases.  It's actually a stellar example of how our system works.  The USCG can look at cost data and identify areas of saving and then put it to public comment and rely on the boating public to inform them if the need outweighs the cost.  Of course, Mile Buoy is one of those aids where the need/utility certainly outweigh the cost and that was made abundantly clear to the USCG.  You'll notice that they removed that aid from the proposal days before the public comment period even ended, highlighting how active the community was in making its needs known.   

Whats the reason for removal ?
Is it a danger to boaters who are going to fast and not looking where there going in the fog ?

Buoys aren't exactly cheap to maintain.  Mile Buoy is also the only USCG maintained buoy near Santa Cruz with a single buoy off Ano Nuevo and then Moss Landing to the south.  Fuel burn, crew time, etc. on a buoy tender capable of hoisting the sinker and maintaining the aid isn't cheap.  So, periodically, the USCG assesses the needs of these aids as technology, use, etc. evolve.  This was one of those cases.  It's actually a stellar example of how our system works.  The USCG can look at cost data and identify areas of saving and then put it to public comment and rely on the boating public to inform them if the need outweighs the cost.  Of course, Mile Buoy is one of those aids where the need/utility certainly outweigh the cost and that was made abundantly clear to the USCG.  You'll notice that they removed that aid from the proposal days before the public comment period even ended, highlighting how active the community was in making its needs known.

^^Love this