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

Got a notification from the SC Port Commission:

https://www.santacruzharbor.org/files/1cc8e0c9b/Local+Notice+to+Mariners.pdf

The United States Coast Guard is proposing to remove the Mile Buoy and replace it with a mark on the chart. There would no longer be any buoy or other permanent marker in the waters along the Santa Cruz coastline.


The Coast Guard distributed a Local Notice to Mariners describing the proposed removal (see page 2 of the notice). They are requesting comments from all interested parties by Wednesday, April 3, 2024. 


Comments may be directed to LTJG Samantha Hu at (510) 437-2983 or via email at Samantha.G.Koval@uscg.mil.


The Coast Guard is particularly interested in any rationale relating to why the buoy is necessary for safe navigation in spite of the current availability and affordability of electronic navigation equipment (e.g. GPS).


Sincerely,


Holland MacLaurie

Port Director

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA-REPLACE SAFE WATER BUOY WITH V-AIS-PROPOSED CHANGE

The U. S. Coast Guard is proposing to remove the Santa Cruz Lighted Whistle Buoy SC (LLNR 4080) and replace with Virtual AIS (V-AIS) Aid to
Navigation. The aid is in position: 36-56-20.377N 122-00-34.656W.
Direct any questions, comments, or feedback no later than 03 April, 2024 to
LTJG Samantha Hu at 206-827-3518 or Samantha.G.Koval@uscg.mil.

At least once per year I thank the lord that buoy is in place when I get spun around in circles in the fog in Santa Cruz.  Sent an email right away to voice my opposition.

Thanks for the heads up!  Sent in my email... in case anyone wants any inspiration:

Good evening Ma'am,

My name is Ted Strzalkowski.  I served as a Boatswain's Mate in the USCG from 2000-2009.  I am an avid kayak angler and waterman.  I write today to provide feedback on the critical necessity of the Santa Cruz Mile Buoy (LLNR 4080) for the safety of life at sea.  I understand the USCG is always looking for ways to reduce costs and ensure budgets are used efficiently and I greatly respect that.  Replacing the Mile Buoy with a Virtual AIS aid would seemingly align with those goals.  In many cases, I'd absolutely agree with doing so given the advancement of technology.  However, I think the Mile Buoy is a unique and critical aid. 

I often fish the area on my kayak along with dozens of other kayakers amongst an even larger number of small craft.  None of the kayakers and few of the recreational small craft have AIS receivers on board.  Therefore, this proposal would be the same as removing the aid altogether.  Why would a safe water buoy be relevant to kayakers and small craft?  The area brings unique weather.  Much like what our shipmates at STA SF and STA Golden Gate deal with each day, there are dense fog banks that roll in, often without warning.  I cannot even count how many times I've been caught in limited visibility with that signature whistle from the morse alpha buoy helping me maintain my bearing alongside my compass.  I know many other kayakers and small craft operators have found themselves in similar shoes.  Additionally, there are times when the shoreline is in restricted visibility due to fog, but immediately offshore is clear.  The Mile Buoy is the only maintained aid in the area and serves as a visual reference for all mariners.

I strongly believe removal of this aid would result in an increase in SAR cases in the area.  An area that notably lacks a dedicated USCG Station (Station Small Santa Cruz is seasonally staffed while the waterways are busy year-round).  Additionally, in nearly every SAR case I've witnessed in the area, the Mile Buoy has served as a visual reference to vector assets towards victims.  I hope these considerations steer your office to reconsider this proposal and keep the Mile Buoy as a physical aid in order to uphold one of the Coast Guard's six core missions of ensuring a safe, secure, and environmentally sound waterways system.

With respect,
Ted Strzalkowski

Email sent.

Sacrilege!!!

thanks TEd.  I will relay same message but with my limited layman's terms.

Poit will be 'redundancy'  I need my compass, my gps, and the visual/audible mile buoy more tomes than I can remember in orer to make it home when the fog rolls in. I the old days, I'd triangulate from wharf/mile buoy/harbor horns with a big ear out for the sound of breaking surf.  Uour is the most cogent and info-rich presentation I've seen.  I will liberally plaigerize.

Allen

I always used the mile buoy as one of my visual line ups to locate south rock reef. Ling cod heaven. It would suck to lose that.

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/

Awesome work! I emailed but don’t think I ever got a reply.

Awesome work! I emailed but don’t think I ever got a reply.

No reply here, either.  I don't expect a reply from a public comment collection, though.

That's great to hear.

That's great to hear.

+1

I also sent them a message and did not get a reply (not that I was expecting one).

I sent a message too a few weeks back. The buoy is a great help in navigating and not everything is better in electronic form
.

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 ?

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 ?

Just cost savings.