Robinson’s Hole is just south of Woods Hole in the Elizabeth Islands. It is narrow, but well marked. However, the Coast Guard has proposed removing all buoys from it as a cost cutting measure. Below is a Coast Guard notice of a public hearing on the issue, as well as some background and a list of proposed changes to navigational aids:
The U.S. Coast Guard announces two public meetings to receive comments on its proposed changes to some Federal aids-to-navigation (ATON) in southeastern Massachusetts waterways. The proposed changes were first announced on May 16, 2016, and public comments were solicited through June 30, 2016, when the comment period ended. Over 100 comments have been received, including some that requested an opportunity to express views at a public meeting. Consequently, the Coast Guard has arranged for two public meetings:
1. 5:30 – 7:30 p.m, September 22, 2016 at the Katharine Cornell Theater 54 Sprint Street, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568
2. 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., September 28, 2016 at Massachusetts Maritime Academy Blinn Hall, 101 Academy Drive, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
The public is invited and encouraged to attend and speak directly to Coast Guard officials regarding the potential impacts to navigation safety that may result if all or part of the proposed ATON changes are adopted. The proposed changes, initially published in Marine Safety Information Bulletin 05-16 on May 16, 2016, are re-printed below.
Questions regarding this bulletin may be addressed to Mr. Edward G. LeBlanc at U.S. Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England, Edward.G.LeBlanc@uscg.mil or 401-435-2351.
Richard J. Schultz
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard
Captain of the Port
Southeastern New England
U.S. COAST GUARD SECTOR SOUTHEASTERN NEW ENGLAND PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS, AIDS TO NAVIGATION SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS MAY 2016
Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England continues efforts to optimize the federal aids to navigation (ATON) system in the waterways of Southeastern Massachusetts, and proposes to make some modest changes that may affect 43 of the approximately 450 federal ATON in Buzzards Bay, Nantucket Sound, and adjacent waters. We carefully evaluated these reasonably limited measures that will maintain or improve navigation safety while increasing the efficiency and cost effectiveness of our overall ATON program. Our review suggests that the 43 aids identified in this proposal consume Coast Guard (and taxpayer) resources that exceed any navigation safety benefit delivered to the boating public.
Of the 43 aids identified for modification, two are proposed to be relocated nearby their current positions, 10 are proposed to have their sound signal (bell) removed, and 31 buoys that provide very limited or no additional navigation safety value have been identified for removal.
We will carefully consider all comments submitted and adjust our proposal if warranted. Only then will we begin to make on-the-water changes to aids to navigation, and in no case would any of these changes take place before November 1, 2016.
Coast Guard Light List and Recommendation
1. 17440 Westport Harbor Approach LBB “WH” Disestablish & Remove
2. 16786 Inez Rock Buoy “11” Disestablish & Remove
3. 17060 Mattapoisett Harbor Buoy “2” Disestablish & Remove
4. 17090 Mattapoisett Harbor Buoy “8” Disestablish & Remove
5. 17100 Mattapoisett Harbor Buoy “10” Disestablish & Remove
6. 16335 Quissett Harbor Buoy “4” Disestablish & Remove
7. 17080 Mattapoisett Harbor Buoy “6” Relocate
8. 16330 Quissett Harbor Buoy “2” Relocate
9. 16095 Cleveland Ledge LBB “2” Remove sound signal
10. 16120 Cleveland Ledge LGB “7” Remove sound signal
11. 16035 Buzzards Bay LBB “6” Remove sound signal
12. 16050 Buzzards Bay LGB “8” Remove sound signal
13. 16060 Buzzards Bay LGB “10” Remove sound signal
14. 16055 Buzzards Bay LBB “BB” Remove sound signal
15. 15675 Little Harbor Buoy “9” Disestablish & Remove
16. 15680 Little Harbor Buoy “10” Disestablish & Remove
17. 15875 Robinson’s Hole Buoy “1” Disestablish & Remove
18. 15880 Robinson’s Hole Buoy “3” Disestablish & Remove
19. 15885 Robinson’s Hole Buoy “4” Disestablish & Remove
20. 15890 Robinson’s Hole Buoy “6” Disestablish & Remove
21. 15895 Robinson’s Hole Buoy “8” Disestablish & Remove
22. 15900 Robinson’s Hole Buoy “10” Disestablish & Remove
23. 15905 Robinson’s Hole Buoy “11” Disestablish & Remove
24. 13535 Pollock Rip LGB “4” Remove sound signal
25. 13545 Pollock Rip LBB “6” Remove sound signal
26. 13565 Pollock Rip LBB “10” Remove sound signal
27. 13640 Great Round Shoal LBB “13” Remove sound signal
28. 14055 Saquatucket Buoy “8” Disestablish & Remove
29. 14060 Saquatucket Buoy “9” Disestablish & Remove
30. 14515 Hyannis Harbor Approach LBB “HH” Disestablish & Remove
31. 14525 Hyannis Harbor LB “4” Disestablish & Remove
32. 14710 Channel Rk Disestablish & Remove
33. 14720 Gannet Ledge “6” Disestablish & Remove
34. 14725 Spindle Rock “8” Disestablish & Remove
35. 14730 Cotuit Anchorage LBB “1” Disestablish & Remove
36. 15295 Madaket Harbor Approach LBB “2” Disestablish & Remove
37. 15375 Muskeget Channel Buoy “5” Disestablish & Remove
38. 15425 Edgartown Harbor Buoy “9” Disestablish & Remove
39. 15440 Lone Rock Buoy “1” Disestablish & Remove
40. 15455 Oak Bluffs Junction Buoy* Disestablish & Remove
41. 15465 Vineyard Haven Buoy “4” Disestablish & Remove
42. 15590 Lucas Shoal Buoy “LS” Disestablish & Remove
43. 16315 Cuttyhunk East Entrance LBB “CH” Disestablish & Remove
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