HOUSE RESOLUTION STRONGLY REPROVING THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD'S PLAN TO REMOVE 38 BUOYS FROM RHODE ISLAND WATERS
H6372 is a House resolution that strongly reproves the U.S. Coast Guard’s plan to remove 38 buoys from Rhode Island waters and urges the Coast Guard to retain and maintain those aids to navigation. The resolution frames the issue as one of boating safety and economic importance, emphasizing that Rhode Island’s maritime industry is a major driver of the state economy and that many boaters rely on physical navigation markers, especially in congested and complex waterways such as Narragansett Bay.
The resolution argues that while the Coast Guard is moving toward more modern navigation tools such as GPS, electronic charts, and smartphone apps, Rhode Island still depends heavily on traditional buoys and markers. It highlights the presence of roughly 400 aids to navigation in the state, about 40,000 registered boats, and the risk that smaller or less technologically equipped vessels could face if buoys are removed. The measure also notes that aids to navigation mark channels, hazards, restricted areas, and traffic separations, making them important for both recreational and commercial traffic.
As a resolution, H6372 does not change Rhode Island statutory law or create new regulatory requirements. Instead, it expresses the House’s official position and directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies to the Rhode Island congressional delegation, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, and Coast Guard officials. Its practical effect is political and advocacy-oriented: it seeks to influence a federal navigation decision affecting Rhode Island waters.
The general sentiment around the bill appears strongly supportive and largely unanimous. The recorded House vote on June 12, 2025 was 67-0 in favor of passage, indicating broad agreement that buoy removal could undermine safety and navigation in state waters. The resolution reflects concern that federal modernization should not come at the expense of local knowledge and established boating practices.
The main point of contention is the Coast Guard’s proposal to reduce physical navigation aids in favor of electronic systems. Supporters of the resolution argue that Rhode Island’s waterways, boating conditions, and vessel mix make buoys essential, while the Coast Guard’s modernization approach assumes greater reliance on technology. The resolution also suggests tension between federal decision-making and Rhode Island’s maritime community, with the state asserting that the views and experience of local boaters should carry significant weight.
H6372 has no direct effect on Rhode Island statutes, but it formally states the House’s opposition to a federal Coast Guard proposal and seeks to influence federal action regarding navigation aids in Rhode Island waters. The resolution is directed at federal officials and state maritime stakeholders, and its practical impact is to advocate for continued buoy maintenance to support boating safety, commercial navigation, and the state’s maritime economy.
The sentiment surrounding H6372 is overwhelmingly favorable and protective of existing navigation aids. The House passed the resolution 67-0, suggesting broad bipartisan agreement that the proposed buoy removals could create safety risks and harm Rhode Island’s boating community. The discussion embedded in the resolution itself is strongly critical of the Coast Guard’s plan and supportive of retaining the buoys.
The central contention is whether Rhode Island waters should rely more on modern electronic navigation tools or continue to maintain a robust network of physical buoys and markers. Supporters of the resolution, including the sponsors and the House majority, emphasize safety, local knowledge, and the needs of smaller or less technologically equipped boaters. The opposing position is represented by the Coast Guard’s modernization proposal, which favors fewer physical aids in light of GPS, electronic charts, and smartphone-based navigation.