Buoy bashing

From the U.S. Coast Guard:

May 28, 2009

Navigational aids targeted by vandals, thieves

JUNEAU, Alaska — The Coast Guard has set numerous seasonal aids to navigation, including the Mendenhall Bar and Holkahm Bay buoys, to aid mariners in safely navigating the waterways.

Coast Guard technicians have conducted regular servicing and discovered aids off their moorings, with batteries stolen or riddled with bullet holes. These and other acts of vandalism waste valuable time and taxpayer funds with repairs and replacement, as well as limit or negate visibility of the aids.

There are over 800 aids facilitating the flow of commerce throughout Southeast Alaska year-round. The Coast Guard aims to ensure that all aids to navigation are on station, displaying proper characteristics.

Persons who vandalize, obstruct or impair the usefulness of aids to navigation in any way are subject to a fine of $2,500 and up to one year in prison.

Vandalism or theft are most often reported in Gastineau Channel, lower Stephens Passage, and Olga and Neva Straits near Sitka.

In 2007, McDonald Rock Lighted Buoy in Stephens Passage was shot by a large-caliber rifle and sunk. The cost of a replacement buoy was over $28,000.

Boaters who notice discrepant, missing or damaged aids, or witness anyone vandalizing or stealing aids, are requested to contact the nearest Coast Guard unit or the District 17 Command Center at (907) 463-2001.