摘要: |
Towing industry sources report that the Coast Guard awarded a $30 million contract two weeks ago to H&G Marine Services Inc., for about 4,000 buoys. The buoys should arrive at the beginning of November, according to a message to members of The American Waterways Operators by Lynn Muench, AWO senior vice president-regional advocacy. As unusual low water has led to more dredging than usual, "the Coast Guard has brought resources in to ensure buoys are at the right place at the right time," Muench said. '"All hands on deck' is the message from District 8 to the [Coast Guard] sectors." There are about 24,000 aids to navigation and 15,000 inland fixed buoys in the Eighth District's area of responsibility. Keeping them on station is a never-ending battle. How many need to be replaced-the buoy "burn rate"-depends on dredging, water levels, weather, storm activity, collisions and breakaways. |