Title 14, Coast GuardRelease 119-110

§552 Discontinuance of Aid to Navigation

Title 14 › SUBTITLE I — ESTABLISHMENT, POWERS, DUTIES, AND ADMINISTRATION › CHAPTER 5 — FUNCTIONS AND POWERS › SUBCHAPTER III — AIDS TO NAVIGATION › § 552

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary must create, within 180 days, a process to stop any aid to navigation (except seasonal or temporary ones) run by the Coast Guard. The process must require public notice before an aid is discontinued and must prevent any removal that could make waters unsafe or harm maritime readiness, including food security and maritime transportation. The Secretary must consult the Navigation Safety Advisory Council and, for aids in a State’s coastal or inland waterways, the State’s public and local stakeholders—such as state, local, and Tribal agencies and emergency responders; ports, pilots, and harbormasters; fishers and fishing groups; operators of ferries, marinas, passenger vessels, and recreational boats; and coastal residents. Within 30 days after the process is set, the Secretary must notify the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Full Legal Text

Title 14, §552

Coast Guard, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In General.—
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a process for the discontinuance of an aid to navigation (other than a seasonal or temporary aid) established, maintained, or operated by the Coast Guard.
(b)Requirement.—
The process established under subsection (a) shall include procedures—
(1)to notify the public of any discontinuance of an aid to navigation described in that subsection; and
(2)to safeguard against any discontinuation that may compromise the safety of mariners or the public or hinder maritime operational readiness, including with respect to food security and maritime transportation.
(c)Consultation.—
In establishing a process under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with and consider any recommendations of— (1)
(2)with respect to aids to navigation established, maintained, or operated by the Coast Guard and located in the coastal or inland waterways of a State, the public of such State and relevant stakeholders, including—
(A)State agencies;
(B)State, local, and Tribal law enforcement, fire, and emergency response agencies;
(C)Indian Tribes;
(D)port;
(E)pilots;
(F)harbormasters;
(G)commercial and recreational fishermen, including fishing associations;
(H)ferry operators;
(I)marina operators;
(J)recreational boaters;
(K)passenger vessel operators; and
(L)coastal residents.
(d)Notification.—
Not later than 30 days after the date on which the process is established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall notify the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives of such process.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The date of enactment of this section, referred to in subsec. (a), is the date of enactment of Pub. L. 119–60, which was approved Dec. 18, 2025.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

14 U.S.C. § 552

Title 14, Coast Guard

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110