The Coast Guard is asking the public to stay off federal navigation buoys.

“Climbing on buoys is dangerous and illegal.  These are big, heavy pieces of steel that bounce around on the water.  When it comes to steel versus human bone and flesh, the steel will win every time in these cases,” said Coast Guard Captain of the Port Brian LeFebvre, in a news release.

Navigational buoys are in place to clearly mark safe shipping channels for tankers, ferries and other commercial vessels.  Interfering with a buoy is illegal and could result in the Coast Guard responding to a non-distress situation when there may be other people on the water in need of actual assistance.  

The fine for climbing on a federal navigational buoy is $500.  To report interference with aids to navigation, contact the Sector Northern New England operations center at 207-767-0303.