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. Since the buoys have been placed, Coast Guard technicians conduct regular servicing and discover aids off their mooring, 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 limiting or negating visibility of the aids from their intended purpose, to provide safe passage to mariners.