Increasing Safety in the La Quinta Channel

When the La Quinta channel was completed, Aids to Navigation (ATONs) such as buoys and beacons were not installed as originally planned. They are a necessary safety feature, (they help harbor pilots guide boats through the channel) and the Port of Corpus Christi intends to install them at the port's expense and receive reimbursement from the Coast Guard.

Last week, the House passed H.R. 5978, the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Amendments Act, which included language I authored so that the Coast Guard can reimburse the port for the cost of constructing ATONs. The passage of this bill will allow necessary aids to navigation installed both faster and cheaper, improving safety and increasing the capacity of ports. To view the full text of the bill, please click here.