Navigational Aids
The LCIA Marine Committee was established to ensure the navigable waterways of the Les Cheneaux Islands are well identified.
They annually identify potential waterway hazards and then places buoys in the Les Cheneaux waterway to identify these hazards. The map at the bottom of this page shows approximately where the buoys are placed.
Knowledgeable boaters will quickly recognize these buoys which are positioned to help them avoid the hazards. While the goal is always safe water activities, LCIA buoys have saved each of us from the pain and expense of broken props.
Fun Fact: LCIA places and maintains over 125 hazard markers in our waters each year. Our cost for the buoy placement, maintenance, retrieval and storage is over $15,000 per year.
May 2024 Update
Every year volunteers Steve Honnila and the crew from Viking Boat Harbor place LCIA Buoys all over the island waterways marking navigational hazards. This is an enormous task and they work hard to get them in the water before the season begins. This year they are starting the process the week of May 13 and expect to be done before Memorial Day.
Fun Fact: A new prop can cost anywhere from $250 for a small boat to $7,000. A 18' Dauntless prop could run $1,000.
