BOSTON – The Coast Guard is warning mariners that the recent nor’easter that battered the Atlantic coast knocked out numerous navigational buoys, creating potentially dangerous conditions for seafarers.

As the storm dissipated off the coast Thursday, Coast Guard crews from New Jersey to Maine began checking buoys – especially around harbors, river mouths and shipping channels – and discovered at least two dozen guidance aids had been damaged or destroyed, Petty Officer 2nd Class Luke Pinneo said. He said crews expect to find more as they continue their patrols.

“That’s why we really want to urge folks to use extreme caution when they’re out on the water now,” Pinneo said. “You could compare it to a traffic signal being out during a heavy storm.”

Pinneo said most of the buoys serve as visual navigation aids, but he said some contain electronic equipment that reports weather data to the Coast Guard.

He said anyone who is aware of damaged or displaced navigation aids or other hazards is urged to call the Coast Guard’s regional command center at (617) 223-8555.