SOUTHWEST HARBOR – The Coast Guard is taking a look at hundreds of bells, buoys and other navigational aids in the Penobscot Bay region.

According to Chief Warrant Officer Jeff Chase, the Coast Guard is required to review the effectiveness of navigational aids in critical waterways such as Penobscot Bay every five years. He said the Coast Guard is soliciting input from the public about existing navigational aids to determine whether they are meeting boating needs and whether they may be affected by planned maritime projects.

Chase said the Cianbro project in Brewer, which will involve the company moving prefabricated building modules by barge from its site on the Penobscot River, will definitely have an effect on river traffic.

“That obviously is going to have some implications for ice-breaking next year,” Chase said. Whether the Cianbro project will warrant making changes to existing navigational aids is not yet known, he said.

No public meetings are planned, but the Coast Guard could meet with a local harbor committee to review any major projects such as a new marina, Chase said.

Besides looking at existing navigational buoys, including those equipped with lights or bells, the Coast Guard will revisit published navigational material and weigh the possibility of requiring pilot services in the area. The scope of the analysis will extend from Isle au Haut, Tenants Harbor and Vinalhaven at the southern end of the bay all the way north to Bangor, according to Chase.

Anyone wishing to contact the Coast Guard with comments or recommendations about this project is asked to do so by May 15. People can do so by sending an e-mail to kurt.d.strauch@uscg.mil, by calling 244-4234 or contacting Chase at 741-5442.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.