Editor’s note: This letter was sent to the United States Coast Guard as officials consider removing Bell Buoy 2A (AKA the middle buoy) one mile west of Sakonnet Harbor. He asked that it be published in the Sakonnet Times as well.

Respectfully, I ask that you reconsider the Coast Guard’s proposal to remove Bell Buoy 2A from the mouth of the Sakonnet River. Instead, I ask that the Coast Guard keep Bell Buoy in place.

The sea has given us many heroes. Who can forget Ida Lewis’ heroics in the Newport waters?

Another hero, Howard Blackburn, a Gloucester fisherman, ran into foul weather and he eventually rowed for five days with frozen hands in order to reach the shores of Newfoundland.

Now it is the Coast Guard’s turn to be a hero and keep the Sakonnet River Bell Buoy 2A in place. Thank you for your consideration.

Richard S. Humphrey

Tiverton