SAULT STE. MARIE (AP) -- The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting its annual retrieval of buoys from the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Operation Fall Retrieve began last month and is expected to be completed by Dec. 28.

The Coast Guard plans to retrieve 1,264 navigational aids. That's about half of the buoys it manages in the region.

The buoys are removed because of decreased winter vessel traffic and to minimize damage from ice and severe weather.

The Cleveland-based Ninth Coast Guard District manages the buoys.  Six Coast Guard cutters are involved in the effort.

More information can be found by clicking on the link to the Ninth Coast Guard District 

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