The Coast Guard plans to upgrade its foghorns from its current old-style models to those with newer technology. The change will take place in New Hampshire and Maine communities.
According to the Associated Press, the new horns will be both safer and more effective. They will be activated through marine radios, as opposed to the current horns, which go off automatically when it is foggy. The new machines will most likely result in fewer blasts, noted the source, making them much more cost-effective options.
Community members in the affected regions are not thrilled about the change, reported Stars and Stripes. Because the old systems were going off frequently throughout the day, while the new systems chime only rarely, residents are concerned about their safety and effectiveness. While some residents are happy with the increased silence, most long-time dwellers of towns such as York, Maine, have been banding together in opposition of the switch.
The Coast Guard has decided to implement a year-long educational campaign to teach locals about the benefits of the new horns, which they hope will rally support in the seaside towns.