Which agency maintains federal aids to navigation?

The Coast Guard is the agency responsible for maintaining federal aids to navigation. This includes a wide range of navigational markers such as lighthouses, buoys, and other signaling devices that help ensure safe passage for maritime traffic. The Coast Guard's primary mission is to protect lives, property, and the environment on the water, and part of that mission encompasses the management and upkeep of navigation aids.

While other agencies may play roles in related areas—such as the Army Corps of Engineers, which manages water resources and infrastructure, or the National Ocean Service, which focuses on mapping and oceanographic data, and the Maritime Administration, which supports the U.S. maritime industry—none are tasked specifically with the responsibility of maintaining these critical navigational aids. The Coast Guard is dedicated to this task and ensures that navigational aids are accurately placed, maintained, and compliant with federal standards, supporting maritime safety and commerce.