Rep. Jimmy Patronis has secured commitment from the Coast Guard to replace broken navigation markers at Destin’s East Pass after he pressed the agency to address the safety concerns last month.
- Patronis announced Friday that Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Kevin Lunday agreed to replace the aids to navigation at markers three and four, which have been broken since at least 2021. The agency plans to award a contract for the replacement work this year.
“These ATONs are essential to the safety of our mariners, first responders, and the residents and visitors who rely on our waterways every day,” Patronis said in a statement. “I am grateful to the Commandant for recognizing the importance of this issue.”
The commitment comes roughly five weeks after Patronis sent a letter to the Coast Guard in early December urging immediate action. The freshman congressman cited accident data showing incidents near East Pass doubled from 2021 to 2024, with about 70% of all boating accidents in Okaloosa County occurring near the pass.
East Pass is the sole inlet connecting the Gulf to Destin Harbor. More than 1,500 vessels enter and exit the harbor on weekdays and more than 2,000 on weekends, according to Patronis.
Okaloosa County Commissioner Drew Palmer, who worked with Patronis on the issue, praised the decision.
- “These ATONs are an essential component of our visitors, servicemembers, and community,” Palmer said. “We also thank the leadership of the U.S. Coast Guard for their continued commitment to maritime safety.”
City sought help in October
The Coast Guard’s commitment caps months of local efforts to address navigation and safety concerns at the pass.
The Destin City Council unanimously approved sending letters to state and federal lawmakers in October requesting help securing Coast Guard action. The request followed years of concerns about improperly placed channel markers, insufficient lighting and inadequate maintenance.
“For a city that calls itself a world-class fishing community, our current entrance conditions are far below standard,” John Stephens, vice chairman of the Destin Harbor and Waterways Board, told the council at the time.
A large vessel collided with the East Jetty last fall despite interim Coast Guard measures. A 2016 accident at the pass resulted in two deaths.
The council had passed a motion in November 2024 prioritizing lighting improvements at the pass, but no progress had been reported as of October.
Patronis said he will continue monitoring the project and keep constituents informed of the replacement timeline.
