- July 27, 2026
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As John Wagman guides his dual-console cruiser out of his canal through Cranes Bayou and Buttonwood Harbour, his goldendoodle Huk stands at the bow like an oversized hood ornament, and green and orange signs guide his way.
The numbered and color-coded navigation markers aren’t put there by the United States Coast Guard, the county, the town or the West Coast Inland Navigation District, but by a group of boaters who live on Longboat Key.
The Buttonwood Harbor Channel System is an organization that goes back decades with the goal of marking a safe path for boaters to and from the Coast-Guard-marked Intercoastal Waterway. When a boat strays outside of the navigational markers, the depth changes from 4-7 feet to 1 foot or lower. That’s a hazard for many boaters.
“Running aground isn’t just getting yourself pulled off. It’s damage to the engine, potential damage to the hull. If you hit abruptly, people on the boat can get injured,” Wagman said.
The group has been registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and is again raising money to repair and replace the markers.
Wagman, who took over as president of BHCS this year, said there are 42 markers placed and maintained by BHCS.
Many of the metal signs that were fixed to the telephone pole-like pilings were made in a garage decades ago. Reflective tape was placed in 90-degree angles to denote numbers of the navigation aids.
The supplies and cost for installation were funded by various HOAs across Longboat Key. Each organization donated $100 per year to BHCS. The organization’s account grew to about $27,000.
Since the markers were in good shape and the bank account healthy, the decision was made to stop collecting from HOAs.
But now, decades after they were installed, the system is starting to show its age. Markers like number 27 are narrow at the base. Others only have a metal sign on one side, and the dual 2024 hurricanes also did damage.
“When we stopped collecting, it made it hard to start up again,” Wagman said. “It’s almost like we’re starting from the beginning.”
Wagman estimates seven markers on the south side need to be replaced sooner rather than later, and the organization eventually hopes to replace all the navigation aids with thicker poles, a plastic base to prevent deterioration and professionally manufactured metal signs.
“We’re putting in markers that are 10 inches wide, 30 feet long going into the bottom about eight to 10 feet. The signs are thicker metal,” Wagman said. “It’s bigger, it’s buffed up a little bit. That’s what we’re transitioning to, and they should last 30 years, maybe even longer.”
BHCS is asking for donations of $500 for a replacement sign, $1,000 for two replacement signs or $2,500 for a full navigation marker with signs on both sides and piling installed.
Wagman has help from other Longboat residents. Former president and Dock on the Bay representative Dave McNicol remains on the board to provide insight in a less-involved manner and Buttonwood Harbour Association President Matt Pifer has supported the effort. Longboat Harbour Yacht Club Commodore Jeff Hecklau has spread the gospel of the organization by distributing fliers and answering questions from HOAs to hopefully resume those HOA annual payments.
He said the navigation channel aids hundreds of boaters. Longboat Harbour has 57 boat slips alone.
“We leave this channel here and when we make a left turn to head out, we use that channel and it’s the common path for all those back channels,” Hecklau said. “It’s really about safety. When you’re headed in at dark and you’re using the spotlight to find markers, the new markers reflect perfectly. It’s a safety thing, not just aesthetics.”
Those who would like more information or are interested in donating can contact Wagman by email at [email protected].
