Aids To Navigation ‣ Aids to navigation provide: Important information about • where the safest water is • dangers • information • speed zones • position in relation to land
Visual Distress Signals ‣ Aids are often used together to help you follow natural and improved channels
‣ Provide a continuous system of charted markers for coastal cruising
Individual Aids ‣ Used to mark landfall from seaward ‣ Used to mark isolated dangers
Lateral Markers ‣ Floating buoys or cans ‣ Day markers ‣ Show the port and starboard sides of a safe route to be followed
Red Right Returning ‣ Red day markers and lighted beacons
mark the proper way to ‘return for sea’
‣ The 3 R’s rule of Red Right Returning ‣ When returning from sea keep the red makers on right or starboard side
‣ Inland waterways keep the Red marker
on right side when heading upstream or into a port or marina
Don’t Use As Only Method of Navigation ‣ Storms and wave action can move buoys out of place
Use in Combination With Chart ‣ Have a chart aboard ‣ Compare the position of
markers in relation to land and each other
‣ Will help you to determine what is upstream and downstream
Lateral Aids ‣ Show where the safest water is
Non Lighted Green Day Beacon ‣ Marking a Safe Channel ‣ On your left or port side when going up stream
5 G “7”
Lighted Green Day Beacon ‣ This marks a
5
safe channel ”5” Fl G 6s
Green Can ‣ A can floats in the water
3
‣ Could be used to mark a safe channel
‣ Used by itself to mark an isolated danger
G C “3”
Lighted Green Buoy 1
‣ Flashes green at night ‣ Marks isolated dangers ‣ Marks a landfall from sea
G ”1” Fl G 4s
Odd Numbers & Flat On Top ‣ All have odd number marking ‣ All flat on top and look like a soda ‘can’
‣ Helps identify from a
distance or in direct sun
Red Day Beacon ‣ Remember “Red Right Returning”
‣ Have even numbers and are pointed on the top
R “8”
8
Red Lighted Day Beacon ‣ Lighted red beacon ”6” Fl R 6s
6
Floating Nun (red can) ‣ Red version of floating can
4
R N “4”
Red Lighted Buoy 2
‣ Is not pointed on the top but exhibits a red light
R ”2” Fl R 4s
Regulatory Markers ‣ Often single markers alerting boaters to hazards
‣ White with an orange horizontal band at both top and bottom
‣ Black text within or around an
orange square, circle, or diamond
‣ If lit, the light will be white
Danger Marker ‣ Diamond Shape ‣ Hazard marked
inside and is marked on the chart
Restricted Operation ‣ Circle ‣ Indicate areas of
regulated operations
• No Wake Zones • Speed Restricted Areas
Exclusion Marker (no boats permitted) ‣ Diamond with a cross ‣ Exclusions are noted • Prohibiting Boat Operation • Identifying Swimming Areas
Information Marker ‣ Square ‣ Designed to provide helpful information
• Launch Ramp Location • Provisions • Gas Dock
Dive Flag / Alpha Flag ‣ Slow down ‣ Stay at least 100 feet away ‣ Diving operations, slow down and stay at least 300 feet away in open waters or bays
Aids to Navigation ‣ Use the aids to navigation in
conjunction with marine charts
‣ Together will provide a
complete picture of where it is safe to operate your boat