us aids to navigation
TRANSCRIPT
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U.S. Ais t Navigatin Systm
What You Need to Know About the Markers on the Water
A Hany Gui rm th Unit Stats Cast Guar
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Aids to Navigation can provide a boater with inormation similar to
that which drivers get rom street signs, stop signals, road barri-
ers, detours, and trac lights.
This booklet will give you, the recreational boater, the basic
inormation you need about the U.S. Aids to Navigation System(USATONS). This inormation will help you recognize, understand, and
navigate by the colors, shapes, numbers, and lights you will encounter on
the water. It will also give you the basic tools you need to read a nautical chart.
In addition, you will nd inormation on saety, the proper way to interact with other ves-
sels, tips on boating at night, and how to handle special situations you might encounter,
like bridges and locks.
Take some time to review this booklet, and keep it onboard your boat as a quick reer-
ence. Your understanding o the markers you see on the water will help ensure that you,
your amily, and your riends have un and sae boating trips.
Best Regards,
United States Coast Guard Boating Saety Division
STOP Read This Booklet. Stay Safe on the Water.
AIDS TO
NAVIGATION ARE
THE WATERWAYS
ROAD SIGNS
Most boating accidents are preventable! Be sure to:
Boaters call navigation rules the basic laws governing the steering or sailing o a boat
The Rules o the Road. The Rules o the Road dene the roles and responsibilities o
vessel operators. I all operators obeyed these rules, most accidents could be avoided.
One o the reasons the Rules o the Road exist is to keep boats
rom colliding with each other and with other objects. Sincecollisions are the number one type o accident on the water,
boaters should remember the ollowing Rules o the Road.
Pst a kut. Designate someone to watch or dangers
that may come rom any direction.
Maintain a sa sp. Except where speed is restricted
by regulation or the waterway is marked by a No Wake
or Slow Speed Aid, you must judge sae speed or
yoursel, taking into account visibility, vessel trac, your boats ability to
maneuver, and the weather conditions.
Avi a cisin.The Rules o the Road include the actions to take when encountering
another vessel on the water. Some o the most common situations you may encounter
are: overtaking, meeting head on, and crossing the bow o another vessel. In each
case, the boat designated as the give-way vessel is required to yield to the other
boat, while the boat designated as the stand-on vessel should maintain its course
and speed.
Th Rus vary sighty pning n whthr yu ar
bating n inan r n intrnatina watrs. As an
xamp, whn prating n inan watrs, sun signas
ar signas intent; whn prating n intrnatina
watrs, thy ar signas action.
Alwayswearyourlifejacketandrequirethe
sam yur passngrs
Neverboatundertheinuence
Takeaboatingsafetycourse
GetafreeVesselSafetyCheck
1. NAVIGATION RulES (RUleS of THe RoAd)INTRODucTION
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2 short blasts(1 sec.each)
1 short blast(1 sec.each)
2 short blasts(1 sec.each)
1 short blast(1 sec.each)
Stand-on VesselOvertaken
Give-way VesselOvertaking
(keep clear)
Overtaing Sitation (Navigation Re 13) Head-On Sitation (Navigation Re 14)
Prt-t-Prt Passing (prrr)
Actin(s):The give-way vessel (bottom) can pass on either side o the stand-on
vessel (top).
Sun signas, inan: Passing portside requires two short (1-second) blasts on the horn
signaling the overtaking boats intention, and two short blasts or the stand-on vessels
agreement. Passing to starboard requires one short blast or intent and agreement.
Sun signas, intrnatina: Passing portside requires two prolonged (4-6 seconds)
and two short blasts or the overtaking boats intention, two short blasts or the stand-on
vessels agreement. Passing to starboard requires two prolonged and one short blast or
intention. An agreement signal is only required when operating
in a narrow channel or airway; then the ollowing blast pattern
signals your agreement: one prolonged/one short/one
prolonged/one short.
hort blast (1 sec.) 1 short blast (1 sec.)
Actin(s):When meeting another vessel head on, a port-to-port passing is preerred.
Passing starboard-to-starboard is acceptable when necessar y.
Sun signas:Passing port-to-port requires one short horn blast to signal intention and
one short blast or agreement. Passing to starboard requires two short blasts rom each
vessel.
2 short blasts(1 sec. each)
2 short blasts(1 sec. each)
1 short blast(1 sec.)
1 short blast (1 sec.)
2 short blasts (1 sec. each) 2 short blasts (1 sec. each)
1 short blast (1 sec.)
1 short blast(1 sec.)
Stand-On VesselOvertaken
Give-Way VesselOvertaking
(keep clear)
Starbar-t-Starbar Passing
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crossing Sitation (Navigation Re 15)
Actin(s):In a crossing situation,
the give-way vessel must act to
avoid a collision. This may include
altering its course to pass astern
o the stand-on vessel or s lowing
down. The stand-on vessel should
maintain its course and speed.
Sun signas, inan:The give-way vessel signals the stand-on vessel with one short
horn blast. The stand-on vessel agrees with one short horn blast.
Sun signas, intrnatina:The give-way vessel signals the stand-on vessel with one
short horn blast. No agreement signal by the stand-on vessel is required.
Thr is much mr t th Navigatin Rus than can b cvr hr. fr mr
inrmatin, g t www.uscgbating.rg r www.navcn.uscg.gv.
When meeting another boat, make early and substantial changes to your course.
This helps the other operator understand your intentions.
The two main types o Aids to Navigation
are buoys and beacons.
Buoys are Aids that foat on top o the
water, but are moored to the bottom o the
body o water. Some have a light axed to
the top; some do not. A buoy with a cylin-
drical shape and a conical top is reerred to
as a nun. A buoy with a cylindrical shape
and a fat top is called a can.
Beacons are Aids that are permanently
xed, most commonly to the bottom o a
body o water. A beacon that has a light
attached is simply reerred to as a light;
a beacon without a light attached is called
a daybeacon.
Both buoys and beacons can provide
a variety o navigation inormation via
shape, color, light, and/or audible signal.
Dayboards are inormational signboards.
The term topmarkreers to a non-lighting
element, such as a sphere, that may be
axed to the top o an Aid.
2. THE ESSENTIAl MARkERS: On the Water and On the charts
R "2A"
G
C "5A"
FI R 4s
30ft 6M "4"
RG
N "CF"
R "4"
Q R
FI G 4s 15ft 5M "5"
Red lIGHTed BUoY
Red: always even numbers
Red lIGHT
GReeN CAN BUoY
Green: always odd numbers
GReeN lIGHT
Red/GReeN NUN BUoY
Red dAYBeACoN
Give-Way Vessel
should alter course to
pass astern (behind)1 short blast (1 sec.)
Stand-On Vessel
should maintain its
course and speed1 short blast (1 sec.)
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understanding the Symbos in This Booet
Buoys, beacons, and all other Aids have a corresponding symbol used on nautical
charts. In this booklet, you will see representations o Aids, each alongside its nautical
chart symbol:
Natia charts
It is critical to know where you are going, what routes
to take, and which areas to avoid beore you begin
your boating trip. Nautical charts are the boating
equivalent o road maps. A nautical chart provides
boaters with an aerial view o a waterway with its
Aids to Navigation, landmarks, and bridges, as well
as inormation on water depth, latitude and longi-
tude, and a variety o other important navigational
inormation.
Nautical chart
symbol
Nautical chart
abbreviation
Indication o lighted Aid*
Letter* (B)
Flash Period* (6 seconds)
Light color* (red)
Aid type
Aid color (red-green)
* Nt n a Ais
Aid color (red-green)
Light characteristic*(composite group
fashing)
RG B
FI (2+1) R 6s
Alwaysuseacurrentnavigationchartandbesuretocheckwww.navcen.uscg.govfor
any rvant Ntics t Marinrs br yur trip.
Whileelectronicchartsystems(ECS)canprovideboaterswithexcellentinformation,
kp rvant papr charts n bar. Shu yur eCS r GPS maunctin, yu wi
b vry ga t hav a backup.
Rememberthatmostaccidentsarecausedbyhumanerror.Donotletanelectronic
navigatin vic tak th pac knwing an ahring t th Navigatin Rus.
What Yo See Depends on Where Yo Boat
The Aids to Navigation system used on the majority o American waterways is reerred to
as the U.S. Aids to Navigation System or IALA-B. A description o USATONS ollows.
The Mississippi River and its tributaries ollow a variation o USATONS called the Western
Rivers Marking System. An explanation o this system begins on page 23.
The system used exclusively on the Intracoastal Waterway, which runs along the United
States coast rom New Jersey through Texas, is described beginning on page 25.
Another system, called the Uniorm State Waterway Marking System, has mostly been
phased out. However, these Aids are shown on page 26 as you may occasionally en-
counter them.
Thr ar as privat Ais t Navigatin, which ar Ais that ar nithr wn nr
maintain by th U.S. Cast Guar. Ths typicay k simiar t ths in th
systms scrib in this bkt an ar rprsnt by th sam nautica chart
symbs, with th aitin Priv, r Priv maint.
B
B
Retro-refectivepanel*
Light*
Letter
Aid
RG B
FI (2+1) R 6s
Lighted Buoy
Lighted Buoy
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latera Aids to Navigation
Lateral Aids to Navigation are generally used or well-dened channels to indicate the
route to be ollowed. These Aids show the sides o a navigable channel, mark junctions
and orks or splits in the channel, indicate the sae side to pass a hazard to navigation,
and mark the sae centerline on wide bodies o water.
They are used in conjunction with a conventional direction o buoyage (a local direction
o buoyage when approaching a harbor, river estuary, or other waterway rom seaward).
Red, Right, Returning
You may have heard the phrase, Red, Right, Returning. This expression reers to theact that when returning (entering a channel rom the open sea or proceeding upstream),
a boater must keep the red Aids on the right (starboard) side o the boat. These Aids
have even numbers, and the numbers should increase as you proceed inland.
When proceeding toward open water (seaward), navigate so that the green Aids are
to starboard. In this instance, you will see odd numbers on the Aids and the numbers
should decrease as you proceed toward open water (seaward).
I there is no route marked, navigate clockwise around landmasses.
1
Green colors and
lights should be
on your right
(starboard) side
when travelingtowardopen waters
(seaward)
12 1 2
open water
open waterchannel
channel
channel
channel
7
5
3
1
8
6
4
Green Aids: o Numbrs
Squaredayboards,buoys,and
cans
Proceeding Upstream
Open Water
(seaward)
Red Aids: evn Numbrs
R, Right, Rturning: whn
prcing upstram, kp th
r Ais t starbar
Daybeacon
G7
R8
Daybeacon
Can
GC 3
RN 4
Nun
Lighted Buoy
G 1FI G 4s
R 2FI R 4s
Lighted Buoy
Light
5FI G 6s
6FI R 6s
Light
Charactristics
Beaconsmayhavegreenoddnumbers.
Buoysmayhavewhiteoddnumbers.
Iflit,thelightwillbegreenandislikelytoashinone
o the ollowing patterns:
Flashing (2)
Flashing
Occulting
Quick Flashing
Isophase
Flashing (2)
Flashing
Occulting
Quick Flashing
Isophase
Charactristics
Beaconsmayhaveredevennumbers.
Buoysmayhavewhiteevennumbers.
Iflit,thelightwillberedandislikelytoashinoneof
the ollowing patterns:
(s pag 22 r mr n ights)
22
Red colors and
lights should be
on your right
(starboard) side
when travelingrm open waters
(shoreward)
3. u.S. AIDS TO NAVIGATION SYSTEM (IAlA-B)
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Daybeacon
Can Buoy
Daybeacon
Nun Buoy
GRU
RGG
GRC S
RGN C
GR AFI (2+1) G 6s
RG BFI (2+1) R 6s
Preerred-channe Aids
Beacons and buoys that have horizontal bands o both red and
green mark the junction o navigable channels. The top-most color
indicates the direction o the preerred, or primar y, channel.
When returning (entering a channel rom the open sea or proceed-
ing upstream), keeping the Aids with red as the top-most color on the right (starboard)
side o the boat will place the boater in the preerred channel, while keeping those
Aids on the port side will place the boater in the secondary channel. When proceeding
toward open water (seaward), keeping the Aids with green as the top-most color on the
right (starboard) side o the boat will place the boater in the preerred channel, while
keeping those Aids on the port side will place the boater in the secondary channel.
Charactristics
Greenontop.
Havealetterdesignation.
Buoyswillfeatureawhiteletter.
Iflit:
Charactristics
Redontop.
Havealetterdesignation.
Buoyswillfeatureawhiteletter.
Iflit:
Charactristics
Whitewithred,green,orblackdiamonds.
Usuallylettered(thelettercanbematchedtoanauticalcharttocheckposition).
Intheillustrationsabove,NR,NG,andNBindicatenon- lateralred,green,andblack.Thechart
symbol is to the lower right o each illustration (e.g., RW Bn indicates a red-and-white beacon).U
S
A
G
C
B
Lighted Buoy Lighted Buoy
COMPOSITE GROUPFLASHING (2+1)
COMPOSITE GROUPFLASHING (2+1)
(s pag 22 r mr n ights)
Non-latera Aids to Navigation
Non-lateral Aids are the on-the-water versions o the inormational, regulatory, and
warning signs encountered on the road.
diamn-Shap daybars
Diamond shaped dayboards are used to help determine location. They are the nautical
equivalent o You Are Here markers. An appropriate nautical chart must be consulted
to determine your exact position.
NRW N
Unlightedwith or w/osound
A
MR
RW A
G
Spherical
SP GN
Can
RW N
N
RW NMo (A)
RWBn
NR
GW ABn
NG
BW MBn
NB
A M
Charactristics
Whiteandredverticalstripes.
Avarietyofshapes.
Maybelettered.
Buoymayhaveredtopmark.
Iflit:(Mrs C A)
Preerredchanne
Sae Water Mars
These Aids are used to mark airways, mid-channels, and oshore approach points.
They have unobstructed water on all sides. A buoy, lighted or unlighted, may show a red
topmark. An appropriate nautical chart must be consulted to determine exact position.
Lightedwith or w/osound
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Isoated Danger Mars
These Aids indicate an isolated danger that may be passed on all sides. Use caution
when approaching.
A CBR A
FI (2) 5s
Lighted
BR C
Unlighted
Charactristics
Rectangularwithtwocolorsarrangedasthreevertical
stripes.
Maybelettered.
Whenlit,rearlightwillbehigherthenthefrontlight.
Lightcharacteristicsmayvary;usuallytherear(upper)
light remains lit (xed), while the ront (lower) light fashes.
Charactristics
Buoywithblackandredhorizontal
bands.
Maybelettered.
Blackdouble-spheretopmark. Iflit: fI (2) 5s
Range Dayboards
These Aids, which are usually shore-mounted, come in pairs to help the vessel operator
maintain a straight and sae course within a navigable channel. Each member o the
pair is separated rom the next in
distance and elevation, with the one
in ront shorter than the one behind it.
When the two appear to be vertically
stacked, the vessel is on the range
line.
Rear light
Front light
Side View
Front View
Let orange line
Right orange line
On rangeline
When the ront (bottom) marker isto the right o the rear (top) one,you are to the let o the range.
You should turn right (starboard)to get onto the range line.
When the ront (bottom) markeris to the let o the rear (top)one, you are to the right o therange. You should turn let(port) to get onto the range line.
The two range markersare in line, whichindicates you are onthe range line.
Frontmarker
Frontmarker
Frontmarker
Front marker Front marker Front marker
Rear markerRear markerRear marker
Rear marker Rear marker Rear marker
Th crs rang aybars nt impact navigatin crs ar simpy
chsn bas n hw w thy stan ut rm th backgrun scnry.
Sm cmbinatins:
KGW KWG KBW KWB KWR KRW KRB KBR KGB KBG KGR KRG
Iso R 1 QR
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Inormation and Regatory Mars
These orange-and-white Aids are used to alert vessel operators to various warnings and
regulations.
Inormation
Marks with a squareprovide helpulinormation such asdirections, distances,and locations
RestritedOperations
Marks with a circleindicate areas withregulated operations
Danger
A diamond shapealerts boaters tohazards
Exsion
A diamond shapewith a cross meansboats are prohibitedrom the area
Symbol
DANGER
GAS
DOCK
BOAT
RAMP
NO WAKE
IDLE SPEED
BOATSKEEP OUT
SWIM AREA
ROck
mph5
Meaning Examples
Charactristics
Whitewithanorangehorizontalbandatbothtopandbottom.
Blacktextwithinoraroundanorangesquare,circle,ordiamond;
or black text outside a diamond with an orange cross.
Maybebuoysorbeacons.
Iflit,thelightwillbewhiteandmayhaveanylightrhythmexcept
quick fashing, fashing (2), or Morse code A.
Thechartsymbolforthistypeofbuoyis:
Charactristics
All-yellow.
Comeinavarietyofshapes.
Mayhaveoneblackletter.
Iflit:
Charactristics
Whitewithbluehorizontalband.
Cylinderandsphereshapes.
Mayshowawhitereectorordisplaywhiteoryellowlight.
Charactristics
Black-and-whiteverticallystripedbuoy.
Mayshowawhitereectorordisplayaquick-ashingwhitelight.
Speia Aids
These Aids indicate special areas or eatures such as anchoring, trac separation,
shnet area, cables or pipelines, military exercise areas , and jetties.
Mooring Boys
While not a navigational Aid, mooring buoys are
worth mentioning. They are the only type o buoys
to which mooring is permitted. Most mooring
buoys are privately owned or are rental buoys.
Permission is usually needed to use them.
State Waters Obstrtion Mar
The State Water Obstruction Mark indicates to a
vessel operator that an obstruction to navigation
extends rom the nearest shore to the buoy. Do not
pass between the buoy and the shore.
AC
A
B
YC A
YN C
Y BFI Y
Y ABn
Unlighted
Lighted
or
W Or
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3
1
1
5
3
2
2
4
2
8
6
4
1
3
5
7
2
2
Visua
lBuoya
ge
Gu
ide
Examp
le
Nau
tia
lchart
Examp
le
Pre
ferre
dchanne
l
Seon
dary
channe
l
Intraoas
talWa
terway
1
fI(2)G6s
RG
fI(2+1)R6s
R2
fIR6s
R4
ocR6s
G3
fIG6s
G1
IsG4s
BR
C
fI(2)5s
G5
fI(2)G6
s
G7
fIG4s
R4
G5
R6
fI(2)R6s
R8
fIR4s
RW
M(A)
2
IsR6s
IsR6s
QR
1
IsG4s
2
fIR4s
RN2
G
3
R2
RWBn
GC3
(fctitious;samecircumstancesasabove)
(fctitious)
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U.S. Ais t Navigatin Systm
Boating at night can make even amiliar waters unrecognizable. Visual depth perception
is lessened and lights rom the shore can be dicult to distinguish rom those on the
water. To make nighttime boating saer, keep the ollowing in mind.
Navigation lights
Vessels are required to show navigation lights rom sunset to sunrise and during periods
o restricted visibility. Understanding these light displays will provide invaluable inorma-
tion to the boater, as these lights can help the boater determine the length o another
vessel, its orientation in relation to
your boat, and the general direction in
which it is headed. All operators must
ensure that their vesse ls navigation
lights are working and that the posi-
tioning and distance rom which they
can be seen meet ederal regulations.
It is important to know which naviga-
tion lights you will see rom another
boat in certain situations. This can help you determine i you are in an overtaking, meet-
ing, or crossing situation. The ollowing chart illustrates the navigation lights you will see
rom various angles:
Whnvr yu s a r navigatin ight rm anthr vss, giv way. I t is th stan-
n vss. Accring t th Rus th Ra, it has th right way (s pag 2).
I yu s bth th r an grn siights anthr bat, it is cming straight
twar yu. Yu shu tak actin t chang curs in rr t avi a cisin.
Starbar Bw Strn Prt Si
keep in Mind
Itisriskytorelyonmemoryortotakeshortcutsatnight.Sticktothemainchannel.
Your best bet is to navigate by the appropriate chart and identiy the corresponding
Aids to Navigation.
Makesureyouarefamiliarwiththehandlingcharacteristicsofyourboatsoyoucan
concentrate on interpreting the Aids to Navigation.
Slowdown.Distancesaremoredifculttojudgeatnightandyouwillneedmore
time to distinguish the various types o lights you will see: navigation lights, lights
rom Aids, and lights on shore.
Listen.Youmighthearcertainsoundsbeforeyouseetherelatedobjectsorsitu-
ations that require you to change course, such as another boats engine or soundsignals, an Aids bell or gong, or noises rom shore. (Note that sound travels ar over
water.)
Turnonyournavigationlightsfromsunsettosunriseandduringdaytimeperiodsof
reduced visibility, such as rain and og.
Turnoffanylightsthatmightinterferewith,orbeconfusedwith,navigationlights.
Tmprary imag
4. BOATING AT NIGHT
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Nighttime
Buoya
ge
Gu
ide
Examp
le
=
(fctitious;samecircumstancesaspages17-18)
The various combinations o these characteristics enable boaters to tell one Aid rom
another in darkness. The ollowing shows how common light display characteristics are
illustrated and how they operate:
chart
Abbreviation Type/Desription
F Fixed
Shines continuously and steadily; no dark phase.
F Fashing
The light goes on at regular intervals; the duration
o the light phases are less than the duration o
the dark phases.
F (2) Grop Fashing
Groups o two fashes that are repeated several
times a minute.
F (2+1) composite Grop Fashing
A group o two fashes ollowed by a single fash,
the entirety repeated several times a minute.
Iso Isophase
All durations o light and dark are equal.
Mo (A) Morse code
Short (dots) and long (dashes) fashes o light
are used to represent Morse code; usually fashes
the letter A.
O Oting
The light goes on at regular intervals; the duration
o the light phases is greater than the duration o
the dark phases.
Q Qi (Fashing)
Very rapid fashing (more than 60 fashes a minute).
Istration
Aids to Navigation at Night
At night, Aids to Navigation can only be identied by their light characteristics:
Color(red,green,white,oryellow).
Lightdisplay(sequenceofashes).
Period(timeittakestogothroughonesequenceofashes).
Equippedwithretroreectivematerial.
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U.S. Ais t Navigatin Systm
Crossing daybeacons are used to assist river trac by indicating where the chan-
nel has changed rom one side o the river to the other; the aid that marks this
channel change will be on the opposite side o the river. When encountered, a
vessel operator should head or the Aid, using its color as a channel mark.
Isolateddangermarksandsafe-watermarksarenotused.
Riverbanksarenamedbasedontheirdownstreamdirec-
tion: either let bank and right bank or let descending
bank and right descending bank.
Becauseoftheirsomewhattemporarynature,WesternRiver
buoys do not have numbers or letters and are not always
marked on river charts because they tend to drit due tofuctuating water level, current speed, and shiting shoals.
Charactristics
I lit, the light will be green
and will fash as:
Flashing
FI (2+1) G
Charactristics
I lit, the light will be red
and will fash as:
Flashing
FI (2+1) R
upstream
Downstream
Lighted buoy Lighted buoy
Can Nun
Daybeacon Daybeacon
Prrr-Chann Ais
Western Rivers Maring System
When on the Mississippi River, tributaries above Baton Rouge, and several other rivers
that fow toward the Gul o Mexico, boaters must ollow a system called the Western
Rivers Marking System, a variation o the U.S. Aids to Navigation System.
upstream (proeeding inand)
Port Side/
Right Desending Ban
Starboard Side/
let Desending Ban
Downstream (proeeding to G o Mexio)
Charactristics
I lit, the light will be green or
white and may fash as:
Flashing
Isophase
Charactristics
I lit, the light will be red or
white and may fash as:
Flashing (2)
Isophase
In the Western Rivers Marking System:
Buoys are not numbered.
Beaconsarenotnumbered,butnormallyhaveamilemarkerthatindicatesthe
distance in statute miles rom a xed point, typically the rivers mouth.
Prt an Starbar Ais
5. AIDS TO NAVIGATION SYSTEMS
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4
uniorm State Waterway Maring System
The Uniorm State Waterway Marking System (USWMS) was discontinued and replaced
by the U.S. Aids to Navigation System (USATONS) in 2003. Should you come across
one that has not yet been replaced, a guide is provided below:
3
34
Acts as the greencan buoy inUSATONS
Acts as the rednun buoy inUSATONS
South or West North or East
latra Systm USWMS
Carina Systm USWMS
Cardinal buoys serve as the USWMS version o USATONS preerred-channel markers,
as they indicate the primary route. They are named cardinal buoys ater the cardinal
points (north, south, east, and west) o the compass:
7
The USMWS systems red-and-white vertically stripedbuoy means obstruction.
In USATONS, a red-and-white vertically striped buoy
means sae water.
larger
Body o Water
Smaer
Body o Water
Intraoasta Waterway
The Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) runs just inland and parallel to the Atlantic and Gul
coasts rom Manasquan, New Jersey to the Mexican border. The Aids to Navigation o
the ICW closely resemble the green and red buoys and beacons o the lateral system
previously discussed.
When operating in the ICW, the color o the Aids will typically correspond to the
USATONS scheme (Red, Right, Returning). The yellow squares, triangles, and bands
attached to the Aids are the primary ICW indicators. Boaters need to understand these
markings to saely navigate the ICW. Some examples:
7
3
1 1
8
4
2 2
3
2
There are three types o symbols:
When ollowing the ICW rom New Jersey through Texas, keep yellow triangles on
your starboard and yellow squares on your port, regardless o the color o the Aid on
which they appear.
The yellow horizontal band refector can be ound
on any non-lateral Aid. It simply identies the Aid as
marking the ICW.
ICW bacns an buys nt crrspn t IAlA-Bs cr systm bcaus ICW an
nn-ICW ruts may trav nxt t ach thr in ppsing irctins an shar th
sam Ais. Thus, whn wing th ICW, navigat by th yw symbs; thrwis,
navigat by th cr th Ai its.
Arrows do not indicatethe actual location othe ICW. Arrows depicthow aids to navigationare oriented whenoperating in the ICW.
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Caranc Gaugs
I it is not obvious whether or not there is enough vertical room to travel under a certain
bridge, boaters should reer to its clearance gauge (axed to the bridges right side
upon approach). This marks the distance between the low steel o the bridge channel
span and the water line, not the depth o the water under the bridge.
WATERLINE
LOW STEELCLEARANCE (eet)
CLEARANCEGAUGE
drawbrig-opning Prtc
When passage under an open drawbridge is required, the boater
must make a request o the drawbridge operator. The bridge
tender will acknowledge the signal. The most common protocols are:
VHF-FM
Boatersmayhailthedrawbridgeoperatoronchannels13or16.
(Channel 9 should be used in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.)
Alwaysusethelow-poweroutput(1watt)setting.
Sound Signals
Approaching a Closed Draw Anopeningsignalconsistsofoneprolongedblast(4to6seconds)andoneshort
blast (1 second); this can be rom a whistle, horn, megaphone, or hailer.
Theoperatorwillreplywiththeprolonged-then-shortblastifthedrawwillbe
opened immediately.
Fiveshortblastsinrapidsuccessionmeanthattheoperatorcannotcomplyatthat
moment.
Approaching an Open Draw
Ifthedrawisalreadyopen,anopeningsignal(prolongedblastplusshortblast)
must be made.
Ifnoreplyisreceivedwithin30seconds,youmayproceedwithcaution.
Fiveshortblastsinrapidsuccessionmeanthattheoperatormustclosethedraw;
do not proceed.
upstream
Bridges
lighting Systms
Bridges are lit to help boaters navigate under them rom sunset to sunrise and during
other periods o reduced visibility. In general, red lights indicate portions o the bridge
where it is unsae to attempt passage, and green lights indicate areas o sae passage.
See key below.
A
AA
A
E
AB
E
G
G
E
D(Main Channel)
Fixed Bridge
Double Lea (Lit) Bascule Bridge Vertical Lea Span Bridge(open)
Double Opening Swing Bridge(open)
Vertical Lit Span Bridge(closed)
closed
open
closed
open
Double-Opening Swing Bridge(closed)
A
AAA
A
E
A A A
FF
F
A
A Piers and supports.
B Centerline o navigable channel.
C Three white lights stacked vertically show the preerred route, i
there is more than one navigable channel.
D Used on some lit bridges to indicate the lit is closed.
E Lit is open to vessel trac.
F Double-opening swing bridges show three red lights when closed.
G Double-opening swing bridges show two green lights when open.
6. SPEcIAl SITuATIONS
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Waitforthelockoperatortosignalyouwithhornblasts;additionalsignalsmay
include trac lights or fashing lights.
Enterthelockatreducedspeed.
Makesureallpassengersremainseatedandweartheirlifejackets.
Tieyourcrafttothemooringdevicesafterentering;aminimumof50feetof
line is recommended.
Usefenderstoavoiddamagetoyourvesselandtolockwalls.
Whenthrough,waitforthelockoperatorssignal(hornand/orlights),thenleave
the lock at idle speed.
There is a specic order o lockage priority among vessels. Military and most commercialvessels have priority over recreational vessels.
low-Head Dams
Low-head dams have been built to
raise the level o rivers or streams or
various reasons. They can be extremely
dangerous to small boats and swim-
mers; so much so, they have been
nicknamed drowning machines.
Small boats may easily become caught
within the circular motion (hydraulic) o
the dams ast-moving water. The boat
and its passengers may be unable to escape. Low-head dams are particularly dicult
to spot on the upstream side; and rom any vantage point, they can look harmless.Remember that no matter how short a drop the dam may have, it can still be deadly.
Alwaysportagearoundlow-headdams,regardlessofdirectionofapproach.
exit th watr w br th am an rturn w atr.
Notalllow-headdamsaremarkedbysignageoradangerbuoy.Therefore,
amiiariz yurs with any stram r rivr br traving n it.
Whentravelingdownstream,watchforasmoothhorizonline.Thisisasubtlebut
tta sign that yu ar appraching a w-ha am. Th scnry byn it
might hav th iusin bing cut r shrtn.
controed-Aess Areas
In order to ensure public saety and national security, the Coast Guard periodically estab-
lishes controlled-access areas that have special operational or navigational requirements.
Saety Zones, Security Zones, and Regulated Navigation Areas might require reduced
speed within a cer tain radius o a salvage operation, or example, or restrict access
altogether near a high-prole event or a power plant. These areas should be avoided or
approached with caution.
To make sure you know where the controlled-access areas are and the spec ic pa-
rameters o each always have the most current nautical chart and the latest Notices
to Mariners beore you head out (www.navcen.uscg.gov). Contact the local Coast Guard
oce or other law enorcement agency or specic details about such areas.
As a general rule, however, it is wise to avoid dams, power plants, and commercial port op-
eration areas, especially those that involve the military, cruise lines, or petroleum acilities.
NavalVesselProtectionZones
A Naval Vessel Protection Zone is a per-
manent controlled-access area that
surrounds every U.S. naval vessel. The
parameters are clear: do not come
closer than 100 yards o a vessel,
and operate at minimum speed
within 500 yards o the vessel. Vio-
lating a Naval Vessel Protection Zone
is a elony oense with the possibility o a
prison sentence and/or nes o up to $250,000.
los
A lock is an engineered structure that enables vessels to move between waterways o
diering heights. As when traveling under drawbridges, there are specic procedures in
place or navigating through locks. Specics may vary in certain regions, but in general:
Staybetweentheredandgreenbuoysthatmarktheriversnavigablechannel.
Requestanopeningwithasoundsignalconsistingofoneprolongedblast(4to6
seconds) and one short blast (1 second) within one mile o the lock; this can be
made by using the locks pull-cord or your whistle, horn, megaphone, or hailer.
Bawash
Boi
Esape Rotelow-head Dam
OPERATE AT MINIMuM SPEED
kEEP OuTkEEP OuT
100YARD
S
500YA
RDS
I yu yu must ntr a cntr-accss ara t nsur sa navigatin,
immediatelycontacttheCoastGuardonVHF-FMChannel16.
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7. AlWAYS WEAR YOuR lIFE JAckET!
(andrequirethesameofyourpassengers)
The number one cause o on-the-water atalities is drowning. The number one way to
prevent drowning is to wear a lie jacket.
The U.S. Coast Guard requires recreational vessels to have a wearable lie jacket or
each person on board.
All lie jackets must be:
U.S.CoastGuard-approved.
Thepropersizefortheintendedwearer.
Ingoodandserviceablecondition.
Properlystowed(readilyaccessible).
chidren Mst Wear lie Jaets
Federal regulations require that on a
recreational vessel underway, children
under 13 must wear an appropriate
U. S. Coast Guard-approved lie jacket,
unless they are below decks or in
an enclosed cabin. Within a states
waters, i that state has established a
child liejacket wear requirement, that
states requirement applies.
The Coast Guard recommends allpassengers wear a lie jacket at all times when thevessel is underway.
Tips or a Proper Fit Try It On
Usethemanufacturerslabelasaguidetochoosingtheproperlifejacketforyour
size and weight. It should have a comortably snug t.
Withallstraps,zippers,andtiessecurelyfastened,raiseyourarmsoveryourhead.
The jacket should stay in place and not ride up.
Withyourarmsatyoursides,havesomeoneliftyourlifejacketstraightupatthe
shoulders. I the jacket comes up more than a ew inches, it is too loose.
Itisbesttotryonalifejacketbeforeaboattrip.
Lifejacketsdesignedforadultswillnotworkforchildren!
Amerias Waterway Wath
The U.S. Coast Guard is asking boaters to help keep Americas waterways sae and
secure.
The Coast Guard has developed a program called Americas Waterway Watch
(www.americaswaterwaywatch.org). It asks boaters to call 877-24WATCH i they notice
suspicious activity or behavior on or near the water.
Things to report include:
Someonetakingpictures,video,or
making sketches o acilities like
bridges, tunnels, erry transpor t
systems, uel docks, or power plants.
Someoneaskingaseriesofques-
tions about access to one o these
acilities.
Someoneanchoring,shing,or
diving in an area not typically used
or that activity.
Unattendedvesselsinunusual
locations.
Unusualtransferofpersonnel
or cargo while underway.
Seeingaholeinasecurityfencearoundanindustrialfacility.
Do nottake matters into your own hands. Call 877-24WATCH. In cases o immediatedanger to lie or property, call the Coast Guard on Channel 16 VHF-FM, or dial 911 or
emergencies.
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key to the u.S. Aids to Navigation System (IAlA-B)
How to Report Aids to Navigation Disrepanies to the coast Gard
Please report discrepancies or outages to any Aid to Navigation (GPS, DGPS, buoys,
lights, dayboards, etc.) to the nearest U.S. Coast Guard station. You can do this 24
hours a day, 7 days a week via radio, telephone, ax, visiting www.navcen.uscg.gov, or by
e-mailing [email protected]. To reach the U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center by
telephone, call (703) 313-5900.
Reporting can help prevent accidents caused by such deects; you will be helping other
boaters stay sae.
A Aids to Navigation are Proteted By law
It is a criminal oense to cause any damage or hindrance to the proper operation o any
Aid. Do not alter, deace, move, or destroy any Aid to Navigation. Never tie a vessel to
a buoy, daybeacon, or light structure. Avoid anchoring so close to an Aid that the Aid is
obstructed (hidden) rom sight o another vessel. Report all intentional or unintentional
collisions with navigation Aids to the U.S. Coast Guard.
B Black
Bn Beacon
xamps:
c Can Buoy
xamps:
F Fixed
F Flashing
F (2) Group Flashing
F (2+1) Composite Group-Flashing
G Green
Iso Isophase
J Junction (S or T Dayboard)
xamps:
M Sae Water (Octagonal)
xamp:
Mo (A) Morse Code letter A
N Nun Buoy
xamps:
O Occulting
Or Orange
Pri Private
Q Quick (Flashing)R Red
S Square Dayboard
xamps:
s seconds
T Triangle Dayboard
xamps:
W White
Y Yellow
Srprisingy comortabe
Todays lie jackets are lightweight, easy to move in, and come in many sizes, styles,
andshapesforeverypersonandeverysport.(Thereareevenonesforpets!)Some
examples:
Infatabe
or general recreational
boating
Bet Pa Infatabe
or general recreational
boating
Vest-Type Fotation Aid
or personal watercrat,
waterskiing, and water
sports
chid Hybrid Infatabe
or general recreational
boating
chid lie Jaet
or general recreational
boating
Fotation Aid
or general recreational
boating
Vest Type
or general
recreational boating
Infatabe Fishing Vest
or angling and
hunting
Padding Jaet
or paddlesports
Oshore Vest
or oshore boating
and racing
Position o ight
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Most boating accidents are preventable! Be sure to:
Alwayswearyourlifejacketand
requirethesameofyourpassengers
Neverboatundertheinuence
Takeaboatingsafetycourse
GetafreeVesselSafetyCheck
www.sgboating.org
06/2011
fr mr inrmatin pas cntact: