What is the importance of aids to navigation?

04 Nov.,2024

 

Aids to Navigation

Aids to Navigation

Navigation Aid Basics

Unlike the roads and highways that we drive on, the waterways we go boating on do not have road signs that tell us our location, the route or distance to a destination, or of hazards along the way. Instead, the waterways have AIDS TO NAVIGATION (or ATONs), which are all of those man-made objects used by mariners to determine position or a safe course.

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These aids also assist mariners in making a safe landfall, mark isolated dangers, enable pilots to follow channels, and provide a continuous chain of charted marks for precise piloting in coastal waters. The U.S. Aids to Navigation System is intended for use with nautical charts, which provide valuable information regarding water depths, hazards, and other features that you will not find in an atlas or road map.

The term "aids to navigation" includes buoys, day beacons, lights, lightships, radio beacons, fog signals, marks and other devices used to provide "street" signs on the water. Aids To Navigation include all the visible, audible and electronic symbols that are established by government and private authorities for piloting purposes.

The Coast Guard is the agency responsible for maintaining aids to navigation on U.S. waters that are under federal jurisdiction or that serve the needs of the U.S. armed forces. On bodies of water wholly within the boundaries of a single state, and not navigable to the sea, the Coast Guard grants the state responsibility for establishing and maintaining aids to navigation. The U.S. Corps of Engineers is responsible for many of the canals, dams, locks, and other man-made waterways in the country. The Corps also is responsible for the regulation of mooring buoys in all navigable U.S. Waters.

The individual Coast Guard districts also may grant permission to private groups and citizens to place "Private" Aids to Navigation. These aids allow individuals or organizations the ability to mark privately maintained channels, zones or waterways. These aids must be pre-approved, and must be maintained by the individual or organization.

Types of Aids to Navigation

The term "aids to navigation" encompasses a wide range of floating and fixed objects (fixed meaning attached to the bottom or shore), and consist primarily of:

  • Buoys - floating objects that are anchored to the bottom. Their distinctive shapes and colors indicate their purpose and how to navigate around them.
  • Beacons - structures that are permanently fixed to the sea-bed or land. They range from structures such as light houses, to single-pile poles. Most beacons have lateral or non-lateral aids attached to them. Lighted beacons are called "LIGHTS", unlighted beacons are "DAYBEACONS".

Both Buoys and Beacons may have lights attached, and may have a sound making device such as a gong, bell or horn. Both Buoys and Beacons may be called "marks".

Caution: Do not count on floating aids to always maintain their precise charted positions, or unerringly display their characteristics. The Coast Guard works constantly to keep aids on station and functioning properly, but obstacles to perfect performance are so great that complete reliability is impossible. Only use floating aids for use as a navigation fix when you cannot see a fixed point of reference.

Aids to Navigation Systems

Depending on where you boat in America, you may see several differences in how navigational marks are colored, numbered, or lighted. Regardless of the location, buoys and beacons are placed in very specific locations, to mark either a particular side of a waterway, or some other navigational feature. The primary system in use is referred to the "U.S. Aids to Navigation System". The U. S. Coast Guard maintains this system in conformance to the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA), which is an international committee which seeks to ensure safe navigation, primarily through the use of common navigation aids and signals.

The "LATERAL" system is the familiar RED RIGHT RETURNING system, meaning that on all navigable waters returning from sea, the red even-numbered marks are on the starboard (right) side of the channel and the green odd-numbered marks are on the port (left) side of the channel. Numbers on the marks ascend when traveling from sea to harbor--if you don't have a compass and become disoriented on the water, you will always know you are heading upstream if the buoy numbers get larger as you travel.

Port Side Odd Numbered Aids

Port side numbered aids are green in color, odd numbered and may be lighted. Port side marks are located on the left side of the waterway as you travel upstream, and the buoy numbers will increase as you head upstream. (Chart depictions are shown next to the marks) Port-Side Buoys have a cylindrical above-water appearance, like a can or drum floating on its axis. Commonly referred to as "CAN" buoys. Beacons - Port side beacons have square marks attached to them, with two shades of color and a reflective border.

Starboard Side Even Numbered Aids

Starboard aids are red in color, evenly numbered and will be on your right side as you travel upstream. Buoy numbers increase as you head upstream, and may have a red light. Starboard-side buoys have an above-water appearance like that of a cylinder topped with a cone, pointed end up. The cone may come to a point or be slightly rounded. Commonly referred to as "NUN" buoys. Starboard-side Beacons have triangular marks attached to them, with two shades of color and a reflective border.

Intracoastal Waterway

For the sea buoys that delineate channels off the coast of the United States, and for the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), red is on the right (shore side) when proceeding clockwise around the U. S. from the East Coast to the Gulf Coast, or proceeding north along the West Coast.

ICW marks are further identified by a small yellow reflector at the bottom of the mark. The same port and starboard marks shown above will look like the following.

Numbers on the marks ascend when traveling in this direction. Where the IALA-B and ICW marks meet, one must be very careful to observe the change in meaning by referral to local charts.

Other Aids - Marks

Dayboards

These diamond shaped marks are used to help the vessel operator determine location on a nautical map. When you see a dayboard, and find the corresponding mark on the chart, you know your precise location. They may be lettered, and may be lighted with a white light. Their color reflects that of nearby lateral marks.

Safe Water Marks

These marks are used to mark fairways, mid-channels, and offshore approach points. They have unobstructed water on all sides. These marks may be lettered, and may be lighted with a white light. They may also have a red top mark.

Isolated Danger Marks

These indicate a danger which may be passed on all sides. They are erected on, or moored on or near danger. They should not be approached closely without special caution. They may be lighted, and they may be lettered.

Special Marks

Special marks have no lateral significance (meaning they don't tell you which side of the channel or river you may be on). These marks are used to mark a special feature or area. These include area limits for anchorages, fishing grounds, or dredging/spoil areas. These buoys may be lighted, and if they are it will be a fixed or flashing yellow light. Shape is optional, but usually follows the shape of the navigation buoys that it is positioned near.

Other Aids - Miscellaneous

Mooring Bouys

Mooring buoys come in two different shapes; spherical and cylindrical. Both have white bodies with a solid blue horizontal band on the center of the buoy. Mooring buoys may have a white reflector, or a white light attached to them. Mooring buoys are the ONLY buoys to which you may legally tie your boat. Buoys are generally placed in marked anchorage areas, and you must take caution if you are traveling near buoy areas. Check your state boating guide for particular operating restrictions in anchorage areas.

Ranges

These are pairs of unlighted or lighted fixed aids that when observed in line show the pilot to be on the centerline of a channel.

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Regulatory Marks

Regulatory Marks re designed to assist boaters by informing them of special restrictions or dangers that they are approaching. Regulatory marks are white "can" buoys that have an orange shape on them. The mark will give either a warning or instructions on how to proceed. The shape determines what type of mark it is.

  • An open diamond shape signifies danger.
  • A diamond with a cross in it signifies an exclusion area that you may not enter.
  • A circle indicates an upcoming operating restriction, such as a speed limit.
  • A square or rectangular shape is used for conveying instructions.

Uniform State Waterway Marking System

This system was originally intended for use by states on lakes and inland waterways that weren&#;t covered by nautical charts. The buoys used in the Uniform State Waterway Marking System (USWMS) used colors, shapes and marking patterns that differed greatly from the U.S. Aids to Navigation System (ATONS).

In , the U.S. Coast Guard decided to phase out the USWMS to avoid potential confusion of boaters and instead, favored using the more widely recognized ATONS. By , the USWMS was completely phased out. Below are a few of the differences from the federal system you should know about.

Here's a summary of the important changes regarding the phase out of USWMS:

  • The old USWMS black port side channel markers are now GREEN can buoys.
  • The old USWMS red starboard side channel markers are now red NUN buoys.
  • The old USWMS red and white vertically striped buoys have been replaced by one of the following: a red or green channel marker directing safe passage, an orange and white regulatory marker, or a red and black isolated danger marker.
  • The old USWMS white buoys topped with black or red bands, have been replaced by one of the following: a red or green channel marker directing safe passage, an orange and white regulatory marker, or a red and black isolated danger marker.

Lateral Aids

The state system differs in several ways, in case you happen to encounter them. These aids also assist mariners in making a safe landfall, mark isolated dangers, enable pilots to follow channels, and provide a continuous chain of charted marks for precise piloting in coastal waters. The U.S. Aids to Navigation System is intended for use with nautical charts, which provide valuable information regarding water depths, hazards, and other features that you will not find in an atlas or road map.

  • Buoys are placed in pairs, and you pass between them.
  • State buoys do use the color red for starboard side marks, but they are cans, and not nuns, while port buoys are black and can-shaped.
  • Numbers on buoys go up as you head upstream, or towards the head of navigation.
  • Portside buoys use the color black instead of green.
  • Portside buoys are numbered with odd numbers.
  • Portside buoys may show a green reflector or light.
  • Starboard side buoys are red.
  • Starboard side buoys are numbered with even numbers.
  • Starboard side buoys may show a red reflector or light.

Other State Aids

Red-topped White Buoys

  • Signify that you may pass south or west of buoy
  • May be numbered
  • May show a white reflector or light

Black-striped white Buoys - Inland Waters Obstruction Mark

  • Signify that you should not pass between mark and nearest shore
  • May be lettered
  • May show white reflector or light
  • Replaces the old red and white vertically striped buoy

Black-topped White Buoys

  • Signify that you may pass east or north of buoy
  • May be nubered
  • May show white reflector or light

Navigational Aids & Their Importance - On the Lake

In , more than 700 lives were lost as a result of recreational boating accidents in the U.S. and its territories. That number improved slightly in , but it&#;s still way too high! Most of these fatalities happen during the peak boating months of June, July and August. And for many of them, alcohol, and not being able to read the &#;road signs&#; or navigational aids, were contributing factors.

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There are those who have spent a great deal of time on the water and have paid little or no attention to the markers that have been placed by the United States Coast Guard. The purpose of these markers is to help boaters have a safer and more enjoyable time on the water. But if you don&#;t know what they mean, a day of fun could turn ugly in a hurry.

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Categories of Marks

Know that there are two general categories of marks &#; aids to navigation &#; that you will encounter while boating. They are 1) lateral marks and 2) non-lateral marks. Lateral marks identify the port and starboard sides of a route. Non-lateral marks have no lateral significance; they mainly supply information and regulation.

Types of Marks

There are two general types of marks. They are 1) buoys and 2) beacons. Buoys are floating objects anchored at specific locations and appear on charts as diamonds with small circles to indicate approximate position. Beacons are marks that are permanently attached to the earth&#;s surface. They can be as large as a lighthouse or as small as a post or piling and are usually found in shallow water or on shore. Do not pass close to beacons &#; you may collide with the very obstruction that they mark!

Red &#; Right &#; Returning

This is known as the 3R rule of the U.S. Aids to Navigation System. Of course, it pre-assumes that you have a pretty good idea of which way you are going in the first place. Simply stated, it says: &#;When Returning from sea, keep Red side-of-channel marks to your Right.&#; Returning means either entering a harbor or bay from the open ocean, traveling up a river from the sea, or traveling in a clockwise direction around a land mass. Conical-shaped Nun Buoys and triangular-shaped Day Marks (a type of beacon) indicate the starboard side of the channel when coming in from the sea. Cylindrical-shaped Can Buoys and Square-shaped Day Marks show the port side of the channel when coming in from the sea.

Non-Lateral Marks/Aids

The Non-Lateral System of marks &#; mentioned earlier &#; is very important to all boaters because it supplies information that may save your boat and even your life.

  • Isolated Danger Marks are placed on, above or near a danger that has navigable water all around it. Their shape is called a skeleton tower and the colors are Black and Red horizontal bands with Black at the top.
  • Safe Water Marks indicate safe water on both sides and identify the centers of navigable channels. Their shape is spherical if unlighted and the colors are Vertical Stripes of Red and White.
  • Special Marks call attention to a special feature of an area. The shape is conical (nun) or cylindrical (can) and the color is yellow.
  • Information and Regulatory Marks indicate areas of danger and exclusion areas where boats are not allowed.
    • Regulatory Marks are white with orange bands
    • Orange Diamonds are Dangerous Area Marks with the word &#;danger&#; in black letters within the diamond
    • Orange Diamonds with a cross through them are Exclusion Area Marks.
    • Orange Circles are Controlled Area Marks with black lettering indicating things such as &#;No Wake&#; &#;No Anchoring&#; etc.
    • Orange Squares or Rectangles are General Information Marks

I realize it is certainly a lot of information to remember. But I hope that it will help you to become a better and safer boater. Nothing can be more humbling on the water than to run aground and tear up your boat because of a simple Mark (sign) that you ignored. You need to know road signs when driving a car. It is just as important to know the waterway signs when piloting a boat. See you On the Lake!

R. Karl

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