us aids to navigation

8/2/2019 Us Aids to Navigation

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www.uscgbating.rg1

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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U.S. Ais t Navigatin Systm www.uscgbating.rg www.uscgbating.rg 1 2


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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U.S. Ais t Navigatin Systm www.uscgbating.rg www.uscgbating.rg

3 4


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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5 6


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.)


5/19



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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9 10


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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11 12


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


8/19


13 14


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


9/19


15 16


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


10/19


17 18


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)


11/19



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


12/19


21 22


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.


13/19


23 24


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


14/19



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.


15/19



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


16/19



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.


17/19



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.


18/19



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


boating

Vest-Type Fotation Aid

or personal watercrat,

waterskiing, and water

sports

chid Hybrid Infatabe


boating

chid lie Jaet


boating

Fotation Aid


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


19/19

Most boating accidents are preventable! Be sure to:

Alwayswearyourlifejacketand

requirethesameofyourpassengers

Neverboatundertheinuence

Takeaboatingsafetycourse

GetafreeVesselSafetyCheck

www.sgboating.org

06/2011

fr mr inrmatin pas cntact:

us aids to navigation

Documents