Aids
to navigation found on federal waters,
commonly known as bouys, are designed, built
and maintained by the United States Coast
Guard. While some ATONS (Aids to Navigaions)
are bouys, many others may be daymarkers,
ranges, or many other types of marks that
provide the boating public with a "since
of direction" while on the water.
While
coming into or leaving a port or harbor
(generally speaking) green markers are kept to
the RIGHT when leaving a harbor and red
markers are kept to the RIGHT when returning
to harbor, thus coining the phrase, "Red,
Right ,Returning".
A
Can Bouy marks the RIGHT side of the channel
leaving a harbor. It will be GREEN and have
odd numbers on it. Green daymarkers are oftern
used in shallow areas for the same purpose.
If the green
marker has several pilings supporting it, it
will be called a dolphin. Green bouys with
lights will usually be found in deeper water.
The light will be green. Larger bouys may also
have bells or other sound producing devices
attached.
A
Nun Bouy marks the LEFT side of the channel
leaving a harbor. It will be RED and have even
numbers on it. Red daymarkers are oftern used
in shallow areas for the same purpose.
If the red
marker has several pilings supporting it, it
will be called a dolphin. Red bouys with
lights will usually be found in deeper water.
The light will be red. Larger bouys may also
have bells or other sound producing devices
attached.
Preferred
channel markers are a combination of red and
green. Years ago, this marker was known as a
junction marker. The preferred or better
channel is usually marked by having the top
color of the marker indicate the way it should
be treated. That is, if the top color is red,
treat it as a red marker. Just as with red and
green markers, they may be found as daymarks
or floating bouys. They will nave the same
color light at the top color of the marker and
they may have letters but not numbers.
The
Safe Water marker, years ago called the
mid-channel marker, is red and green. If it
has a light, it will be white and it may have
a red ball on the top. It may have a letter
but not a number displayed on it.
Special
Purpose markers are yellow and may serve a
wide range of uses, including but not limited
to things such as dredging, fish trap areas,
spoils areas or military exercises.
Range
markers are found in pairs with one higher
than the other. Range markers indicate the
center line of a channel by haveing them lined
up as you pass through the channel. They will
have vertical colored panels to assist in
lining them up.
Some
markers will have no lateral significance.
They are not designed to indicate the channel
but rather, to help you know where you are.
White
markers and or bouys with an orange boarder,
diamond, circle, or square can be used to
provide informatin or regulations such as a no
wake zone or a shoal area. As with all other
aids to navigation, they should be given a
wide berth to avoid possible damage to your
vessel.
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