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".

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.

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:

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Marine Aids to Navigation Solutions.

• 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

The dangers of the sea should never be underestimated. 

Unlike our roads, waterways do not have signs that tell us our location, distance to a destination or alert us to any hazards. Throw the growing number of offshore projects and increasing global vessel traffic into the mix, and the risks at sea only increase. 

That is why using marine aids to navigation (AtoN) ' like navigation buoys ' is essential. 

Whether you are starting the construction of an offshore renewable energy site, heading up an aquaculture farm or a harbourmaster responsible for enforcing the regulations of a particular port, the placement and monitoring of navigation buoys'are critical for the safe operation and maintenance of your maritime project.  

But choosing the most suitable navigation buoys is no easy task. Luckily, we have created a guide to help you invest in the most robust and reliable AtoN equipment'

Deepwater application buoys

The navigation buoy required will largely depend on two key factors: the scale of your project and its location. Under location, there are then multiple other considerations, including tides and currents, water depth and the typical weather conditions in that area.  

In deep waters, large buoys like the'Mobilis JET 'offer important visibility thanks to a highly stable focal plane of up to six metres. The'navigation buoy's'numerous mooring configurations are also helpful for projects in high-current waters, ensuring a safe swing radius is maintained despite challenging sea conditions.

Also beneficial for high-current waters is the Mobilis Trackless unit ' a streamlined platform designed to minimise the heeling problems associated with buoys in strong tidal flow conditions. The carefully designed combination of hull and rudder plate attains superior stability ' with six times less drag than a conventional buoy of similar size. 

In places where winds are particularly fierce, like offshore wind farms in the North Sea, buoyancy is another critical consideration. The Mobilis JET is perfect for these conditions ' with a 3.6-metre diameter hull that provides up to 12 tonnes of reserve buoyancy, ensuring the aid stays afloat even in the harshest environments.' 

Nearshore application buoys

If your project is closer to land ' located in areas such as estuaries, ports, channels or small harbours ' there are multiple factors to consider when selecting your navigation buoy, including the depth of water, risk of grounding and the strength of the tide. 

Ideal for use in shallow water where there is a likelihood of grounding, the Mobilis JET is a flat-bottom buoy with a 1.8-diameter hull ' providing 2,500 kilograms of buoyancy. For slightly deeper applications, like the channel marking of smaller harbours, fish farms and outfalls, the Mobilis M is a suitable solution.

The Mobilis AQ is another practical option for shallow-water applications. It has a focal height of up to 2.5 metres, allowing for a solar-powered or battery-operated navigation light to be fitted to its tower for improved visibility. 

Spar buoys are also valuable for nearshore applications ' particularly when a buoy with a low waterplane area is required. 

The Mobilis ES is a rotationally moulded spar buoy made from medium-density polyethylene (MDPE). Its strong structure ' with lightweight moorings and sinkers ' makes it easy to deploy, and as it can be handled by small crafts, it does not require the use of lifting equipment.

The ES can be fitted with a self-contained navigation light, providing a visible range of up to three metres and is suitable for seasonal or short-term deployment with virtually no maintenance required.

Plus, an available selection of top marks means the buoy can be used as a cardinal or special mark to indicate the position of a hazard and the direction of safe water.

Zone marking buoys

Zone marking buoys are most often used for beach and protected area marking, such as wildlife conservation areas.

To make sure you get the right buoy for your requirements, consider all factors that will affect the visibility and stability of the mark, including the depth of water, sea conditions and the range of light required.

The Mobilis DB 400-800 is a highly visible solution, ensuring the lowest possible risk of marine traffic entering protected sites. Constructed from rigid, high-density polyethylene plastic (HDPE), the DB 400-800 reduces the need for maintenance ' avoiding potentially harmful disruption in marked areas.

Available in cylindrical, conical or spherical shapes, this zone marking buoy can also be fitted with lights, top marks and signs to help manage sea traffic and public safety ' notifying boats that speeding and anchoring are prohibited and steering them away from restricted zones.'

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