(Marine Safety) Department Navigation Systems Division Prevention (Marine Safety) Department Navigation Systems Division BASIC ATON TRAINING 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop 1

Basic ATON Training Today’s Subject Agenda ATON Discrepancy Review. Getting AUXDATA credit for AN Activity. 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

ATON Training Objectives 1. Review the definitions for the various Federal and Private ATONs. 2. Understand why ATONs are established. 3. Understand the specific purpose of the various ATONs. 4. Become familiar with the flash characteristics used on ATONs. 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

ATON Operational Objectives 1. A high level of professionalism required on the part of the AN Team member. 2. Accurate and complete ATON reports to the Coast Guard. 3. A high level of quality data to increase the credibility of our ATON Program. 3. Reports forwarded to the Coast Guard in a timely manner. 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

TERMINOLOGY UPDATE ATON – FEDERAL SHORT RANGE AID TO NAVIGATION. PATON – PRIVATE AID TO NAVIGATION. 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

ATON System Definitions IALA - International Association of Lighthouse Authorities. Divides the world into 2 regions: Region “A”: Most of the World Region “B”: North & South America, Japan, Korea, and the Philippines. Bowditch pg.72 Each country had their own system of navigation. Ships going to other countries were confused. All the countries got together and came up with a standard. In 1980 IALA maritime buoyage system was adopted. 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

ATON System Modes Region “B” Region “A” Green Even Triangles Red Odd Squares Region “B” Red – Even - Triangles and nuns. Green - Odd - Squares and cans. 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

U.S. Marking System ATON System Names Intracoastal Waterway System Western River System There are 3 systems that make up our waterways 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

U. S. Marking System “Red Right Returning from the sea” Lateral System: Employs a simple arrangement of . . . 1. colors, 2. numbers, and 3. shapes, and when you can’t see the shape,, light colors and light characteristics. . . . to show on which side an aid should be passed when proceeding in the Conventional Direction of Buoyage. “Red Right Returning from the sea” Bowditch pg.73 The LATERAL system indicates the PORT & STBD sides of the channel. Europeans use a CARDINAL system, developed from the four points of the compass, that marks where navigable water is located. an eastern quadrant buoy means that there is navigable water on the eastern side of the buoy . 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Conventional Direction of Buoyage Purpose: To identify how aids should be passed in areas other than channels. Regions: Atlantic Coast: Southerly Gulf Coast: North and Westerly Pacific Coast: Northerly Great Lakes: North and Westerly (Lake Michigan: Southerly) 4-3 AM / Bowditch pg.73,74 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Conventional Direction of Buoyage Used for marking the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) and the off-shore ocean buoys along the coast. 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Definition of an Aid to Navigation Any device, external to a vessel, intended to assist navigators to: a. Determine their position, b. Determine a safe course, or c. To warn them of dangers or obstructions to navigation. 4-1 4-14 Admin manual 1-2/ 1-5 Any device external, could be a landmark, building, jetty, buoy, or whatever... that assists YOU with navigation. 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Definition of a Buoy Any unmanned, floating aid to navigation that is moored to the seabed. May be lighted or unlighted. The seabed is owned by the Corps of Engineers (USACE) and is licensed to the Coast Guard who deploy ATONs and authorize private parties to deploy PATONs. 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Nun Buoy 6 White Conical shape Number Red Retro 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Definition of a Beacon Any fixed aid to navigation located on a shore or marine site. Lighted beacons are called Lights. Unlighted beacons are called Daybeacons or Daymarks. 4-13 4-12 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Definition of a Daymark The daytime identifier of an aid to navigation presenting one of several colors, shapes, numerals or letters. Shape may be square, triangle, rectangle, diamond or octagon. 4-1 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

2 Red Daymark 2 It should have a contrasting red number Is there anything wrong with this daymark? It should have a contrasting red number 2

Starboard Lateral Marks Color: Red Shape: Triangular or conical—nuns. Character: Even Numbers Light: Red Lighted Buoy Small Light Daymark 3-6 tech manual Nun 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Lighted Red Buoy 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Red Daymark on Dolphin (Lighted) 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Port Lateral Marks Cans Numbers Color: Green Shape: Square / Lighted Buoy Color: Green Shape: Square / Cans Character: Odd Numbers Light: Green Small Light Daymark 3-6 tech manual Can 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Can Buoy 7 7 It should have a white number. Is there anything wrong with this can buoy?

Green Can Buoy 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Lighted Green Buoy 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

3 3 Green Daymark It should have a contrasting GREEN number. Is there anything wrong with this daybeacon? 3 3 Green Daymark

A good reason to take it slow and watch where you’re going! 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Let’s add in a few more buoy types! 9 10 2 7 1 8 OK . . . Let’s add in a few more buoy types! 5 6 3 2 3 We are going to mark this channel. 1. green #1 leave to port. 2. red #2 leave to stbd 3. continue up with #3, #5 etc 4. next channel starts numbering over from #1 with dayboards 5. for secondary channel begin numbers over 1 2 Any questions about the IALA-B “lateral” system? 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Preferred Channel Marks Purpose: Marks junctions / bifurcations Description: Color: Red & Green horizontally banded (top color band is preferred channel) Shape: Same as preferred channel (uppermost band is preferred channel) Character: Letter not number. Light: Same color as uppermost band. Characteristic: Gp Fl (2+1) 6s Bowditch pg. 76 / 3-10 TM 4-28 TO SEA JUNCTION BIFURCATION energize 2+1 flashing lantern A 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

JUNCTION BIFURCATION CROSSING Two channels join to form one channel. Preferred channel buoy is upstream. BIFURCATION One channel splits to form two channels. Preferred channel buoy is downstream. CROSSING One channel crosses another channel. No requirement to mark all four corners. Bowditch pg. 76 / 3-10 TM 4-28 TO SEA JUNCTION BIFURCATION energize 2+1 flashing lantern 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop 29

Junctions and Bifurcation Patterns

In the main (primary) channel, pass on your port side (to your left) returning from the sea. In the secondary channel, pass on your starboard side (to your right) – “Red Right Returning from the sea.” 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

You always have to reference your nautical chart! 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 You always have to reference your nautical chart! How do you know which is the main channel? BR We are going to mark this channel. 1. green #1 leave to port. 2. red #2 leave to stbd 3. continue up with #3, #5 etc 4. next channel starts numbering over from #1 with dayboards 5. for secondary channel begin numbers over 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Safe Water Mark all around the mark. Purpose: Indicates navigable water all around the mark. Description: Color: Red and White vertically striped. Shape: Sphere or Buoy with Topmark. Character: White letters. (ex. “NC” North Channel) Light Color: White Characteristic: Mo(A) 4-5 usually the sea buoy / entrance buoy We use a RED BALL for the topmark. IALA states that spheres signifies a safe water mark. U.S. uses a red/white striped aid. This is to costly for us to change to a sphere, so we use the topmark to comply with the sphere requirement. 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Safe Water Marks MR Spherical Lighted and or sound 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Lighted Safe Water Mark 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Isolated Danger Mark Purpose: Marks isolated dangers or obstructions that can be passed on all sides Description: Color: Black and Red horizontal bands. Shape: Buoy with two black top marks. Character: White Lettering – no numbers. Light: White. Light Characteristic: Gp Fl (2) 5s. Bowditch pg.74 / 4-5AM This doesn’t have anything to do with the channel. This is off by itself. Topmark is 2 black balls. 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Special Purpose Aids Purpose: Not intended to assist safe navigation but to indicate special areas marked on charts (anchorages, traffic separation schemes, data gathering, etc) Description: Aid Color: Yellow. Aid Shape: Various. Characters: Black lettering, no numbers. Light Color: Yellow Light Characteristic: Fixed, Flashing (except Mo A, 2+1, Qk) 3-16TM / 4-5AM 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Special Purpose Aids 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Regulatory and Information Marks Diamond - means danger and words may appear explaining the danger. Called a Danger Buoy Circle- means restricted operations. Speed Buoys (5 MPH) or No Wake Buoys. Diamond with a Cross - tells you that vessels are not allowed in the area. Called Exclusion Buoys Square - contains directions for the boater. Bridge Regulatory Signs. 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Regulatory and Information Marks What’s wrong with this picture? Regulatory and Information Marks DANGER Restricted Operations Exclusion Area DANGER If lighted White only No Cross inside the diamond

Regulatory and Information Marks Purpose: Alert the mariner to such things as submerged pipes, no wake zones, etc. Description: Aid Color: White with orange band or border. Shape: Square, Round, or Diamond. Character: Lettering (black, usually words) Light Color: White Light Characteristic: Anything not otherwise reserved 3-24 Maintained by state and civilians. CG has some also. Orange boarder is retro. 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Restricted Operations - Minimum Wake 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Restricted Operations - Manatee Zone Bridge Discrepancy Report 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

DANGER 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Restricted Operations - No Wake Check the structure and piles! 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Restricted Operations Area These are non-lateral aids. The accuracy of the location of these aids is usually not a major issue. The location of these aids in the navigable channel is considered a reportable discrepancy. These aids are normally “Private.” 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Restricted Operations - No Wake 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Exclusion Area - No Anchoring 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Definition of a Range A pair of beacons arranged so that, when they are aligned, they indicate the navigable center line of the channel. 4-13 4-12 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Range Marks KGW = Range, Green, with a White Stripe. Purpose: Indicate the navigable center line of a channel when they are in line (aligned) as you traverse the channel. Description: Aid Color: They will have colored panels equal in size with vertical stripes. Aid Shape: Rectangle with tall side up. Aid Light - Green, Red, White or Yellow. Front range light is lower of the two. Rear range light is higher and further from the mariner. KGW = Range, Green, with a White Stripe. 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Range Marks RR - Rear Range Mark FR – Front Range Mark 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

WRECK MARKS Purpose: To alert the mariner to wrecks. Description: Aid Color: Appropriate to side of channel. Aid Shape: Appropriate to side of channel. Character: White lettering “WR”, numbered in sequence with channel (WR2). Aid Light: Same as buoy color. Light Characteristic: Quick Flashing (unless aid is a preferred channel aid) 4-36AM 6-1 This is part of the lateral system, and is numbered consecutively. Can be red or green. 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

LOCATION MARK Some markers will have no lateral significance. They are not designed to indicate the channel but rather, to help you determine where you are. 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Is this a junction or a bifurcation? 9 10 2 7 1 8 5 6 3 DANGER 2 3 N Is this a junction or a bifurcation? harbor picture 1. WHAT IS THIS. junction buoy - we have a primary & secondary channel. what does the junction buoy look like? Flashing characteristic?? explain preferred channel, leave to stbd 2. WHAT IS THIS. mid-channel buoy - what is this? what does it indicate? flashing characteristic? 3. WHAT IS THIS. Iso Danger mark - what is this? what does it indicate? flashing characteristic? rocks marked by ISO. Danger mark 4. WHAT IS THIS. anchorage area 5. WHAT IS THIS. information mark 6. WHAT IS THIS. range for channel 7. WHAT IS THIS. non-lateral - no lateral significance, not part of the channel. 8. sailboat comes in. SINKS. what markings do you put on the buoy? 1 2 A 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Light Structures Major Lighthouses Minor Lights Not named Are named. e.g. Boston Light Symbol is large exclamation point. Fixed position Minor Lights Not named Same symbol 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Boston Light 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Inside the Boston Light tower. 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Other Lights 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Understanding Light Patterns Learn how to time a light. 1. Time multiple light cycles. 2. Divide the time by the number of cycles.

Light Patterns Fixed (F) – continuous, unblinking light Flashing (Fl) – light duration shorter than darkness. Frequency not greater than 30 per minute. Quick Flashing (Q) – light duration shorter than darkness. Frequency is at least 60 per minute. Very Quick Flashing (VQ) – light duration shorter than darkness. Frequency is at least 100 per minute. Interrupted Quick Flashing (IQ) – like quick flashing but having a brief, extended darkness period. Isophase (Iso) – Light has equal duration between light and darkness. Period consists of both light and dark interval. Also called Equal Interval (E Int). 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Light Patterns Group Flashing (Gp Fl (x+x)) – Combination of two patterns in one period, i.e. 2 flashes followed by three flashes. Occulting (Occ) – Opposite of flashing – light is on more than it is off. Alternating (AL) – Alternating light changes color. Special purpose light for situations requiring significant caution. Example shows AL.WG…alternating white and green light. Morse (Mo) – Morse code light signal. Example is Morse “U” which is two short flashes followed by one prolonged flash then a period of darkness. Shown as (Mo(U)) on charts. Long Flashing (LFL) – One long flash in a period with lighted period of at least 2 seconds. 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Review the symbols and abbreviations on your NOAA chart for every aid that you check. Report any discrepancies to the Coast Guard and as a chart update to NOAA. Check that the charted symbols and abbreviations match your on-scene observations of the aid.

Chart Symbols CAN - Green Diamond with small watch circle NUN – Red diamond with small watch circle. Watch circle overprinted with magenta when lighted. Italics used for buoys and other floating aids. 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Symbols - Daymarks and Minor Lights Green Daymark Green square. Red Daymark Red triangle Minor Light - Magenta exclamation mark (teardrop with black dot) Vertical letters used for fixed marks 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Charted Symbols Symbol data in quotes indicates that the characters appears on the aid. Symbol data in italics indicates that the aid is floating. Vertical symbol data indicates that the aid is fixed. Always validate that the symbol shown on your chart matches the aid that you observe and the entry for the aid in the Light List. 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

…that you do not understand? Is there anything on this chart . . . 9 10 88 90 2 7 1 8 92 87 89 5 6 91 3 DANGER 2 3 N properly set up channel with tender at the pier. 1 2 …that you do not understand? A 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

ATON - Reference Materials Local Notice to Mariners – LNM - online Chart No. 1: Nautical Chart Symbols, Abbreviations, and Terms - online Light List – ME to New Jersey - online Coast Pilot – ME to Cape Cod - online 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Chart No. 1 Purpose is to help you identify ATONS Standard conventions on all charts Listed in Chart No. 1 On Line 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Supports the Local Notice to Mariners The Local Notice to Mariner is generated using the ATONIS Database Chart Corrections Discrepancies Light List Changes On line. 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Intracoastal Waterway Begins in New Jersey. Goes south to the Florida Keys. Then north along the west coast of Florida. Then west along the Gulf of Mexico to Brownsville, Texas. 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Intracoastal Waterway Marks When aids in a channel are also used to identify an ICW channel. The normal “Red right returning from the sea” rule applies to both. Intracoastal Waterway Marks 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Intracoastal Waterway Marks Yellow triangles, squares and bands are used to identify ICW marks. The material used is retroreflective. Yellow triangles are usually displayed on red lateral marks used on the ICW. Yellow squares usually are usually displayed on green lateral marks used on the ICW. Yellow bands are displayed on non-lateral ATONS used on the ICW. Intracoastal Waterway Marks retroreflective 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Aids marking the Intracoastal Waterway 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Red Daymark/Minor Light with ICW Mark ICW Triangle 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Green Daymark/Minor Light with ICW Mark ICW Square 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Dual Purpose Marks When aids in a channel are also used to identify an ICW channel. The “Red right returning from the sea” rule applies to the regular aids. The role for the regular aids is reversed and marked for ICW transit - - dual purpose. 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Dual Purpose Marks Are found on cans and nuns in the ICW. Sometimes a yellow triangle appears on a can or square daymark or a yellow square appears on a nun or triangle daymark. The buoy has dual purpose. To use the ICW, follow the yellow marks. When following the local waterway, use the IALA-B lateral system marks. 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Intracoastal Waterway Marks Dual Purpose Marks 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

Electronic Aids To Navigation Loran-C Obsolete Not usable for positioning in the ATON program. GPS - Global Positioning Systems Differential GPS – used by Coast Guard. WAAS - Wide Area Augmentation Systems These are the preferred positioning systems. Electronic Nautical Charts. Integrated to GPS, RADAR, and Depth Sounder. Must be supplemented with a NOAA paper chart. 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

The End 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

REVIEW 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop

properly set up channel with tender at the pier. 9 10 88 90 2 7 1 8 92 87 89 5 6 91 3 DANGER 2 3 N properly set up channel with tender at the pier. 1 2 A 2003 Aids to Navigation Workshop