1. Navigation
NAU 102
Lesson 10

2. Buoy Labels
Buoys may be numbered or lettered for ease of identification.
Port hand buoys = odd numbers
Starboard buoys = even numbers
“Even Red Nuns have Odd Green Cans”
Numbers increase from seaward.

3. All solid colored buoys are numbered in both IALA – A and B systems
Buoy Labels
All solid colored buoys are numbered in both IALA – A and B systems
No other colored buoys are numbered but may have a letter for identification

4. Buoy Labels

5. All other buoys may be lettered. E.g. “CBJ” = Chesapeake Bay Junction
Buoy Labels
All other buoys may be lettered.
E.g. “CBJ” = Chesapeake Bay Junction

6. Buoy Sounds Buoys may be fitted with sound devices.
Bells – one tone, caused by buoy movement.
Gongs – multiple tones, caused by buoy movement.

7. Buoy Sounds
Whistle – moaning sound (compressed air), caused by buoy movement.
Horn – disc diaphragm operated pneumatically or electrically.
In calm seas, might not hear bell, gong or whistle buoys.

8. Buoy Lights Optional equipment for buoys.
Color and Phase Characteristics are important.
Color:
Lateral Marks - Red or Green
Special Marks - Yellow
All Other Marks - White

9. Buoy Lights Phase Characteristics
Pattern of alternating flashes and eclipses (dark periods)
Enables identification of specific marks in the dark.
See table 506 in Bowditch.

10. LIGHT CHARACTERISTICS
FIXED: Shows continuously, steady
OCCULTING: Longer duration of light than darkness
ISOPHASE: Duration of light and darkness are equal
FLASHING: Duration of light is shorter than duration of darkness

11. LIGHT CHARACTERISTICS
Group Flashing: Specific number of group flashes regularly repeated
Composite Group Flashing: Successive groups in the period have a different number of flashes
Quick Flashing: 60 flashes per minute
Interrupted Quick Flashing: Quick light interrupted by regularly repeated eclipses

12. LIGHT CHARACTERISTICS
Morse Code: two clearly different durations (dots and dashes) grouped to represent a Morse Code character or characters
Examples: The San Francisco Approach Lighted Whistle Buoy SF (Sea Buoy) & the San Pablo Bay Channel Lighted Buoy E both flash Morse “A” (dot dash)
Alternating: Alternates different colors

13. Buoy Lights Port & Starboard Lateral Marks
Any phase characteristic other than Comp. GpFl (2+1)

14. Junction & Bifurcation Marks
Buoy Lights
Junction & Bifurcation Marks
Comp. GpFl (2+1)

15. Buoy Lights
Safe Water Marks

16. Buoy Lights
Isolated Danger Marks

17. Buoy Lights
Special Marks

18. Buoy Lights
Cardinal Marks

19. Beacons Fixed Marks Mounted ashore or in shallow water
Lighted Beacon = “Light”
No light = “Daybeacon”
“Daymark” – the sign or structure enabling identification by day

20. Beacons
Daymark

21. Shape & Color have meaning Triangles to starboard.
Day Beacons
Shape & Color have meaning
(IALA – B)
Green to port.
Red to starboard.
Squares to port.
Triangles to starboard.

22. Day Beacons
Safewater
Special
Isolated Danger
Red & Black Diamond

23. Intracoastal Waterway Buoys & Daymarks with yellow stripes.1
Used only on ICW

24. 1 Intracoastal Waterway Buoys & Daymarks with yellow shapes.
Indicate dual use
Yellow rectangle or square = port side of ICW
Yellow triangle = starboard side of ICW

25. Intracoastal Waterway

26. LIGHT SECTORS
Light lenses have different colors to produce a system of light sectors of different colors
Red sectors typically mark shoals or worn of obstructions, nearby land – boundaries are marked by dotted lines on a chart
Light List bearings for these sectors are in TRUE degrees as observed FROM a vessel toward the light

27. Introduction to Navigation
Questions?