The Uniform State Waterway Marking System; A Special Sign; Noise; Anchoring - Four winns 278 VISTA Owner's Manual

a light, note its color and pattern or timing of flashes,
and compare it to your chart to find its location.
D. The Uniform State Waterway Marking System
This section discusses three kinds of markers in this
system: Regulatory, Informational, and Lateral.
Regulatory markers in this system are either signs or
buoys. Signs are square with orange borders. Regula-
tory buoys are white and shaped like cylinders. They
have horizontal orange bands near their tops and just
above the water's surface. An orange circle on a
marker means a controlled area. A message such as
"No Wake, Idle Speed, No Skiing, or 5 M.P.H." may
appear on a marker. An orange diamond means
danger. If a diamond has an orange cross inside it,
do not enter the area. The reason you should stay out,
such as "Swim Area" may be printed in black on
the marker.
Informational Markers are white signs with orange
borders. They give information such as direction,
distance, and location.
Lateral markers in the USWMS system are either
numbered red or black buoys. Black buoys may have
green reflectors or lights. They are the equivalent of
green buoys in the IALA-B system. Red buoys may
have red reflectors or lights. They are the same as red
buoys in the IALA-B system. Red or black buoys are
usually found in pairs – pass between them.
E. A Special Sign
In Florida, you may see a special sign: "Caution,
Manatee Area". When you see this sign, slow down
to idle speed. Manatees, an endangered species, are
passive, large, slow-moving mammals. Many mana-
tees are seriously injured or killed each year by boat
propellers.
F. Noise
Always be aware of local laws on noise limits. Noise
means engine noise, radio noise or even yelling by
people on your boat. Good seamanship demands that
you operate your boat quietly so as not to infringe on
the rights of others. Do not use thru-hull exhaust
unless you are well offshore.
Basic Seamanship - Section C
G. Anchoring
The weight of the anchor and diameter of anchor line
should be governed by the size and weight of your
boat. Keep anchor secure while underway to prevent
damage or injury due to sudden shifting in the boat's
attitude.
Use two or more anchors if anchoring overnight or
for extended periods. If not using two anchors, make
certain there is sufficient clearance for your boat to
swing in a full circle to prevent damage in case of
shifting winds.
Make certain you have enough anchor line (or scope)
for the depth of water. Your anchor line should be
6 to 7 times the depth of water anchored in. For
example, if you are in 20 feet of water, use 120 to
140 feet of anchor line.
Secure anchor line to bow eye or deck cleat.
Never tie anchor line to a rail, rail fitting or
other hardware not designed to support this
stress.
To drop anchor:
Approach your selected anchoring site from down-
wind and come to a dead stop over the spot where
you want to drop anchor. Lower the anchor manually
or by using the windlass if applicable.
Maneuver the boat slowly backwards until length of
anchor line is 6 or 7 times the depth of the water.
Fasten the anchor line around the bow eye or deck
cleat. Anchor flukes should dig in and catch. Watch
for anchor drag by checking shoreline landmarks at
the time the anchor is dropped and one-half hour
later. If the boat has drifted away from these refer-
ence marks, the anchor is dragging and must be
reset.
To weigh anchor:
Start the engine running before pulling in anchor.
Slowly maneuver the boat forward to reduce tension
on the line and make retrieval of the anchor line
easier.
Owner's Manual Page