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B. Lateral Markers
Lateral markers indicate the sides of navigable chan-
nels. They consist of lighted can or nun buoys and
daymarks. Each has a number and is either red or
green. The numbers on the green markers are odd.
Red markers have even numbers.
Buoys are red or green floating ATONS. If lighted, they
have either red or green lights. Unlighted green buoys,
called cans, look like cylinders. Unlighted red nun buoys
have a cone shaped top with their points cut off. Do
not pass too close to a buoy. You may foul the propel-
ler in its chain.
NOTICE
Buoys are anchored floating objects and may
not always be in exactly the same position.
Daymarks are red or green boards with numbers. They
are on posts or groups of pilings tied together and called
dolphins. Daymarks and their supports are daybeacons.
Daybeacons may or may not have lights. If a red or
green daybeacon has a light, it is the same color as
the marker-red or green. Red daymarks are triangular
and have even numbers. Green daymarks are square
and have odd numbers.
Red, Right, Returning is a basic rule to assist you
in using lateral markers. When you are returning from
seaward , keep red markers on the starboard (right)
side when you pass them. Keep green markers to the
port side.
Returning from seaward is very clear if you have been
on the ocean. You are returning to port. By agree-
ment, going upstream on a navigational river is return-
ing from seaward. The outlet ends of the Great Lakes
are also the seaward ends. Traveling from a large body
of water to a smaller one is considered returning from
seaward.
C. Safe Water Markers
Safe water markers have vertical red and white stripes
and mark the center of navigable channels and fair-
ways. Safe water markers included both lighted and
unlighted buoys and daymarks. If a marker is lighted,
the light is white and flashes the letter "A" in Morse
Code.
Owner's Manual
05/00
Preferred Channel markers have horizontal red and
green bands. If lighted, the color of the light is the same
as the top of the band. They show the preferred chan-
nel for you to use at a junction point. Be sure to notice
the color of the top of the band, and treat it as any other
marker you would of that color. If the band is red and
you are returning from seaward, keep the marker to
the right.
Most lights on markers flash on and off. Others such
as lights on aids with no lateral significance are fixed.
They stay on all night. ATON lights flash in regular pat-
terns. For example, they may flash every three sec-
onds, or in groups such as two flashes and a pause.
There are a number of flashing patterns, which help
you identify the light at night. To identify 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. Regu-
latory 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 MPH" 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 bor-
ders. They give information such as direction, distance,
and location.
Lateral markers in the USWMS system are either num-
bered 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.
Section J
Page 10
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