Regal LS4C Owner's Manual page 45

Navigation Aids
Navigation aids are placed along coasts and
navigable waters as a guide for mariners in
determining their position in reference to land
and hidden danger. Each aid provides specific
information. They form a continuous system of
charted markers for monitoring on the plotter or
providing accurate piloting on paper as a backup.
Your on board plotter provides up to date navigation
aids. Besides coastal maps a complete domestic
interior waterway grid is featured on the plotter.
If desired, there are hand-held GPS devices that
are available as back-up devices. In addition,
nautical charts are provided by the National Ocean
Service (NOS) and are distributed nationwide
through marinas and outlet stores. These charts
show the geography of the coast, water depth,
landmarks, navigation aids (buoys and markers),
marine hazards, and port facilities. Use only up-
to-date charts for navigation. We recommend
when purchasing a chart to look for the weather
resistant ones. Buoys provide a road map to keep
the skipper on course and to avoid hazards. Buoys
are identified by light, shape, color and in severe
weather conditions by sound.
Buoys or beacons called lateral markers indicate
the port and starboard sides of the waterway to be
followed. U. S markers follow the buoy age system
known as Red Right Returning. When returning
from sea or traveling upstream, the green markers
are to port (on your left) and the red markers are to
the starboard side (on your right). When traveling
downstream or out to sea the marker color would
be reversed.
Before operating your vessel, learn to identify
the various navigational aids such as lateral aids,
mid-channel markers, information and regulatory
markers.
NOTICE
SKIPPERS MUST NOT RELY ON BUOYS
ALONE TO MARK THEIR POSITION.
SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS
AND WAVE ACTION CAN ALTER
A BUOY'S POSITION.
NEVER TIE UP TO A BUOY.
IT IS ILLEGAL AND DANGEROUS.
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