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NEVER tie your vessel to an ATON. It is illegal
because it blocks the ATON from view of other
boaters. Decreased visibility can contribute to
a serious accident which may result in property
damage, personal injury, or death.
There are two ATON systems. The system used on
federal waters is known as the International Associa-
tion of Lighthouse Authorities System B (IALA-B). The
US Coast Guard maintains this system. The second
system is the Uniform State Waterway Marking Sys-
tem (USWMS). This system is maintained by state
authorities.
1. International Association of Lighthouse
Authorities System B (IALA-B)
IALA-B uses four types of ATONS. This section dis-
cusses the two most common markers: lateral mark-
ers and safe water markers. Other federal markers
include special markers and isolated danger markers.
The Navigational Aids Chart at the end of this manual
shows these aids.
2. 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 jet nozzle 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 day-
marks are square and have odd numbers.
Boating Safety & Information - Section A
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.
3. 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.
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
channel 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
patterns. For example, they may flash every three
seconds, 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.
4. 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
Owner's Manual Page 35
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