Navigational Aids; International Association Of Lighthouse Authorities System B (Iala-B); Lateral Markers; Safe Water Markers - Four winns FREEDOM Owner's Manual

hazardous situations. Use whistle blasts early enough
to be noticed and understood by other boaters.
It is customary for the privileged boat to signal first and
the yielding boat to return the same signal to acknowl-
edge she understands and will comply. Use the danger
signal (five or more short and rapid blasts) if intent is not
clear. A short blast is one (1) or two (2) seconds long. A
long blast is four (4) to six (6) seconds long. The Navi-
gational Aids Chart at the end of this section lists the
meanings of the various whistle signals.
C - 2

NAVIGATIONAL AIDS

Aids to navigation (ATONS) help you to travel safely on
the water. They help you get from one place to another
and are most helpful if you have a nautical chart. A
navigational aids chart is at the end of this section.
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 Association
of Lighthouse Authorities System B (IALA-B). The Coast
Guard maintains this system. The second system is
the Uniform State Waterway Marking System (USWMS).
This system is maintained by state authorities.
A. 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 markers
and safe water markers. Other federal markers include
special markers and isolated danger markers. The Navi-
gational Aids Chart at the end of this section shows
these aids.
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 mark-
ers have even numbers.
Freedom™/Horizon™ Owner's Manual
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 propeller
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 agreement,
going upstream on a navigational river is returning 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 fairways.
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" is 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.
Section C
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