Navigation Aids - Regal 2700 Owner's Manual

CHAPTER 2

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 accurate piloting on paper
and on the water.
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 buoyage
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. The
Intercoastal waterway uses a different system of lateral markers for
port and starboard. 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 BUOYS POSITION.
NEVER TIE UP TO A BUOY.
IT IS ILLEGAL AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
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