Marine Navigation Aids

Understanding Navigational Aids

The Basics

Unlike driving on roads with clear signposts, boating on waterways requires the use of Aids to Navigation (ATONs) to guide mariners. These man-made objects help in determining positions, charting a safe course, and warning of hazards along the way.

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ATONs assist mariners in various navigation tasks: making a safe landfall, marking isolated dangers, navigating channels, and providing piloting aids in coastal waters. The U.S. system works alongside nautical charts, furnishing vital information about water depths, hazards, and more—data you won't find in typical road maps.

The term "aids to navigation" includes a variety of tools like buoys, beacons, lights, lightships, radio beacons, fog signals, and more. These aids provide mariners with essential "street" signs on the water, established by both governmental and private entities.

The U.S. Coast Guard oversees the maintenance of ATONs in federal waters and areas serving the U.S. military. For state-bound waters, the state government is responsible for these aids. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages canals, dams, locks, and other man-made waterways, including the regulation of mooring buoys.

Private individuals and groups can also place "Private" Aids to Navigation with the Coast Guard's approval. These aids help mark privately maintained channels or zones and must be maintained by their sponsors.

Types of Marine Aids to Navigation

Various Types

ATONs can be floating or fixed objects, including:

• Buoys - Anchored floating objects, identifiable by their distinctive shapes and colors.
• Beacons - Stationary structures attached to the seabed or land, including lighthouses and single-pile poles.

Both buoys and beacons might have lights or sound devices such as gongs, bells, or horns, and can be referred to as "marks".

Note: Floating aids may not always be perfectly positioned or display their characteristics accurately due to environmental factors. Always prioritize fixed reference points when navigating.

Navigation Systems

U.S. Aids to Navigation System

Navigational marks vary in color, number, or lighting based on location. The primary system in the U.S. follows the "U.S. Aids to Navigation System," maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard in line with the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA).

The "LATERAL" system, commonly known as RED RIGHT RETURNING, guides mariners by marking channel sides with red even-numbered marks on the right (starboard) and green odd-numbered marks on the left (port). The numbers increase as you move from sea to harbor, assisting in orientation without a compass.

Port Side Odd-Numbered Aids

These are green, odd-numbered marks located on the left side as you travel upstream. Commonly known as "CAN" buoys, they feature a cylindrical shape. Port-side beacons carry square marks with two shades of color and a reflective border.

Starboard Side Even-Numbered Aids

Red, even-numbered marks on the right side as you travel upstream, referred to as "NUN" buoys for their cylindrical shape topped with a cone. Starboard beacons come with triangular marks, featuring two shades of color and a reflective border.

Intracoastal Waterway

In the U.S., sea buoys marking channels and the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) follow a color system: red is on the right when moving clockwise from the East Coast to the Gulf Coast or north along the West Coast. ICW marks feature a small yellow reflector for identification. Always refer to local charts for navigating changes in meaning between IALA-B and ICW marks.

Other Navigational Aids

Dayboards

Diamond-shaped marks indicating a vessel's position on a nautical map. They can be lettered and lighted with a white light.

Safe Water Marks

Used for mid-channels and fairways, indicating unobstructed water on all sides. They might have letters, white lights, or red top marks.

Isolated Danger Marks

Marks indicating a danger that can be passed on all sides, often lighted and lettered.

Special Marks

These marks indicate special features or areas like anchorages and fishing grounds, often lighted with a yellow light.

Miscellaneous Aids

Mooring Buoys

Mooring buoys are the only buoys you may legally tie your boat to, featuring white bodies with a blue band. Found in marked anchorage areas, they may have reflectors or lights.

Ranges

Pairs of fixed aids, lighted or unlighted, that show the pilot the centerline of a channel when aligned.

Regulatory Marks

White "can" buoys with orange shapes, offering warnings or instructions. Different shapes signify different types of marks: diamond for danger, diamond with a cross for exclusion areas, circle for operating restrictions, and square/rectangular for instructions.

Uniform State Waterway Marking System

Originally for lakes and inland waterways not covered by nautical charts, the U.S. Coast Guard phased out this system in 1998 in favor of the more widely recognized ATONS. Here's a summary of key changes:

• Old USWMS black port side markers are now GREEN can buoys.
• Old USWMS red starboard markers are now red NUN buoys.
• Old USWMS red and white vertically striped buoys are now green or red channel markers, regulatory markers, or isolated danger markers.
• Old white buoys with top bands are replaced similarly.

Lateral Aids

Mariners encounter some differences in state systems compared to federal ones, aiding in safe landfall and marking isolated dangers with similar goals. Notable differences include replacing black with green for portside buoys.

Other State Aids

Red-topped White Buoys

• Indicate passage south or west of the buoy.
• May be numbered and have a white reflector or light.

Black-striped White Buoys - Inland Waters Obstruction Mark

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• Signal not to pass between the mark and nearest shore.
• May be lettered, showing a white reflector or light.

Black-topped White Buoys

• Indicate passage east or north of the buoy.
• May be numbered and show a white reflector or light.

The sea presents considerable dangers, compounded by increasing offshore projects and global vessel traffic.

Marine aids to navigation like buoys are essential for mitigating these risks.

Whether constructing an offshore energy site or managing a port, proper placement and monitoring of navigation buoys ensure safe maritime operations.

However, selecting the right navigational buoy can be daunting. We offer a guide to help you choose robust and reliable ATON equipment.

Deepwater Application Buoys

Your navigation buoy choice depends on the project's scale and location, considering tides, currents, water depth, and weather. The Mobilis JET 9000 provides high visibility and stable performance, even in high-current waters.

The Mobilis Trackless unit minimizes heeling in strong tidal conditions, offering superior stability with low drag.

For windy offshore areas like the North Sea, the Mobilis JET 16000 provides exceptional buoyancy, ensuring it stays afloat even in harsh environments.

Nearshore Application Buoys

In shallower waters like estuaries, ports, and channels, the Mobilis JET 2500 is ideal for grounding-prone areas. The Mobilis M 1200 suits channel marking in slightly deeper waters.

The Mobilis AQ 1500 offers good visibility with solar-powered or battery-operated lights. Spar buoys like the Mobilis ES 1700 are handy for low waterplane areas, easy to deploy and maintain, and fit various top marks for different navigational requirements.

Zone Marking Buoys

Used for marking beaches and protected areas, zone marking buoys like the Mobilis DB 400-800 are visible and low-maintenance. These buoys ensure the lowest risk of marine traffic entering protected sites and can be equipped with additional signs and lights.

With many options available, it can be challenging to choose the right ATON equipment. At Hydrosphere, we partner with global innovators to offer top-notch marine ATON and customized solutions to meet your specific needs. Contact us at +44 (0)1420 520374 or email sales@hydrosphere.co.uk.

Want to learn more about Marine Aids to Navigation Solutions? Contact us today for expert consultation.