Aids to Navigation

 

Navigational Buoys are an important aspect of boating safely since they define safe and unsafe areas of transit for boats.  July's Tips of the Month will focus on buoys commonly seen and their significance.  Other boater education sections will go into more detail on these and other important navigational devices.

The most common and important buoys are the red and green buoys that define channels.  These buoys also have distinctive shapes and numbering.  Some have flashing lights and certain sounds so as to distinguish them from other nearby buoys, even in fog or at night.

Emerald Bay Entry

The entry into a harbor or bay may look complicated as the picture above, demonstrating what is seen entering Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe.  At this distance, the red buoys on the right and the green buoys on the left are not easily seen.  The buoys, even at this distance clearly define the channel to safely enter this bay.  The old mnemonic is "Red, Right, Returning".  This means as you return from the ocean or bigger waters, such as the main part of Lake Tahoe, you should keep the red buoys on your right as you return into the harbor or bay.  The green buoys should be kept to your left as you enter the bay. The area between the red and green buoys is the safe channel for passage into the bay or harbor.

Green Buoy

Green, "can" buoys define the port side ( left ) of the channel.  They are can shaped with the longest part of the can oriented vertically.  They are numbered with odd numbers. The buoy above is number 3.  The entrance to a harbor may start many miles out.  The first green buoy is numbered one and increases as you proceed down the channel. This buoy has a lifting ring on the top for servicing by local authorities or the Coast Guard.  The buoys are anchored to the bottom of the bay with a long chain tied to a heavy weight such as a concrete block.

Red Buoy

"Nun" buoys have a conical shape, are red in color and are even numbered.  They define the starboard or  right side of the channel.  Like the can buoys, they may be first placed more than a mile off shore and the numbers increase as you proceed down the channel. Large vessels such as freighters need a large amount of water to turn and this placement allows them to "line up" with the channel many miles offshore.  A nautical chart will allow you to calculate the heading needed to proceed down the channel.

Red and Green buoys such as those above, typically have the nun and can shapes since they are not lighted.  Buoys may also be lighted, or produce sounds.  These buoys as well as regulatory and warning buoys will be addressed in other boating education sections on this site.It is important to recognize a buoy on a nautical chart since this will allow you to maintain a safe course.

Salmon Bay Chart Exerpt

The buoy listed on this excerpt from a nautical chart shows a buoy in the left lower quadrant.  The GPS marker with the green box of coordinates points to the buoy.

All buoys are marked by a diamond shape attached to an open circle.  If there is a magenta color overlying the circle it means that the buoy is lighted.  Next to the buoy are the symbols:

G "3"  This means that this is a green buoy with the number 3 on it.  The next line is: Fl  G 4s This means that the buoy flashes a green light every 4 seconds.  Finally, the buoy also produces a sound.  For this particular buoy, it produces a gong sound. Each of these is important.  For example, if it was night time and the buoy was not visible, you would still be able to identify it by it's green flashing light every 4 seconds.  Even if it were night and foggy, you could hear the gong.