Boating Rules (5.6) Aids to Navigation Systems (ATON)

Question 1

Do green markers have odd or even numbers?

Answer 1

Green markers have ODD numbers.

(maybe think that green is the “Right” way to start counting, so it starts with #1, which is odd). (Green also comes first alphabetically, so it start with #1.)

Question 2

Do you keep green markers to your left or right when going upstream.

Answer 2

Keep green markers to your left (port side), when you are returning from the ocean. (red, right, return).

Question 3

Do marker numbers increase or decrease as you go upstream?

Answer 3

They increase.

Question 4

What does the mnemonic red-right-returning mean?

Answer 4

When coming back from the ocean (going upstream), keep red markers on your right. (later you will learn the special case when you are traveling along the US coast)

Question 5

Which color markers display even numbers?

Answer 5

Red.

Question 6

Which direction are you going if market numbers are decreasing?

Answer 6

Downstream, to the ocean (think of #1 being at the edge of the ocean.

Question 7

When going upstream, what side of the boat should the red marker be?

Answer 7

It should be on your starboard (and green on your port)

Question 8

When going upstream, which side of a red and green lateral marker to you pass on?

Answer 8

Pass on either side. (but there is a preferred side)

Question 9

When going up stream, what is the preferred way to pass a red and green lateral marker?

Answer 9

The preferred channel is indicated by the color of the topmost band.

Question 10

When going upstream and passing a red and green banded lateral marker with the green on top, what is the proper way to pass?

Answer 10

The preferred channel is the color on top.

Since green is on top, pass as if it were a green marker, that is keep it on your left going upstream.

Question 11

What is the shape of a nun bouy?

Answer 11

Nun bouys are cone-shaped.

Question 12

What color is a nun bouy?

Answer 12

Always red.

Question 13

Are nun bouys odd or even numbered?

Answer 13

Even, like other red markers.

Question 14

What side of the boat do you keep nun buoys on?

Answer 14

Keep this marker on your right (starboard) side when proceeding in the upstream returning from sea direction.

Question 15

What color are cylindrical-shaped markers

Answer 15

Green.

Question 16

Why are green can bouys cylindrical and red nun bouys cone shaped?

Answer 16

My guess is so if you are color blind you can still tell the difference.

Question 17

When passing a green can bouy going upstream, on which side do you pass it?

Answer 17

Keep it on your left. You are keeping the red nun bouys on your right returning from the sea.

Question 18

What are Day-Marks

Answer 18

They are the Red and Green signs, they may be lit as well.

Question 19

What shape is a red day-mark sign?

Answer 19

Triangle? - fix this!

Question 20

What shape is a green day-mark sign?

Answer 20

Square? fix this.

Question 21

Which signs have even and which have odd numbers.

Answer 21

Like other red and green markers, green are odd and red are even. (Mnemonic: green comes first alphabetically so it gets #1 and all the other odd numbers)

Question 22

Do you keep GREEN day-marks on your right or left when going upstream?

Answer 22

Left. Remember - Red, right, returning.

Question 23

What are the most common colors for non-lateral markers

Answer 23

White with orange markings and blank lettering. These are informational, like “Marina Entrance”

Question 24

What does an orange diamond represent?

Answer 24

It is the “Hazard Diamond” for random hazards such as shoals and rocks.

Question 25

What is shown inside the hazard diamond

Answer 25

The type of hazard, like a picture of rocks.

Question 26

On markers, what is an orange circle for?

Answer 26

Speed limits, wash/wake restrictions, etc.

Question 27

What is the “keep out” symbol

Answer 27

A diamond with a cross inside (the cross goes to the 4 corners of the diamond.

Question 28

What is the “keep out” symbol telling you?

Answer 28

Boats are prohibited here.

Question 29

What is the ICW?

Answer 29

Intercoastal Waterway.

A series of tributaries running parallel to the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts.

Question 30

Where does the ICW run?

Answer 30

The ICW runs from New Jersey to Texas

Question 31

How are ICW navigation markers different from those in other waterways?

Answer 31

Channels that are part of the ICW are identified by yellow symbols on channel buoys and markers. Buoys and markers that bear these yellow symbols are serving a dual purpose—they are navigational aids for both the U.S. Aids to Navigation System and the ICW.

Question 32

In the ICW, what do the yellow markers inside the regular markers mean?

Answer 32

Yellow markers override the shape or color of the lateral markers they are affixed and indicate the route of the ICW.

Question 33

In the ICW, what color sign is the yellow square in?

Answer 33

It is USUALLY in the green square, but it can be in the red triangle. It overrides the color and shape of the sign it is on.

Question 34

In the ICW, what does a yellow square indicate?

Answer 34

When following the ICW in a clockwise direction starting from New Jersey and heading to Brownsville, Texas, these rules apply.

Any marker displaying a yellow square should be passed by keeping it on the port (left) side of the boat. (yellow square means treat sign as if it were a green day marker

Any marker displaying a yellow triangle should be passed by keeping it on the starboard (right) side of the boat. (Yellow triangle turns any sign into a “Red Triangle” marker)

Question 35

Were is the Western Rivers navigation system used?

Answer 35

In the Mississippi River and its tributaries above Louisiana.

Question 36

In the Western Rivers navigation system, which signs have odd numbers?

Answer 36

Trick question, the signs do not have numbers on the sign. Instead they have numbers affixed below the day-marker which indicates the distance to the river mouth.

Question 37

When following the ICW in a clockwise direction starting from New Jersey and heading to Brownsville, Texas, how do you pass a red triangle sign with a yellow square in it?

Answer 37

The yellow square “converts” any sign into a “Green Square”. So going clockwise, you are going “up stream” or red-right-return. The yellow triangle are on your port (left).

Question 38

What is a lateral marker?

Answer 38

Lateral markers are buoys and other markers that indicate the edges of safe water areas.

A type of red marker is the cone-shaped nun buoy. Red and green colors or lights are placed where a channel splits in two. If green is on top, keep the buoy on your left to continue along the preferred channel.

Question 39

How should you pass a nun buoy when going upstream?

Answer 39

Nun Buoys. Cone-shaped markers that are always red in color, with even numbers.

Keep this marker on your right (starboard) side when proceeding in the upstream returning from sea direction.