Boating Rules (5.6) Aids to Navigation Systems (ATON) Flashcards
Do green markers have odd or even numbers?
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.)
Do you keep green markers to your left or right when going upstream.
Keep green markers to your left (port side), when you are returning from the ocean. (red, right, return).
Do marker numbers increase or decrease as you go upstream?
They increase.
What does the mnemonic red-right-returning mean?
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)
Which color markers display even numbers?
Red.
Which direction are you going if market numbers are decreasing?
Downstream, to the ocean (think of #1 being at the edge of the ocean.
When going upstream, what side of the boat should the red marker be?
It should be on your starboard (and green on your port)
When going upstream, which side of a red and green lateral marker to you pass on?
Pass on either side. (but there is a preferred side)
When going up stream, what is the preferred way to pass a red and green lateral marker?
The preferred channel is indicated by the color of the topmost band.
When going upstream and passing a red and green banded lateral marker with the green on top, what is the proper way to pass?
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.
What is the shape of a nun bouy?
Nun bouys are cone-shaped.
What color is a nun bouy?
Always red.
Are nun bouys odd or even numbered?
Even, like other red markers.
What side of the boat do you keep nun buoys on?
Keep this marker on your right (starboard) side when proceeding in the upstream returning from sea direction.
What color are cylindrical-shaped markers
Green.
Why are green can bouys cylindrical and red nun bouys cone shaped?
My guess is so if you are color blind you can still tell the difference.
When passing a green can bouy going upstream, on which side do you pass it?
Keep it on your left. You are keeping the red nun bouys on your right returning from the sea.
What are Day-Marks
They are the Red and Green signs, they may be lit as well.
What shape is a red day-mark sign?
Triangle? - fix this!
What shape is a green day-mark sign?
Square? fix this.
Which signs have even and which have odd numbers.
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)
Do you keep GREEN day-marks on your right or left when going upstream?
Left. Remember - Red, right, returning.
What are the most common colors for non-lateral markers
White with orange markings and blank lettering. These are informational, like “Marina Entrance”
What does an orange diamond represent?
It is the “Hazard Diamond” for random hazards such as shoals and rocks.
What is shown inside the hazard diamond
The type of hazard, like a picture of rocks.
On markers, what is an orange circle for?
Speed limits, wash/wake restrictions, etc.
What is the “keep out” symbol
A diamond with a cross inside (the cross goes to the 4 corners of the diamond.
What is the “keep out” symbol telling you?
Boats are prohibited here.
What is the ICW?
Intercoastal Waterway.
A series of tributaries running parallel to the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts.
Where does the ICW run?
The ICW runs from New Jersey to Texas
How are ICW navigation markers different from those in other waterways?
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.
In the ICW, what do the yellow markers inside the regular markers mean?
Yellow markers override the shape or color of the lateral markers they are affixed and indicate the route of the ICW.
In the ICW, what color sign is the yellow square in?
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.
In the ICW, what does a yellow square indicate?
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)
Were is the Western Rivers navigation system used?
In the Mississippi River and its tributaries above Louisiana.
In the Western Rivers navigation system, which signs have odd numbers?
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.
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?
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).
What is a lateral marker?
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.
How should you pass a nun buoy when going upstream?
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.
