MODULE 6 - BOATsmart!

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RED RIGHT RETURNING HOW DO I DETERMINE WHICH WAY IS UPSTREAM? What side of a red starboard-hand buoy should you pass on? What about a green port-hand buoy? Doesn’t it depend on which direction you’re travelling? If you encounter a red or green buoy on an open body of water, which way do you go? These are some of the most common questions that boaters have. In fact, many boaters are not certain on which side of a marker buoy they should pass. A simple way to remember is to use the Red Right Returning memory aid: PROCEEDING EDINGG FROM SEAWARD OR UPSTREAM Red Right Returning refers to keeping the Red starboard-hand buoy on the Right side of your vessel when: - Heading upstream - When entering a channel from seaward - When returning upstream to headwaters or to harbour When traveling upstream: - Always keep the red starboard-hand buoy on the right side of your vessel - Always keep the green port-hand buoy on the left side of your vessel When traveling downstream: - Always keep the red starboard-hand buoy on the left side of your vessel - Always keep the green port-hand buoy on the right side of your vessel In order to apply the Red Right Returning Rule you will need to determine which direction is “Upstream” and which direction is “Downstream” - “Upstream” and “Downstream” refers to the direction of the current (i.e. the direction of water flow). Unfortunately, there is no one way to determine the direction of the current. For example, on “land-locked” lakes (i.e. lakes that are not connected by a river, canal system or other waterway) it can be very difficult to determine which direction is upstream and which is downstream. In many places, the direction of the current is determined by consensus or by the tide. On canal systems (such as Ontario’s Trent Severn Canal and Rideau Canal) the current changes direction at specific “high” points on the canal system. For example, from Ottawa, you rise with each lock going “upstream”. However, when you reach the Newboro Locks, you begin heading back “downstream” (even though you are still heading in the same direction). The direction of current can also change where lakes connect to one another. To help you determine the direction of water flow there are several tips to remember: - If you’re entering a channel from seaward (i.e. from the sea) you are considered to be travelling “upstream” - If you’re travelling on a sea channel that runs parallel to the coast, you should consider the “clockwise” direction as if it were “upstream” (i.e. in a Southerly direction along the Atlantic Coast and in a Northerly direction along the Pacific Coast) - Marine charts identify the upstream direction of travel. If you’re operating on a “land-locked” lake or a body of water on which you are unable to determine the direction of water flow, you can refer to a marine chart to identify the upstream direction of travel and the location of waterway hazards. LATERAL SYSTEM NAVIGATION Module 6 I 105
THE CARDINAL SYSTEM 106 I Module 6 The cardinal system The cardinal buoy system consists of yellow and black buoys that are used to assist boaters in identifying the location of safe water. Safe water lies on the North, South, East or West side of the buoys. For example, a North Cardinal Buoy indicates that safe water lies to the North of the buoy. Cardinal buoys may be equipped with a light and/or letters for identification on a marine chart. Remember: With cardinal buoys, safest water lies in the direction indicated by the buoy. Water in the opposite direction should be considered unsafe and avoided. Cardinal markers are spar or pillar shaped (with a flat top). The position of the yellow and black colour bands indicates the cardinal compass point of North, South, East or West and therefore the direction of the safest water. If so equipped, top-marks consisting of two cones indicate the direction of safe water. Specific details on each type of Cardinal Buoy can be found in the “Chart of Buoys” on page 109. CARDINAL BUOYS AND THEIR SIGNAL LIGHTS Cardinal buoys may be equipped with a flashing white light for reference when navigating at night. North flashes once; South flashes in a group six times followed by one long flash; East flashes in a group three times; and West flashes in a group nine times. The chart below depicts the pattern of flashing white light for each type of buoy. West buoys flash at the rate of 9 times in fifteen seconds. A very quick flash can also be used – 9 flashes every ten seconds W EST 0 sec. 15 Q(9)15S 0 sec. -VQ(9)10S OR 10 NW N ORTH S O UT H 0 sec. 5 10 15 (Q)1S OR 0 sec. 5 10 15 -(VQ).5S N 0 sec. 15 (Q(6)+LF1)15S OR 0 sec. 10 (VQ(6)+LF1)10S WHITE LIGHT W E SW South buoys flash at a rate of 6 times in 15 seconds followed by a single long flash. A very quick flash can also be used – 6 flashes every ten seconds plus 1 longer flash at the end of each group to mark the end of a single flash cycle. WHITE LIGHT DANGER WHITE LIGHT S North buoys flash at a rate of 1 per second or 60 per minute. A very quick flash can also be used – 10 flashes every five seconds NE WHITE LIGHT SE E A ST 0 sec. Q(3)10S OR 0 sec. 5 10 15 -VQ(3)5S 10 East buoys flash at the rate of 3 times every ten seconds. A very quick flash can also be used – 3 flashes every five seconds.
Page 1 and 2: MODULE 6 AIDS TO NAVIGATION MARKERS
Page 3 and 4: THE LATERAL SYSTEM 102 I Module 6 T
Page 5: DAY BEACONS 104 I Module 6 DAY BEAC
Page 9 and 10: APPENDIX C - CHART OF BUOYS AND FLA
Page 11 and 12: 110 I Module 6 MODULE 6 SUMMARY In

MODULE 6 - BOATsmart!

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