Book Description

The navigable waters of the United States are marked to assist navigation using the U.S. Aids to Navigation System, a system consistent with the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) Maritime Buoyage System. The IALA Maritime Buoyage System is followed by most of the world's maritime nations and improves maritime safety by encouraging conformity in buoyage systems worldwide. IALA buoyage is divided into two regions made up of Region A and Region B. All navigable waters of the United States follow IALA Region B, except U.S. possessions west of the International Date Line and south of 10 north latitude, which follow Region A. Lateral aids to navigation in Region A vary from those located within Region B. Non-lateral aids to navigation in Region A are the same as those used in Region B. Appropriate nautical charts and publications should be consulted to determine whether the Region A or Region B marking schemes are in effect for a given area. Aids to navigation are developed, established, operated, and maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard to accomplish the following: 1. Assist navigators in determining their position, 2. Assist the navigator in determining a safe course, 3. Warn the navigator of dangers and obstructions, 4. Promote the safe and economic movement of commercial vessel traffic, and 5. Promote the safe and efficient movement of military vessel traffic, and cargo of strategic military importance. The U.S. Aids to Navigation System is designed for use with nautical charts. Nautical charts portray the physical features of the marine environment, which include: soundings, landmarks, hazards to navigation, and aids to navigation. To best understand the purpose of a specific aid to navigation, mariners should consult the associated nautical chart, which illustrates the relationship of the aid to navigation to channel limits, obstructions, hazards to navigation, and to the aids to navigation system as a whole. Seasonal aids to navigation are placed into service, withdrawn, or changed at specified times of the year. The dates shown in the Light Lists are approximate and may vary due to adverse weather or other conditions. These aids will be changed on Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC) based on Light List dates and electronic navigation system settings. Mariners should maintain and consult suitable publications and navigation equipment depending on the vessel's requirements. This shipboard navigation equipment is separate from the aids to navigation system, but is often essential to its use. The U.S. Aids to Navigation System is primarily a lateral system, which employs a simple arrangement of colors, shapes, numbers, and light characteristics to mark the limits of navigable routes. This lateral system is supplemented with non-lateral aids to navigation where appropriate. Federal aids to navigation consist of Coast Guard operated aids to navigation. The Coast Guard establishes, maintains, and operates a system of aids to navigation consisting of visual, audible, and electronic signals designed to assist the prudent mariner in the process of navigation.