Aids to Navigation

THE CANADIAN AIDS TO NAVIGATION SYSTEM

LATERAL BUOYS

PORT (GREEN CAN)
Keep this buoy on you port (left) side when proceeding in the upstream direction.

BIFURCATION (RED and GREEN BANDS)
You may pass this buoy on either side when proceeding in the upstream direction, but the main or preferred channel is indicated by the colour of the topmost band. For example: keep this buoy on your starboard (right) side.

PORT(GREEN PILLAR)
Keep this buoy on your port (left) side when proceeding in the upstream direction.

PORT(GREEN SPAR)
Keep this buoy on your port (left) side when proceeding in the upstream direction.

STARBOARD (RED SPAR)
Keep this buoy on your starboard (right) side when proceeding in the upstream direction.

STARBOARD (RED CONICAL)
Keep this buoy on your starboard (right) side when proceeding in the upstream direction.

STARBOARD (RED PILLAR)
Keep this buoy on your starboard (right) side when proceeding in the upstream direction.

FAIRWAY
This buoy indicates safe water, used to mark landfalls, channel entrances or channel centres. It may be passed on either side but should be kept to the port (left) side when proceeding in either direction.

ISOLATED DANGER
An isolated danger buoy is moored on, or above, an isolated danger which has navigable water all around it. Consult the chart for information concerning the danger (dimensional, depth, etc.) May be used to mark natural dangers such as small shoals or obstructions such as wrecks.

STANDARD DAYBEACONS

PORTHAND
When proceeding upstream, a port hand daybeacon must be kept on the vessel's port (left) side.

JUNCTION (PREFERRED CHANNEL to RIGHT)
Marks a point where the channel divides and may be passed on either side. If the preferred channel is desired, the daybeacon should be kept on the vessel's port (left) side.

JUNCTION (PREFERRED CHANNEL to LEFT)
Marks a point where the channel divides and may be passed on either side. If the preferred channel is desired, the daybeacon should be kept on the vessel's starboard (right) side.

STARBOARD HAND
When proceeding upstream, must be kept on the vessel's starboard (right) side.

CARDINAL BUOYS

TOP MARKS

FLASH GROUPS

• Yellow and black
• White lights - flash characters indicated below (if equipped)
• Two conical topmarks direction of points have significance
• Black topmark cones point to the black portions(s) of the buoy
• Lettered - no numbers
• White retroreflective material

NORTH - - - - - - - - EAST - - - - - - - - - SOUTH - - - - - - - WEST

A cardinal buoy indicates that the safest water exists to the direction it indicates. Ex.: a north cardinal buoy indicates that the safest water exists to the north.

SPECIAL BUOYS

DESCRIPTION

• Shapes have no significance.
• May be lettered - no numbers.
• Cautionary, scientific and anchorage buoys may displays a yellow "X" topmark.
• Yellow lights - flash characters (if required).
• Retroreflective material of the same colour as required markings. White buoys will display yellow material.

CAUTIONARY

A cautionary buoy marks dangers such as firing ranges, underwater pipelines, race courses, seaplane bases and areas where no through channel exists.

ANCHORAGE

An anchorage buoy marks the perimeter of designated anchorage areas; consult the chart for water depth.

MOORING

A mooring buoy is used for mooring or securing vessels; be aware that a vessel may be secured to such a buoy.

INFORMATION

An information buoy displays information such as locality, marina, campsite, etc. Be guided by the information illustrated with in the orange square.

HAZARD

A hazard buoy marks random hazards such as shoals and rocks. Information concerning the hazard is illustrated within the orange diamond.

CONTROL

A control buoy indicates speed limits, wash restrictions, etc. Obey the restrictions illustrated within the orange circle.

KEEPOUT

A keep out buoy marks areas in which boats are prohibited.

SCIENTIFIC (ODAS)

An ocean data acquisition system buoy collects meteorological and other scientific data.

DIVING

A diving buoy marks an area where scuba or other such diving activity is in progress. Not normally charted.

SWIMMING

A swimming buoy marks the perimeter of swimming areas. May not be charted.