Starboard side - Port side - AceBoater.com A clear and comprehensive course. Sign Up for Free My Profile Search Starboard side - Port side The sidelights are coloured either red or green. The sidelights determine the priority on the water: the color displayed on the starboard side is green and the red light is on the port side. The sidelights are located in front of the boat. They each displaying a constant beam and affixed in a manner that the light is projected to the front and sides allow you to determine if the oncoming craft is heading towards you or from one side or another. They are used to give a person a visual picture of which side of the vessel they are looking at in darkness or reduced visibility. Depending on the situation they will determine who has the right of way in a meeting or crossing situation. If you see a red running light at night crossing or meeting you most likely are the give-way vessel and do not have the right of way. If you see green you most likely are the stand-on vessel and have the right of way.

IF YOU LIKED THIS PAGE, YOU COULD ALSO LIKE THESE ONES: The Buoyage System -- Canadian Safe Boating Course USA Canadian Safe Boating Course Transport Canada has made changes to the online exam process and study guide. The old Boater Exam boating license course and test was discontinued on April 15th, 2011. Take the NEW Canadian Online Boating Course! The course material below remains as a resource for all who boat on Canadian waters—particularly experienced boaters who already have their Pleasure Craft Operator Card. Chapter 7: The Buoyage System In 1983, Canada adopted the buoyage system, or aids to navigation, used internationally. This system includes port hand buoys, starboard hand buoys, cardinal buoys and special buoys. Aids to Navigation Aids to navigation are devices (buoys) or systems (collision regulations), that are external to the pleasure craft. They are provided to help the operator of a pleasure craft determine position and course. They can additionally warn the operator of dangers or obstructions and advise the operator of the location of the best or preferred route.

Port Hand and Starboard Hand Buoys Port hand buoys are green and starboard hand buoys are red. They show which side of a channel is safest to travel; accordingly, they mark channels or hazards. Generally, green buoys must be passed on the left side of a craft heading upstream, i.e., against the current. Red buoys must be kept on the right side of a craft when proceeding in the upstream direction. A simple rule is red to the right when returning, or the three Rs: red, right, return. In many places, the direction of the current is determined by consensus or by the tide. It is important to be thoroughly familiar with the aids to navigation in your region. Port Hand Buoys Green in colour. They can be shaped as: cans If they do not have a green light they will be flat on top Starboard Hand Buoys Red in colour. They can be shaped as: conical If they do not have a red light they will be conical on top.

Green port hand buoys marks the port (left) side of a channel or the location of a danger and must be kept on the port (left) side of a pleasure craft when proceeding in the upstream direction; it is coloured green; displays identification letter(s) and odd number(s); if it carries a top mark, the top mark is a single green cylinder; if it carries a light, the light is green and is a flashing (FI) 4 s or quick flashing (Q) 1 s; if the buoy does not carry a light, it has a flat top. Red starboard hand buoys Marks the starboard (right) side of a channel or the location of a danger and must be kept on the starboard (right) side of a pleasure craft when proceeding in the upstream direction; is coloured red; displays identification letter(s) and even number(s); if it carries a top mark, the top mark is a single red cone, pointing upward; if it carries a light, the light is red and is a flashing (F1) 4 s or quick flashing (Q) 1 s; if the buoy does not carry a light, it has a pointed top.

Bifurcation buoys You may pass buoys with red and green bands on either side in the upstream direction. The main or preferred channel is shown by the colour of the top band. For example, if a red band is on top, you should keep the buoys on your starboard (right) side. Know that a port hand day beacon is a beacon that marks the port (left) side of a channel or the location of a danger during daylight hours it must be kept on the port (left) side of a pleasure craft when proceeding upstream; it is square with a black or green coloured square centered on a white background with a green reflecting border .. it may display an odd number made of white reflecting material Know that a starboard hand day beacon is a beacon that marks the starboard (right) side of a channel or the location of a danger during daylight hours and must be kept on the starboard (right) side of a pleasure craft when proceeding upstream; it is a red coloured triangle centered on a white background with a red reflecting border; and may display an even number made of white reflecting material Cardinal Buoys There are four types of cardinal buoys: north, south, west and east.

Cardinal buoys are used to indicate the direction of the safest waters. A north cardinal buoy indicates that the deepest or safest water exists to the north of the buoy. The vessel must travel north past the north buoy; in this way, the buoy is between the hazard and the craft. The same principles apply to all of the cardinal buoys. For more details on the hazard indicated by the buoy, a nautical chart must be consulted; the buoyage system is therefore used in tandem with nautical charts. There are two ways to distinguish among cardinal buoys: by colour and by the shape of their conical top marks. The direction of the point indicates the type of cardinal buoy. Accordingly, the cones on a north cardinal buoy point north, and on a south cardinal buoy, point south.

North Cardinal Buoy A north cardinal buoy is located so that the safest water exists to the north of it It is coloured black and yellow The top half is painted black indicating that it is a north buoy...the lower half is painted yellow If this buoy does not carry a light, it will be spar shaped If it carries a top mark...they will both point upwards to indicate north South Cardinal Buoy A south cardinal buoy indicates that the safest water exists to the south of it.

It is coloured black and yellow The black is positioned on the bottom indicating that it is pointing south...the upper portion is painted yellow If this buoy does not carry a light, it will be spar shaped If it carries a top mark...they will both point downward to indicate south East Cardinal Buoy An east cardinal buoy is located to indicate that the safest water exists to the east of it It is coloured black and yellow the black is positioned on the top and the bottom with the yellow portion in the middle to indicate that it is an east buoy If this buoy does not carry a light, it shall be spar shaped If it carries a top mark...they will point in opposite directions to indicate that it is an east buoy West Cardinal Buoy A west cardinal buoy is located to indicate that the safest water exists to the west of it. It is coloured black and yellow The black is positioned in the center to indicate that it is a west buoy...the yellow is positioned top and bottom. If this buoy does not carry a light, it shape be spar shaped If it carries a top mark...they will point in towards each other to indicate that it is a west buoy As with any buoy...when encountered you should refer to your Nautical Charts for specific information.

Light Characteristics of Cardinal Buoys The lights on all cardinal buoys will be white in colour, (if the buoy is so equipped). In order to identify these buoys in darkness or reduced visibility, each one can be distinguished by different light flash characteristics. The flash characteristics are based on the same numbering principle as an ordinary time clock. The number of flashes coincides with the position of the face of the clock. North buoys flash at the rate of 1 per second or 60 per minute. A very quick flash can also be used  10 flashes every 5 seconds. West buoys flash at the rate of 9 times in 15 seconds. A very quick flash can also be used  9 flashes every 10 seconds. East buoys flash at the rate of 3 times every 10 seconds. A very quick flash can also be used  3 flashes every 5 seconds South buoys flash at the rate of 6 times in 15 seconds followed by a single long flash.

A very quick flash can also be used  6 flashes every 10 seconds plus 1 longer flash at the end of each group to mark the end of 1 flash cycle. Special Buoys Finally, special buoys serve a variety of purposes. They are not primarily aids to navigation, but rather provide the boat operator with a host of information. Some are cautionary buoys to mark firing range or seaplane bases, while others gather weather information, locate prohibited areas or mark designated mooring areas. The shape of the special buoys is not significant; they are identified by their symbols, drawings and colours. Cautionary Buoy they mark an area where mariners are to be warned of dangers such as firing ranges, racing courses, seaplane bases, underwater structures or areas where no safe through channel exists and of traffic separations.

they are coloured yellow they display identification letters if it carries a top mark it shall be a single yellow X shape if it carries a light, the light shall be yellow and flash once every 4 seconds Anchorage Buoy it is used to indicate areas which are favourable for overnight anchoring  they are yellow in colour they usually have an anchor symbol clearly visible if it carries a light the light is yellow and it will flash once every 4 seconds. Mooring Buoy used to moor or secure vessels it is the ONLY buoy that you may legally tie your vessel to usually found in designated anchorage areas when in reduced visibility, be aware that other vessels may be present and tied up Control Buoy it is used to mark an area where boating is restricted it is coloured white it has an orange, open-faced circle on two opposite sides and two orange horizontal bands, one above and one below the circle a black figure or symbol inside the orange circle indicates the nature of the restriction.

if it carries a light is shall be yellow and flash once every 4 seconds Hazard Buoy it is a buoy which marks random hazards such as rocks and shoals it is white in colour it has an orange diamond on two opposite sides and two orange horizontal bands, one above and one below the diamond symbols if it carries a light the light is yellow and flashes once every 4 seconds Information Buoy it displays information of interest to boaters. The message can either be displayed using lettering or symbols. it is white in colour it can be distinguished by the orange open-faced square symbol on opposite sides and the two horizontal bands, one above and one below the square. if it carries a light it shall be yellow and it will flash once every 4 seconds Swimming Buoy it is used to mark the perimeter of a swimming area it is white in colour if it carries a light, the light is yellow and it will flash once every 4 seconds.

Diving Buoy it is used to mark an area where scuba or other such diving activity is in progress it is coloured white and it carries a red flag not less than 50 centimetres square with a white diagonal stripe extending from the tip of the hoist to the bottom of the fly if it carries a light the light shall be yellow and flash once every 4 seconds Particular care must be taken when boating in waters where there are divers. A vessel engaged in diving must display a blue and white flag (International Code A Flag, see left). A red and white flag carried on a buoy is used to mark areas where diving is in progress, although divers may stray from the boundaries of the marked areas. Be sure you know what the ‘diver down’ flags look like. If you see either flag, keep well clear of the vessel and diving site, and move at slow speed. Keep Out Buoy A keep out buoy marks an area in which boats are prohibited it is white in colour it has an orange diamond containing an orange cross on two opposite sides and two orange horizontal bands...one above and one below the diamond symbols if it carries a light the light is yellow...flashing once every 4 seconds.

Scientific Buoys (O.D.A.S.) An ocean data acquisition system buoy collects meteorological and other scientific data Fairway Buoy usually found at the entrances to channels or used to mark the center of a channel it may be passed on either side but should be kept on the port (left) side of your vessel when proceeding in either direction Isolated Danger Buoy it is used to mark an isolated hazard in waters which are otherwise navigable. it is usually moored directly on or above the danger it is used to mark a large rock, shoal or sunken ship In addition to the above mentioned special buoys, you could also encounter posted command signs or warning signs. These can be used to relay a host of information or provide warnings of impending danger. Some of these are: no wake zones low head dam hazard signs overhead or underwater power line hazard signs pipe line hazards signs It cannot be stressed enough that every time you encounter a sign or buoy you should reference your nautical charts to ensure that you correctly interpret the information. The Nautical Chart The Different Types of Chart A simple visit to a map store will quickly convince you of the vast range of products available.

Outdoor enthusiasts can find topographical maps for mountain excursions, or guide maps to lakes and rivers to plan their canoe expeditions. Naturally, travelers can plan their trips with a land, tourist or road map, and farmers can see the boundaries of their fields on a farm map. For boaters, the nautical chart is vital tool. Main Features of a Nautical Chart Nautical charts provide information on waterways. They give useful information to boaters, especially on water depth, the type of bottom, the type of shoreline, current direction, coastal altitude, easily identifiable landmarks and aids to navigation. The Canadian Hydrographic Service publishes all nautical charts. For pleasure craft, large scale maps (i.e., covering a small portion of the region) are often the most useful because of all the detail they contain. To know which regional chart is most appropriate for your activity, consult the Nautical Chart Catalogue. This catalogue is a large map showing the area covered by each available chart. For information on how to obtain charts, contact the Canadian Hydrographic Service. Importance of the Nautical Chart to Boaters Charts provide a host of information to boaters that only detailed knowledge and experience of the waterway could replace.

Using a nautical chart makes the boaters task in a rescue situation easier in many ways. It: identifies a launch site shows the best route in light of currents, rapids, obstacles, etc. shows the location of waterway allows for an assessment of distances shows location on the water. On receiving a distress call, the time may not seem right to carefully study a nautical chart. However, if the chart is available, the knowledge gained could mean the difference between locating and successfully helping out at a water accident or a tragedy. Topographical maps are maps of the land areas depicting natural and artificial features of the land, including elevation contours, shoreline, rocks, land features above water, and cultural features: They are intended primarily for the use of the general public on the land; They are published by Natural Resources Canada and some provincial authorities; 3 They are sometimes used when navigational maps (charts) are not available, but they usually do not depict: underwater hazards, marine aids to navigation, channels, anchorage areas etc. Other Navigation Aids A magnetic compass can be used to help the operator of a pleasure craft find directions. It must be remembered however that a magnetic compass is influenced by the proximity of metallic and/or electrical devices.

In order to avoid false information, make certain that the compass is mounted in an area free of magnetic and electrical interference. Boating Definitions and Mnemonics A Small Boat Guide to the RULES OF THE ROAD by John Mellor and was submitted by Alistair Barclay. An alternative, invented by myself, is Red over White over Red / Rudder Might be Dead. This rhymes, but isn't quite accurate (a vessel with a truly dead rudder is Not Under Command, Red over Red). Stern Lights Boats can also show stern lights to help identify them. These are only visible when you are behind the boat. Some stern light combinations include: Yellow over Yellow A pushy inland fellow This refers to the stern lights of a tug pushing a barge, under the inland rules only. Improved by Rod McFadden. Yellow over White My towline is tight This refers to the stern lights of a tug towing astern. (Improved by Jim Woodward.) Control Lights Lights are also used to control passage through bridges and locks. So far, I only have information for the European lock system, submitted by Ray Battersby. More will be added as time and knowledge permit.

European (International) Harbor Traffic Control Signal Lights This entire section was written and submitted by Ray Battersby. Traffic-Light control signals are commonplace at the entrances to European ports. These are generally of the form, Red, White (Yellow) and Green, vertically arranged and often with other lamps in parallel. Because of the need to identify inbound and outbound traffic, they don't use a simple Red = Stop, White (yellow) = Prepare to Move and Green = Go (as for road traffic - that would be too simple and too easy to remember!) but a combination. However, by studying the Silk Cut Almanac, I have found that the following rules apply: If the top lamp is showing RED irrespective of any other lamp that may be shining, you must STOP and wait for the lights signals to change. If the bottom lamp is shining GREEN irrespective of any other lamp that may be showing, then you can GO. If the middle lamp is showing WHITE (sometimes YELLOW), you must call Harbor Control on VHF to ask permission before making a move.

NOTE: Although the above matches the official interpretation in terms of your own rights of passage, using this abbreviated interpretation, a sharp lookout for other shipping movements (especially from the opposite direction and from astern) is strongly advised. Buoyage There are two buoyage systems used in the world, named "A" and "B". Buoyage system "A" is used in Europe, Asia, and Australia, with the exception of Japan, Korea, and the Philippines. System "B" is used elsewhere, notably including all of the Americas. The two systems use opposite color codes. In both systems, the buoys also have coded shapes, called cans and nuns. A can is a simple cylinder, like an oil can. A nun is conical, with the name being reminiscent of the pointed hats worn by some orders of nuns. In both systems, cans appear on the left when returning from sea to port, nuns on the right. Buoyage Numbering In both systems, green buoys are given odd numbers and red buoys are even. The numbering starts at "1" at the mouth of the harbor or river, and increases from there. The following two mnemonics, submitted by David H.

Shaffer, may help remember the numbering scheme in the IALA "B" system: Demods Buoy numbers DEcrease MOving DownStream. You'll never see a nun 69 Nun (cone-shaped) buoys always have an even number. Buoyage System "A" The mnemonics given below are for buoyage system "A." Be sure to learn the right mnemonics for your area! Barrels to Port In IALA "A," red-colored buoys are cans, which are shaped like barrels. A sailor returning from a long trip looks forward to a barrel of port, so when coming into port, keep your port side closest to the red barrel and you will be on the way to the nearest tavern. This was invented by Alistair Barclay; many thanks to him for submitting it. Bleeding Heart In IALA "A," red-colored buoys are kept to the side of your heart (left) when returning to port. This was suggested on Yacht-L by Matthijs van Couwelaar. Buoyage System "B" The mnemonics given below are for buoyage system "B." Be sure to learn the right mnemonics for your area!

Red Right Returning In IALA "B," red-colored buoys are nuns, which are kept to the right ( starboard ) side of the boat when returning from the ocean to port. There is a detailed convention for defining exactly what "returning" means in ambiguous situations (i.e., on canals and rivers), which will not be repeated here. Green Going Out The complement to "Red right returning," indicating that green buoys are left to starboard when you are heading out to sea. Suggested by Paul Atterton. Even Red Left Port (Suggested by Peter W. Meek, improved by Jeremiah V. Donovan and Kathy Spahn). The image is of a day so perfect that even the old red-headed sailor left his rocking chair to go to sea, where he belongs (not that boring old port). This mnemonic has the advantage that it also serves for the colors of running lights, for remembering that port is the left side of the boat, and for recalling that red markers are even-numbered. Sound Signals There are many sound signals used in situations of limited visibility (i.e., fog), and when two ships need to agree on the maneuvers necessary to avoid collisions (see the right-of-way rules below).

Most of these signals are quite hard to remember, and there didn't seem to be any mnemonics for them, so I invented some to help me out. For collision avoidance, there are two systems. On inland waterways, intention/agreement signals are used. On international (offshore) waters, actual rudder actions are signaled. Fortunately, although at first glance the two systems differ, both actually use the same effective meanings for signals. So all you have to remember is that on an inland waterway, if somebody toots at you, you need to agree by repeating the same pattern back at them, and if you toot, don't change course until you get agreement. If you disagree, give the danger signal . Inland uses intention/agreement, offshore signals rudder operations. In sound signals, a short blast has a duration of about 1 second; a prolonged blast is 4-6 seconds. When you are approaching another boat head-on (more or less), the first two mnemonics below give the same information: turning to port will cause the other boat to pass on your starboard side.

This simplifies things: since both mnemonics refer to a double blast, you can just memorize that fact, and know that the other direction is the single-blast case. Note: If you are exactly head-on, or very nearly so, the COLREGS prefer that you turn to starboard (single blast). Port Rudder Action Blast twice short, Turn to port Leaving a Boat on Your Starboard Side Double blast, Starboard pass A double blast always means that you are turning (COLREGS) or will turn (inland waters) to port. This means that you will pass the other boat on your starboard side. Backing Down Three in turn, Power astern This indicates a boat that is slowing or stopping to avoid risk of collision. Danger Signal Blast quick five To stay alive This is the danger signal, to be given if you think there is confusion or imminent danger of a collision. Navigational Formulas Navigation often requires relatively complicated arithmetic. The most common is compass corrections: converting between true directions and a compass reading. Timid Virgins Make Dull Company at Weddings (Or "Add Whiskey.") This is the formula for converting true directions or courses to compass readings: True plus Variation equals Magnetic heading.

Beyond that, add the Deviation to get the Compass heading. In all of these corrections, "at weddings" means Add Westerly variations and deviations as part of the calculation (and, by implication, subtract easterly ones). There are a number of minor variations on this mnemonic, but the differences aren't important. (Before you call me or anyone else sexist, note that virgins can be of either sex. If you think virgins make perfectly fine company, please remember that it's just a memory aid, not a politico-religious philosophy. In any case, I'm just quoting other people. Don't send me flames. Sheesh!) Can Dead Men Vote Twice at Elections? This is the formula for converting compass headings back to true ones: Compass plus Deviation equals Magnetic heading. Beyond that, add the Variation to get the True heading. In all of these corrections, "at elections" means Add Easterly deviations and variations as part of the calculation (and, by implication, subtract westerly ones).

Charter Boaters Detest Returning This refers to the common mnemonic for predicting a collision: CBDR, for "Constant Bearing, Decreasing Range." If the bearing to another vessel does not change, and the range is getting less, you are going to bump. Note that this refers to the true or magnetic bearing, not the relative value. Submitted by Steven Hodgson. Right-of-Way Rules The rules for who has the right of way are complex. The basic rule, of course, is General Responsibility: notwithstanding any other rule, you're not supposed to run into other people or things. That ought to be obvious. For recreational boaters, a commonly-observed practical corollary is "tonnage has the right of way": stay out of the way of big boats, because even if you're technically right, you're going to be the loser in a collision. Nevertheless, there are rules about who goes first, and you ought to know them. Since they're complex and lengthy, I invented a mnemonic to help recall them. (Note: I've tried to summarize the essence of the COLREGS here. If you think I've gotten things wrong, you're welcome to e-mail me and set me straight.

I'll appreciate it if you do, and I'll correct this Web page as soon as possible after I'm corrected.) However, note that this mnemonic is a simplification of the rules. I'm not trying to codify every word of the COLREGS, I'm just trying to help you remember the most important points. Please don't nitpick. On second thought, please do nitpick, because I care a lot about details, but please don't get upset if your particular nit never makes it into this Web page. The mnemonic below doesn't cover the situation where two similar boats are approaching (nearly) head-on. In that case, it is preferred that you alter course to starboard , so that you pass port-to-port (red to red, so that both are the give-way vessel; thanks to Paul Atterton for pointing this out). "Stay to the right and you'll be right," but the general-responsibility rule still overrides everything else. This mnemonic gives the "order of priority," with the most important first. To use it, find yourself and the other boat on the list. The boat which comes first has the right of way, and is the stand-on vessel.

If you both fall in the same category, then either the category itself tells you what to do (e.g., sailboats beat powerboats), or you must continue down the list. The mnemonic is "Generally, anchoring our red tugboat diligently minimizes surge loads." It is interpreted as follows: Generally, General responsibility. Above all else, don't have a collision. "I had the right of way" isn't a defense if there was something you could have done to avoid the other boat. anchoring Anchored. Anchored, stopped, or moored boats must be avoided by all other vessels. our Overtaken. Boats being overtaken have the right of way over the overtaking vessel. (This is true even if the slower boat is power and the faster boat is sail.) red Restricted maneuverability. Boats with restricted maneuverability, whether due to fishing, draft, length, towing, or other causes, have the right of way over vessels not so restricted. tugboat Traffic separation. Vessels participating in a traffic-separation scheme have the right of way over non-participating vessels. (If you must cross a traffic lane, try to do so at right angles.) diligently Downriver.

On certain inland waters, powerboats proceeding downriver have the right of way over upriver and crossing vessels. minimizes Man-powered beats sail beats motorboat beats seaplane. Human-powered boats (canoes and rowboats) have the right of way over sailboats, which in turn have the right of way over powerboats, and even they have the right of way over seaplanes. I think of this in terms of increasing technological sophistication: the fancier your equipment, the fewer rights you have (sort of a class reversal). This is an important one for sailors, of course, but note that there are a number of situations listed above where sailors must still give way. surge Starboard boat or starboard tack wins. This actually represents two rules, depending on whether the meeting boats are both sail or both power. (If one is sail and one is power, the rule above applies.) For power boats, the boat approaching from starboard has the right of way. For sailboats, the boat that is on starboard tack has the right of way, regardless of from where it is approaching. loads. Leeward boat wins.

When two sailboats meet on the same tack, the leeward boat has the right of way over the windward boat. Alistair Barclay sent me a different mnemonic, taken from A Small Boat Guide to the RULES OF THE ROAD by John Mellor: The mnemonic is "Nuclear restrictions constrain fishing and sailing, people say." It is interpreted as follows: Nuclear Not Under Command. ("NUC" for "nuclear"). A vessel that is "not under command" in the technical sense has the right of way. This refers to anchored or unoccupied vessels as well as those that have lost the ability to maneuver (e.g., through loss of power or their rudder). restrictions Restricted maneuverability. Boats with restricted maneuverability, whether due to fishing, draft, length, towing, or other causes, have the right of way over vessels not so restricted. (Note: Rod McFadden has pointed out that while it makes sense for NUC boats to have the right of way over those with restricted ability to maneuver, this is not explicitly mentioned in the COLREGS.

He comments, "I've been unable to find any case where a NUC/RAM collision occurred; it's safe to say that if such a collision ever does occur, the Admiralty Bar will dine well for quite some time!") constrain Constrained by draft. Boats constrained to a narrow channel by their draft have the right of way. (This is really a special case of restricted maneuverability). fishing and Fishing vessels. Vessels engaged in fishing (this means towing nets, etc., not people with a pole off the back end) have the right of way. (Again, this is a special case of restricted maneuverability). sailing Seaplanes. Seaplanes must avoid everybody else. Weather There are lots of weather mnemonics to help you predict and analyze the weather. Unfortunately, my best source at the moment is copyrighted ( Reed's Nautical Companion , which I highly recommend anyway, though I must admit a slight bias because the people there have been very nice to me). So I'm limited at the moment to a few things that I can be sure are in the public domain. I'll expand this as I can.

WARNING: Remember that most of these weather rhymes are rules of thumb, collected over the centuries before we had supercomputers to help with weather foreguessing (oops, forecasting). They are useful guides, but as in all areas of weather, there are no certainties. Don't complain to me if they are less than 100% accurate. When the wind is at your back, the low is on your left. A formula for finding the center of a weather system. This works only for the Northern Hemisphere; in the South, it's reversed. Combined with a feeling for the direction weather moves, you can use this to make forecasts. Submitted by David H. Shaffer. Red sky at morning, Sailors take warning. Red sky at night, Sailor's delight. One of many classics. I learned this when I was a kid. I don't recall the mechanisms that make it true, but a colorful dawn means bad weather, while a colorful sunset means that tomorrow will probably be great sailing. Here's to red sunsets! Reading the Color of the Bottom Ways to guess the depth, based on water color. This is useful in the Caribbean, among other places. The mnemonic goes from shallowest to deepest.

It was provided by Steve Hodgson. Brown brown, run aground, White white, you might, Green green, nice and clean, Blue blue, run right through. Chart Scale I don't think anybody has any trouble picking a chart of the appropriate scale out of a pile, since it's pretty obvious whether it covers just a harbor or the whole ocean. But a lot of us have trouble with naming the damned things. Here's a helpful mnemonic which I picked up from The Practical Pilot by Leonard Eyges: Small scale, small detail; large scale, large detail. So a large-scale chart is the one you'd ask for if you needed to enter a harbor. By the way, The Practical Pilot is the best book I've ever read on the subject of pleasure-boat navigation. Where Dutton's has advice on steering a battleship or tanker through a narrow channel (fascinating, but not something I ever expect to do), Eyges shows you how to tell whether that's one island or two on the horizon. My favorite coastal-navigation book! Boat Parts The most basic terms in boating are those used to describe parts and directions on the boat. Most of these don't have or need mnemonics.

(Do you really want to learn 50-odd different little rhymes just so you remember that the back of the boat is called the stern ?) But a few have some handy mnemonics. General Boat Parts Port The left-hand side of the boat when facing forward . Many people remember that "port and left both have four letters." Others use the mnemonic "I wonder if there's any red port wine left," which (as Rich Arimoto points out) is nice because it gets the color of the light into the mnemonic. A third option, suggested by Peter W. Meek, is Red Left Port. The image is of a red-headed sailor going to sea, where he belongs (not some nasty old port). This mnemonic has the advantage that it also serves for remembering the colors of running lights and the codes for buoyage system "B". The name "port" derives from the fact that steering was originally done from the right-hand side of the boat (see starboard , so the other side was put to the dock or "port". Starboard The right-hand side of the boat when facing forward . The easiest way to remember this is to learn where port is, and then recall that starboard is the opposite of port.

Incidentally, the word starboard comes from steerboard, because originally the rudder was just a board held on the side of the boat, and most steersmen were right-handed. Forward The aft end of the boat, usually the blunt end. Shackle A handy device for connecting things together. There are many types, but most consist of a "U" of metal, together with a removable metal piece that closes the top of the "U" to make an "O". You pull out the moving part, stick it through or around something, and fasten the whole thing together to make it hold. Often used to attach sails to things and things to sails. Sailboat Parts Boom A spar used to give shape to the bottom of any sail. If you don't watch out, it'll hit you in the head, and you'll hear a loud boom. Tack The forwardmost, lowest part of a triangular sail. Just remember that the tack is where the sail is tacked (attached) to the boat, usually by some sort of shackle . Not to be confused with the other meaning of the word, which has to do with the relationship of the sailboat to the wind.

Clew The aftmost, lowest part of a triangular sail. Expert sailors make all sorts of adjustments to a sail, but beginners can adjust the clew to catch the wind even if they don't have a clue about the finer points of sail trim. Luff The leading (forward) part of a sail, the part closest to the wind. If you adjust the sail improperly, it will flap, which is called luffing, and the luff is the part which luffs first. (Got that?) Leech The trailing (aft) part of a sail, the part where the wind exits. When the sail is adjusted properly, the wind will cling to the aft edge like a leech. Andy Oliver also points out that "leech" is a corruption of "lee edge" (say it fast). Spar Any structural member that supports a sail or helps to maintain a sail's shape (e.g., the mast or the boom ). Mast A vertical spar . Most modern sailboats have a single mast which supports two sails, but many boats have two or more masts. Powerboat Parts Do powerboats have parts? :-) These mnemonics were compiled, organized, and occasionally invented by Geoff Kuenning .

If you have additions, or if you would like me to try to invent a mnemonic for a particular situation, please send me e-mail about it. Copyright 1996, 1997 Geoff Kuenning. All rights reserved. Mnemonics not marked "original" are not covered by this copyright, although the descriptions of such mnemonics are still covered. Permission is granted to reproduce and/or disseminate this material in any form when used for non-profit or educational purposes, so long as authorship is properly credited and this copyright notice is maintained intact. Other Links for Learning About Boating The following links lead to Web sites and commercial products that are designed to help people learn about boating. I will only list sites and products here that I personally believe are useful. The decision on whether to list rests with me entirely, and is not conditional on payment or on whether the listed site chooses to list me. In other words, you can't buy a listing here, although I'm always happy to receive a pointer if you think I might be interested in what you have (but don't phrase it like an advertisement, or I'll think it's just spam and ignore it).

If you want to learn to tie basic knots , there is no better site than this one, which has animated color GIFs that show you exactly how the two lines intertwine. Diederik Willemsen offers a free online coastal-navigation course that also has some useful (for planning, not for navigation) charts of Greece. You are visitor number Navigation Lights - BoatSafe.com Check Your Navigation Lights Will You Be Seen In Time? Operating at night (or in reduced visibility) can present some special challenges. Not only is your depth perception lessened, bright lights on the shore can cast misleading reflections on the water and if you wear glasses, or worse yet bifocals, you simply don't see as well at night as you do during the day. It is not only important that you be able to identify other vessels operating in your proximity, it is equally important that other vessels see you.Most recreational vessels are less than 30 feet in length and, according to the Rules of the Road, shall be equipped with navigation lights. These lights not only have a certain arc through which they can be seen but must be seen from a minimum distance. The following lighting requirements are for recreational vessels less than 12 meters in length.

(approximately 39.4') Light White 2 The arc of the lights and color allows you to determine the direction a vessel is moving. How good are your lights? You should test them to see how visible you might be at night. Whether on a trailer or at the marina, switch on your lights and see how well they can be seen. Walk away from the boat or row away, if you are at anchor or at a mooring, and see how visible the lights are as you move further away. How easy are they to see against the background of lights on shore? Does your stern light shine dead astern over the required 135º arc or does it shine to one side or up or down. Can it be seen from the required 2 miles and why is that important? As an example, let's say that your stern light for some reason can only be seen for 1/2 mile. You are underway at 8 knots and a large ship is approaching at 15 knots. The ship is only 4 minutes away from collision with you. By the time the ship "might" see you, identify the light and decide on the reaction that should be taken, it is too late.

A ship traveling at 15 knots may take miles to stop. Look at the stern light again, as you move from the stern toward the bow, does the stern light "disappear" as the sidelight "appears"? The stern light should disappear and sidelight appear at 22.5º abaft the beam. If you don't see the green starboard sidelight or the red port sidelight when the stern light disappears there is a problem with the arc of one or all these lights. This means that if another boat were approaching you at the angle where no lights are seen there is increase risk of collision. If both the sternlight and sidelights are seen brightly at the same time you still have a problem. A vessel approaching won't know whether they are overtaking or crossing and whether they should give-way or stand-on. You should also check to make sure that your masthead light disappears at the same time each sidelight disappears and they both disappear when the stern light appears. Check your sidelights from dead ahead. You should see both red and green. However, by moving toward one side just 1-3º you should then see only one light.

If you still see two lights, an approaching vessel won't be able to tell which direction your are going. It is very important to be seen from a distance but also for an approaching vessel to be able to determine your direction of travel. When boating at night remember the following: "When two lights you see ahead, turn your helm and show your red". What do port and starboard colors mean in nautical terms? - Quora Quora Written Mar 27, 2016 Port is always shown as red. Starboard is always shown as green. When you break down the COLREGS (international regulations for preventing collisions at sea) to a simple view of when vessels meet in a crossing situation (approaching at some angle to one another where there may be a collision) one vessel is the 'give way' vessel which means they must maneuver to avoid a collision with the other, which is the 'stand on' vessel.

All things being held equal for the situation of two vessels crossing each other perpendicularly (or any angle) where no other factors come into play such as one vessel being restricted in it's ability to maneuver, towing, limited where they can be due to water depth, etc then a easy way to remember who has right of way is by looking at which light (red/port or green/starboard) is seen. If you see a green light/starboard side then you're probably the stand on or right of way vessel (green means go). If red/port side of the vessel is what you see then you are probably the give way or one who needs to yield (red means danger). All of that said, every situation is different and unique and all parties must act to avoid collisions at all costs, regardless of if they were the stand in or give way vessel. Wikipedia has a nice summary of this stuff here( ). The story I have heard about the colors is: Port wine is a red wine, which is traditionally passed around the dinner table to the left of each person after the meal but I am not sure about the original Of green for starboard.

Another quick read to explain more on this topic of naming as well: Identifying Aids to Navigation - BoatSafe.com Identifying Aids to Navigation You are fishing offshore when you hear storm warnings on your radio. You decide to head for the nearest inlet. You encounter the following buoys in the following order. What do they mean and what should you do? This maker indicates a mid-channel or safe water mark. This will usually be the first marker you see returning from sea. It will not have a number and may be lettered. It may be lighted or unlighted and may have an associated sound. The light (if lighted) will be white and will flash the Mo (A) sequence. (Morse Code Alpha). You may pass to either side of the marker. This represents the next set of markers you might see when returning from sea. You should pass between them leaving the red marker on your starboard side. Remember "RED RIGHT RETURNING". The red "Nun" starboard side markers are even-numbered and, if lighted, have red lights. The green "Can" port side markers are odd numbered and, if lighted, have green lights.

This is a preferred channel or junction marker and indicates a bi-furcation in the channel. To navigate the preferred or primary channel, you should treat the marker as if it had all the characteristics of the color of the top band. If the top band is red, such as the one shown above, you would treat it as a red, starboard side marker (leave it on your right) to access the primary channel. If the top band is green, you would treat it as a port side marker to access the primary channel. If lighted, the marker would have a light the same color as the top band. This is where it gets a little tricky. The yellow triangle and yellow square are dual purpose marks where the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) and other waterways coincide. Now what? As to the question itself, you would first note that the yellow squares and yellow triangles indicate dual-purpose marking or an area in which the normal channel returning from sea crosses the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). Question 1: Between which markers and in which direction (right or left) would you turn to follow the ICW going north?

To enter the ICW in a northerly direction you would turn starboard (right) between red marker #4 with the yellow square and red marker #6. Question 2: Between which markers and in which direction (right or left) would you turn to follow the ICW going South? To enter the ICW in a southerly direction you would turn port (left) between green marker # 3 and green marker #5 with the yellow triangle. Question 3: How do you know which direction to turn to go north or south? The ICW is a special waterway which runs from New Jersey to Texas. Traveling from New Jersey to Texas is considered returning so you would have Red Right Returning when going "generally" south, or from NJ to TX regardless of compass setting. Now, remember those dual purpose yellow markers? (The yellow triangle represents a red nun buoy and the yellow square represents a green can buoy.) These are found, on the ICW, in areas where other waterways connect with or cross the ICW. When operating in the ICW, take note of the yellow triangles and yellow squares and treat them as the buoys they represent no matter what the color of the buoy they are on.

Representation for illustrative purposes only Another way to remember this is to think of the ICW (the blue line) as a ditch just inland of the waters surrounding the US from New Jersey to Texas. You would always keep the yellow triangles or red markers on the land side and the yellow squares or green markers on the "green" ocean/Gulf side. Related Articles:

Question: What colour light indicates the starboard side of a boat?
Answer: Green