MAJOR LIGHTED AIDS

Major lighted aids to navigation may display a main light and may be equipped with a fog signal and/or RACON.

The colour and character of the light are advertised on the nautical chart and in the “List of Lights, Buoys and Fog Signals” publication. The colour of the structure may not have lateral significance. The focal height of the light above water level, in metres (m) or feet (ft), and nominal range, in nautical miles (M), may be indicated on nautical charts. When the colour of the light is not specified for any marine aid to navigation light, it is white.

Fog signal characteristics are advertised on charts and in the “List of Lights, Buoys and Fog Signals”. A RACON (radar beacon) transmits a Morse code pulse that can be seen on a radar display distinguishing it from surrounding radar targets. Information concerning RACONS can be found in “Radio Aids to Marine Navigation”.

MINOR LIGHTED AIDS/SECONDARY LANDFALL AIDS


A minor lighted aid may display characteristics of lateral significance. Consult the “List of Lights” for physical description of these aids.

RANGES


DESCRIPTION
A range consists of two or more fixed navigation marks situated some distance apart and at different elevations. May or may not be lighted. The shapes and colours of the daymarks and the colours and characters of lights are advertised in the “List ofLights”.

USER’S GUIDE
A range provides a leading line for navigators. When both marks are in line the observer is on the recommended track.
Consult the nautical charts for the portion of channel serviced by the range.

NO ANCHORAGE


DESCRIPTION
Black anchor symbol centre on a white background, with a red fluorescent diagonal (top left to bottom right) superimposed over the black anchor and white background.

USER’S GUIDE
Do not anchor within the zone indicated on the chart. Area may contain submerged pipelines, power cables, etc.

SECTOR LIGHTS


DESCRIPTION
A sector light’s beam is divided into sectors of different colours.

USER’S GUIDE
The different coloured sectors provide a warning or a leading line to mariners. Sector colours and boundaries are indicated in the “List of Lights”, and on marine charts.

STANDARD DAYBEACONS CHARACTERISTICS

PORT HAND

Green fluorescent or black square centre on a white background with a green retroreflective border. It may display an odd number made of white retroreflective material.

USER’S GUIDE
When proceeding upstream, must be kept on the vessel’s port (left) side.

PORT BIFURCATION

Green retroreflective square on a white diamond with a red fluorescent border.

USER’S GUIDE
Marks a point where the channel divides and may be passed on either side. If the preferred channel is desired (right), the daybeacon should be kept on the vessel’s port (left) side.

STARBOARD BIFURCATION

Red retroreflective triangle on a white diamond with a red fluorescent border.

USER’S GUIDE
Marks a point where the channel divides and may be passed on either side. If the preferred channel is desired (left), the daybeacon should be kept on the vessel’s starboard (right) side.

STARBOARD HAND

Red fluorescent triangle centre on a white background and with a red retroreflective border. It may display an even number made of white retroreflective material.

USER’S GUIDE
When proceeding upstream, must be kept on the vessel’s starboard (right) side.

English