Range daymarks are painted in many
colors. Paired daymarks are painted with
the same colors. Letter markings often distinguish
one range from another. When a
range is lighted, the far light has a longer
interval than the near light. A front range
is one observed ahead of your boat; a back
range is one observed astern.
Mooring Buoys
Mooring buoys are semi-permanent
buoys used to secure boats in harbors and
anchorages. They are white buoys with a
horizontal blue band midway between the
waterline and the top of the buoy. They
may show a white or reflector light.
Isolated Danger Marks
These marks indicate an isolated danger
that may be passed on all sides. They are
erected on or moored on or near dangers;
they should not be approached closely
without special caution(see Table 5-5).
Isolated Danger Marks have a black horizontal
band on top, a red horizontal band
below it.
Special Marks
These aids are not intended to assist in navigation,
but rather to alert the vessel operator
to a special feature or area (anchoring, traffic
separation, fish net area, cable or pipeline,
military exercise areas, jetties). Special
Marks are colored yellow. See Table 5-6.
Intracoastal Waterway
(ICW) Marks
The ICW runs parallel to the Atlantic and
Gulf Coasts from Manasquan Inlet, New
Jersey, to the Mexican border. Aids to navigation
marking the ICW display unique
yellow symbols to distinguish them from
aids marking other waters. For example,
one entering from sea can look for the
unique ICW marks to avoid confusing
them with the entry channel marks.
Inland (State) Waters
Obstruction Mark
State water obstruction mark is used to
indicate to a vessel operator that an obstruction
to navigation extends from the nearest
shore to the buoy. This means “do not pass
between the buoy and the shore.” This aid
is replacing Cardinal System (buoys) within
the Uniform State Waterway Marking System.
Continued on page 70.
68 Chapter Two
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Figure 5-10. Range
Figure 5-11. Range—off course
to starboard