Aids to Navigation
Aids To Navigation (ATON) :
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Along your way you may be able to find
several types of navigation aids to assist you in avoiding dangers and
shoals along with helping you to determine your position.
Navigation aids use color, shape and sound to assist in navigation. There are many types of ATONs. Two examples of these are buoys which float and are anchored to the bottom
and daymarks which are often on posts implanted into the bottom.
Below are four categories of navigational aids.
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IALA-B
System: This is the system of marks which are found in
the United States.
In this system, red passes on the starboard side as one goes up
channel or into port (Red Right Returning).
View Charts and Pictures of Marks
(Click here for info on the IALA-A System)
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Cardinal
Marks: These marks denote the
direction of of safe water and danger as related to the quadrants of
the compass and true north. These marks can be found anywhere in
the world.
View Charts and Pictures of Marks
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Lighthouses:
These are fixed tall structures which project a
light for a relatively great distance.Characteristics of the
lighthouse's light include: frequency, rhythm, duration and
color. View Lighthouses
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Special
Marks and Ranges: There are a variety of
special marks which can be found around the
world. These marks may be used to denote dangers, safe water, separation zones,
etc. Ranges are special marks which help in maintaining the
proper course in a narrow channel. View Charts and Pictures of Marks
For more information on Aids to Navigation (ATON) view the
USCG Powerpoint Presentation-HTML
USCG Powerpoint Presentation-PowerPoint
Chart symbols are contained in a publication
"Chart No.1 Nautical Chart Symbols Abbreviations and Terms."
You may order this publication from NOAA or view it online in PDF format: To view publication
click on the screen button to the right.
