Lights Fog Signals Buoyage Module Lights Fog Signals

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Module Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage 22/03/99 1

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Range During this lesson we will cover the following: l The IALA buoyage system Region A. l The general & local direction of buoyage. l The characteristics of the different buoys & lights used in this system. l Abbreviations used on charts. 22/03/99 2

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Objectives l l l By the end of this lesson you will be able to: Identify lights, fog signals, and IALA Buoyage System (Region A) by day and night. State the meaning of and identify general light characteristics Use ALLFS to a basic level State the use and limitations of fog signals Determine the meaning of and be able to pass the safe side of IALA Buoyage (Region A) 22/03/99 3

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage IALA l l l International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) Non-governmental body recommends improvements to navigational aids based on the latest technology 22/03/99 4

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage IALA BUOYAGE REGIONS “A” & “B” A A B 1973 IALA met and divided the World into two Buoyage regions - A & B. Regions A & B differ by which side lateral marks are placed. We are interested in Region A B B A A B A B A 22/03/99 A A 5

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage The IALA System l l ù ù ù The system applies to all fixed and floating marks, other than lighthouses and sector lights. It serves to indicate the following: Sides and centrelines of navigational channels Navigational channels under fixed bridges Natural dangers and other obstructions such as dangerous wrecks. Areas in which navigation may be subject to regulation Other features of importance to the Mariner 22/03/99 6

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage IALA Buoyage system A l ù ù ù To meet the requirements of the system five different types of mark are provided. Lateral Cardinal Isolated danger Safe water Special marks 22/03/99 7

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Lateral Marks l l Lateral marks are generally used for well defined channels in conjunction with direction of Buouyage. They indicate the limits of channels on the port and starboard sides Channel DIRECTION OF BUOYAGE 22/03/99 8

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Direction of Buoyage l l Local Direction of Buoyage - The direction taken by the Mariner when approaching a harbour, river, estuary or other waterway from seaward. IALA A & B - entering harbour, port hand buoys on the port side and starboard in the starboard side. Channel DIRECTION OF BUOYAGE 22/03/99 9

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage l l General Direction of Buoyage - The direction determined by the Buoyage authorities, based whenever possible on the principle of following a clockwise direction around continents. At sea around the British Isles its general direction is SW to NE 22/03/99 10

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Starboard Lateral Marks Colour - Green Shape - Cone, pillar or spar Topmark - Single green cone Retroreflector - Green band or triangle Light - (When fitted) May have any Rhythm except 2+1 some examples are given below: 22/03/99 Continuous-quick light Q. G Single-flashing light Fl. G Long-flashing light LFl. G Group-flashing light Fl(2)G 11

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Port Lateral Marks Colour - Red Shape - Can, pillar or spar Topmark - Single Red can Retroreflector - Red band or square Light - May have any Rhythm except (2+1) some examples are given below: 22/03/99 Continuous-quick light Q. R Single-flashing light Fl. R Long-flashing light LFl. R Group-flashing light Fl(2)R 12

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Cardinal Marks NE NW N W POINT OF INTEREST 22/03/99 Note. Topmarks always point towards black band SE SW S E 13

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Cardinal marks are used in conjunction with a compass to indicate where the Mariner may find the best navigable water Pass to the west of the cardinal 22/03/99 14

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage North Cardinal Mark NE NW Colour Top Black Bottom - Yellow Topmark Two black cones points upwards N W Retroreflector Blue over Yellow band POINT OF INTEREST S E Shape Pillar or spar 22/03/99 SE SW Light Colour - White Rhythm - Q or VQ 15

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage East Cardinal Mark Topmark Two black cones points away Colour Top Black Middle - Yellow Bottom - Black Retroreflector Two Blue bands 22/03/99 N W POINT OF INTEREST E S Light Colour - White Rhythm - Q(3) or VQ(3) SE SW Shape Pillar or spar NE NW 16

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage South Cardinal Mark Topmark Two black cones points downwards Colour Top Yellow Bottom - Black N W Retroreflector Yellow over Blue band 22/03/99 E Light Colour - White Rhythm - Q(6)+LF or VQ(6)+LF S SE SW Shape Pillar or spar POINT OF INTEREST NE NW 17

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage West Cardinal Mark Topmark Two black cones points together (W for wineglass) N W POINT OF INTEREST E S 22/03/99 Colour Top Yellow Middle - Black Bottom - Yellow Retroreflector Two Yellow bands Shape Pillar or spar SE SW Light Colour - White Rhythm - Q(9) or VQ(9) NE NW 18

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage To remember the light sequences think of a clock face, the long flash immediately after the group of flashes of a South Cardinal mark ensures that 6 flashes cannot be mistaken for 3 or 9. Q or VQ N 12 Q(9) or VQ(9) Q(3) or VQ(3) W 9 3 E 6 S Q(6)+LFl. or VQ(6)+LFl. 22/03/99 19

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Isolated Danger Marks Colour - Black & Red Shape - Pillar or spar Topmark - Two black spheres Retroreflector - Blue & Red band Light - White, Group-flashing (2) Use - Erected on or moored above isolated dangers which have navigable water all around them Group-flashing light 22/03/99 Fl(2) 20

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Safe Water Mark Colour - Red & White Shape - Spherical, Pillar or spar Topmark - One Red sphere Retroreflector - Red & White bands or Stripes Light - White with the rhythms below Use - To indicate navigable water all round the mark. May be used as a centreline, mid-channel or landfall buoy or the best point to pass under a bridge. Isophase Occulting Long Flash every 10 secs 22/03/99 Morse Code A Iso Oc LFl. 10 s Mo(A)21

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Special Marks Colour - Yellow Shape - Can be any shape Topmark - Yellow cross Retroreflector - Yellow band or cross Light - Yellow, may have any rhythm not used for white lights, some examples below Use - Indicates a special area or feature the nature of which is apparent from reference to the chart. Yellow Flashing light Group-flashing light 22/03/99 Fl. Y Fl(4)Y 22

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage IALA REGION B Lateral Marks 22/03/99 23

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Characteristics of Lights l l l There are four main characteristics to a light RHYTHM COLOUR PERIOD INTENSITY 22/03/99 24

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Characteristics of Lights l RHYTHMS F Fl Q VQ UQ Oc Iso Alt Mo 22/03/99 Fixed Flashing Quick Flashing Very Quick Flashing Ultra Quick Flashing Occulting Isophase Alternating Morse Code On all the time < 50 flashes per min 50 -80 flashes per min 80 -160 flashes per min > 160 flashes per min More light than dark Equal light and dark Different colours Flashes Morse Code characters 25

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Characteristics of Lights COLOURS W White R Red G Green Y Yellow Bu Blue Vi Violet If no colour is listed, the light is WHITE l 22/03/99 26

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Characteristics of Lights l 22/03/99 PERIOD The period of a light is the time taken to complete one full cycle of ON-and-OFF changes. 27

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Characteristics of Lights l PERIOD The period of a light is the time taken to complete one full cycle of ON-and-OFF changes. 15 seconds 22/03/99 28

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Characteristics of Lights l PERIOD The period of a light is the time taken to complete one full cycle of ON-and-OFF changes. 15 seconds 22/03/99 Fl (3) W 15 s 29

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Characteristics of Lights l 22/03/99 INTENSITY A measure of the brightness or power of the light. The standard unit of measurement is candelas. However, on the majority of charts and on all British Admiralty Charts, the Nominal Range of a light is given. 30

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Lights The range of visibility is dependent on: l l l The intensity of the light The prevailing visibility The height of the light combined with the height of eye of the observer. 22/03/99 31

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Lights l The Intensity – 22/03/99 The brighter the light the further it can be seen. 32

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Lights l l l The prevailing visibility The range of a lights given on the chart or in Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals(ALLFS) is based on visibility being 10 nm, this is referred to as the Nominal range. Visibility is rarely exactly 10 nm so the ranges given on Charts are a rough guide. 22/03/99 33

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Lights l l The height of the light combined with the height of eye of the observer The height of the light is also given on the chart or in Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals(ALLFS). 22/03/99 34

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Characteristics of Lights l Geographical Range – 22/03/99 Range of a light taking into account the height of a light and the height of the observer 35

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Characteristics of Lights l Geographical Range – 22/03/99 Range of a light taking into account the height of a light and the height of the observer 36

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Characteristics of Lights l Geographical Range – 22/03/99 Range of a light taking into account the height of a light and the height of the observer. 37

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Chart Symbology FL (4) 20 s 15 m 12 M 22/03/99 38

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Chart Symbology White light Flashing in a group of 4 FL (4) 20 s 15 m 12 M 22/03/99 39

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Chart Symbology White light Flashing in a group of 4 FL (4) 20 s 15 m 12 M Period 4 flashes every 20 second 22/03/99 40

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Chart Symbology White light Flashing in a group of 4 Luminous range 12 Miles FL (4) 20 s 15 m 12 M Period 4 flashes every 20 second 22/03/99 41

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Chart Symbology Elevation 15 metres above M. H. W. S. White light Flashing in a group of 4 Luminous range 12 Miles FL (4) 20 s 15 m 12 M Period 4 flashes every 20 second 22/03/99 42

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Characteristics of Lights l 22/03/99 CHART EXAMPLES 43

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Characteristics of Lights l l 22/03/99 CHART EXAMPLES Fl (6) 30 s 44

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Characteristics of Lights l l CHART EXAMPLES Fl (6) 30 s – A group of 6 white flashes every 30 seconds 22/03/99 45

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Characteristics of Lights l l 22/03/99 CHART EXAMPLES Oc Y 12. 5 s 46

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Characteristics of Lights l l CHART EXAMPLES Oc Y 12. 5 s A Yellow light with one Occultation every 12. 5 seconds 22/03/99 47

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Characteristics of Lights l l 22/03/99 CHART EXAMPLES FG 48

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Characteristics of Lights l l CHART EXAMPLES FG – 22/03/99 A fixed green light 49

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Characteristics of Lights l l 22/03/99 CHART EXAMPLES Iso R 50

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Characteristics of Lights l l CHART EXAMPLES Iso R – 22/03/99 A red light with an equal duration of light and darkness (Isophase) 51

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Characteristics of Lights l 22/03/99 SECTOR LIGHTS 52

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Characteristics of Lights l SECTOR LIGHTS W W R 22/03/99 53

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Fog Signals - LIMITATIONS l l l Heard at greatly varying distances Affected by atmospheric conditions Areas of inaudible sound Fog signals may be unoperable at very short notice No accurate bearing or range information 22/03/99 54

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Fog Signals l l l l 22/03/99 l Abbreviations of fog signals found on charts. Dia Siren Reed Explos Bell Gong Whis Horn 55

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Summary During this lesson we have covered the following: l The IALA buoyage system Region A. l The general & local direction of buoyage. l The characteristics of the different buoys & lights used in this system. l Abbreviations used on charts. 22/03/99 56

Lights, Fog Signals & Buoyage Objectives l l l You should now be able to: Identify lights, fog signals, and IALA Buoyage System (Region A) by day and night. State the meaning of and identify general light characteristics Use ALLFS to a basic level State the use and limitations of fog signals Determine the meaning of and be able to pass the safe side of IALA Buoyage (Region A) 22/03/99 57