Cobalt Digital Inc 220, Owner'S Manual

Page: 46 / 104

30
III
N
AVIGATION
C
OBALT
B
OATS
- O
WNER
’
S
M
ANUAL
FWMS
The FWMS Lateral System is for use on navigable waters except Western Rivers and
Intercoastal Waterways.
The markings on these buoys are oriented from the perspective of being entered from
seaward (the boater is going toward the port). This means that red buoys are passed on
the starboard (right) side of the vessel when proceeding from open water into port, and
green buoys to the port (left) side.
The right side (starboard) of the channel is marked with RED, even numbered buoys.
The left (port) side of the channel is marked with GREEN, odd numbered buoys.
The middle of the channel is marked with RED and WHITE vertically striped buoys;
pass close to these buoys.
Obstructions, channel junctions, etc. are marked with RED and GREEN horizontally
striped buoys.
A RED band at the top means the preferred channel is to the left of the buoy; a GREEN
top band means the preferred channel is to the right of the buoy.
Day markers are colored and numbered the same as buoys. RED, triangular day markers
with even numbers mark the starboard side of the channel. GREEN, square day markers
with odd numbers mark the port side of the channel.
Lights, bells and horns are used on buoys for night or poor visibility conditions. Buoys
with unique light flashing characteristics are identified on nautical charts with the
specific flashing pattern.