Malibu Boats 21 VLX, Owner'S Manual

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2020 Malibu Boats LLC • Owner’s Manual • Page 34
The USWMS Cardinal System is used when there is no well-defined channel or where an obstruction may be
approached from more than one direction. With the cardinal system:
• Pass north or east of BLACK-TOPPED WHITE buoy.
• Pass south or west of RED-TOPPED WHITE buoy.
• RED and WHITE VERTICALLY STRIPED buoy indicates boat should pass outside of the buoy (away from
shore).
FWMS System
The FWMS Lateral System is for use on navigable waters except Western Rivers and Intracoastal 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.
Types of Buoys
There are several types and shapes of buoys. Buoys may be unlighted, lighted, with sound or may have both
an audible and a visual signal. Lights, bells and horns are used on buoys for night or poor visibility conditions.
Different shapes of buoys are shown following.
Buoys with unique light flashing characteristics are identified on nautical charts with the specific flashing
pattern.
Mooring Buoys
The only buoys from which you are permitted to moor are mooring buoys. Mooring buoys are white with a
blue horizontal stripe. Mooring to a navigation buoy, regulatory markers or lateral markers is illegal.
unlighted bell buoy spar buoy nun buoy
lighted buoy can buoy mooring buoy
-(
white with blue
band may show white
reflector or light
)