UNIT 4
NAVIGATION
NAVIGATION AIDS
Navigation aids are means designed
to assist a navigator to determine safe
course or to warn of dangers or
obstructions to navigation.
Navigation aids include lighthouses,
lightships, buoys, beacons etc.
IALA (International Association of
Lighthouse Authorities) endorsed two
buoyage systems in 1977.
Region A (IALA A) covers all of Europe
and most of the rest of the world
whereas region B (IALA B) covers only
the America, Japan, the Philippines and
Korea.
All marks within the IALA system are
distinguished by
shape,
colour,
top mark
light
Identification of navigation aids is
accomplished by observing their
location, shape, colour scheme,
auxiliary features (sound signals,
RACON etc.) and markings (name,
number, etc) during daytime
At night, light is only way of identification
and has three features:
colour,
period
phase characteristic
Phase characteristics are the distinctive
sequences of light and dark intervals in
the variations of the intensity of light.
The common types are fixed, flashing,
quick flashing, very quick flashing,
interrupted quick flashing, isophase,
occulting, alternating, group and long
flashing.
BEACONS
Beacons are fixed aids to navigation
attached to the bottom of the waterway or
ashore.
Lighted beacons are called lights;
unlighted beacons are daybeacons.
LIGHTHOUSES
Lighthouses are major structures with
distinctive colour, light sequences and
sound signals.
Lighthouses help navigators determine
location and warn of potential hazards.
The necessary information about
lighthouses can be found on charts.
LIGHTSHIPS
Lightships are vessels which carry the
entire equipment standard to a lighthouse.
BUOYS
Buoys are floating aids to warn navigators
against potential dangers.
Buoy types are:
Lateral
Cardinal
Isolated danger
Safe water
Special
The location of lateral buoys
defines the borders of channels
and indicates the direction.
Cardinal buoys indicate the safe side
of a danger with an approximate
bearing.
Basic buoy shapes are
can
cone
sphere
pillar
spar.
Buoys can be lighted or unlighted.
The information about buoys can
be found on charts.
ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS
1-What are the purposes of
navigational aids?
2-What are the differences between
lighthouses and lightships?
3-What is the coverage of region B?
4-What are the basic features of
lights?
5-What are the types of buoys?
6- Do lighthouses have sound signals?
7- What are the main buoy shapes?
8-Are buoys and beacons fixed?
SOME WORDS
Cardinal System (n)- The aids are
assigned shape, colour, and number
distinction in accordance with location
relative to obstructions.
Daybeacon (n) - An unlighted fixed
structure equipped with dayboards.
Isophase (adj.)- Referring to a light
having a characteristic of equal intervals
of light and darkness.
Lateral System (n)- A system of aids in
which the shape, colour and number are
assigned in accordance with navigable
waters.
RACON (n)- A device that, on receiving
radar signals, transmits coded signals in
response to help navigators determine
their position
Explain the difference between two
words
a) Coast
b) Shore
a) Radio navigation
b) Satellite navigation
a) Lighthouse
b) Lightship
‘ Means to assist a navigator to
determine safe course or warn of dangers
to navigation’ defines
a. navigation instruments
b. celestial navigation
c. deduced reckoning
d. compasses
e. navigation aids
‘ Means to assist a navigator to
determine safe course or warn of dangers
to navigation’ defines
e. navigation aids
Which is not a mark distinguishing way
in IALA system?
a. shape
b. colour
c. top mark
d. gravity
e. light
Which is not a mark distinguishing way
in IALA system?
d. gravity
Mooring buoy is a …… buoy.
a. lateral
b. cardinal
c. isolated danger
d. safe water
e. special
Mooring buoy is a …… buoy.
e. special
Who endorses the light and buoyage
for navigation?
a. IALA
b. ITU
c. WMO
d. INMARSAT
e. ILO
Who endorses the light and buoyage
for navigation?
a. IALA
