Buoy definition South Lake Tahoe City Homewood

The definition of a buoy in south lake Tahoe city Homewood is that a buoy is a floating object that is used to show ships and boats where they can go and warn them of danger.

An anchored float serving as a navigation mark, to show reefs or other hazards, or for mooring. That is the definition of Oxford Dictionaries language matters.

Another definition about buoys is a floating object on the top of the sea, used for directing ships and warning them of possible danger, it says Cambridge Dictionary.

Types of Buoy you can see in South Lake Tahoe City Homewood

Seamark: aids pilotage by marking a maritime channel, hazard and administrative area to allow boats and ships to navigate safely in South Lake Tahoe City Homewood. Some navigational buoys are fitted with a bell or gong, which sounds when waves move the buoy

Lifebuoy: used as a lifesaving buoy designed to be thrown to a person in the water to provide buoyancy. Usually, has a connecting line allowing the casualty to be pulled to the rescuer

Submarine communication buoys: used for release in case of emergencies or for communication

Son buoy: used by anti-submarine warfare aircraft to detect submarines by SONAR

Surface marker buoy: taken on dives by scuba divers to mark their position underwater

Decompression buoy: deployed by submerged scuba divers to mark their position underwater whilst doing decompression stops

Shot buoy: used to mark dive sites for the boat safety cover of scuba divers so that the divers can descend to the dive site more easily in conditions of low visibility or tidal currents and more safely do decompression stops on their ascent.

Safe water mark or Fairway Buoy: a navigational buoy which marks the entrance to a channel or a nearby landfall. These kinds of Buoy are common in South Lake Tahoe City Homewood.

Emergency Wreck Buoys: Emergency Wreck Buoys provide a clear and unambiguous means of marking new wrecks. This buoy is used as a temporary response, typically for the first 24 – 72 hours. This buoy is colored in an equal number of blue and yellow vertical stripes and is fitted with an alternating blue and yellow flashing light.

Lateral marker buoys in South Lake Tahoe City Homewood

Mooring buoys: used to keep one end of a mooring cable or chain on the water’s surface so that ships or boats can tie onto it. in South Lake Tahoe there are many mooring buoys.

Tripping buoys: used to keep one end of a ‘tripping line’ on the water’s surface so that a stuck anchor can more easily be freed

Weather buoys: equipped to measure weather parameters such as air temperature, barometric pressure, wind speed and direction and to report these data via satellite radio links such as the purpose-built Argos System or commercial satellite phone networks to meteorological centers for use in forecasting and climate study. Maybe anchored (moored buoys) or allowed to drift (drifting buoys) in the open ocean currents. The position is calculated by the satellite.

Tsunami buoys: anchored buoys that can detect sudden changes in undersea water pressure are used as part of tsunami warning systems in the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and Indian Oceans.

Spar buoy: a tall, thin buoy that floats upright in the water.

Profiling buoy: specialized models which adjust buoyancy so that they will sink at a controlled rate to 2,000 meters below the surface while measuring sea temperatures and salinity. After a time, typically 10 days, the buoy returns to the surface, transmits its data via satellite, and then sinks again.

Ice marking buoys: used for marking ice holes in frozen lakes and rivers so that snowmobiles do not drive over the holes.

Marker buoys: used in naval warfare, particularly anti-submarine warfare is a light-emitting or smoke-emitting, or both, marker using some kind of pyrotechnic to provide the flare and smoke. It is commonly a 3-inch (76 mm) diameter device about 20 inches (500 mm) long that is set off by contact with seawater and floats on the surface. Some markers extinguish after a set period and others are made to sink.

Lobster trap buoys: brightly colored buoys used for the marking of lobster trap locations so the person lobster fishing can find their lobster traps. Each lobster fisherman has his or her own color markings or registration numbers so they know which ones are theirs. They are only allowed to haul their own traps and must display their buoy color or license number on their boat so law enforcement officials know what they should be hauling. The buoys are brightly colored with highly visible numbers so they can be seen under conditions when there is poor visibility like rain, fog, sea smoke, etc.

Wave buoy: used to measure the movement of the water surface as a wave train. The wave train is analyzed to determine statistics like the significant wave height and period and wave direction.

Target buoy: used to simulate target (like a small boat) in live fire exercise by naval and coastal forces, usually targeted by weapons (medium size) like HMG’s, rapid fire cannons (20 or so mm), autocannons (bigger ones up to 40 and 57mm) and also anti-tank rockets.

Wreck buoy: a buoy to mark a wrecked ship to warn other ships to keep away because of unseen hazards.

Navigational Aids Rules in South Lake Tahoe City Homewood

South Lake Tahoe City Homewood cooperates in a nationwide, uniform waterway marking system. The State Aids to Navigation System is the basic system of waterway markers (buoys) used on State waters as recommended by the U.S. Coast Guard for the purpose of minimizing hazards to navigation in South Lake Tahoe City Homewood. The system is consistent with the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) Maritime Buoyage System (Region B) and complies with existing U.S. Coast Guard regulations.

No city, county or person may mark the waters of in any manner conflicting with the marking system prescribed by the Director of the Bureau of Parks and Public Lands, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. The Bureau can issue a permit to lake associations, municipalities, and other organizations to place and maintain waterway markers.

The boating law requires all watercraft to carry at least one Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (life vest) per person. All watercraft equipped with motors must be registered in Maine or in a state of which Maine has a reciprocal agreement.

Rules and Regulations: Adopted December 10, 2001

The Director, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, as authorized by Title 12 MRSA, Section 1894, adopts the following Rules and Regulations.

The Maine State Aids to Navigation System is the basic system of waterway markers used on state waters as recommended by the U.S. Coast Guard for the purpose of minimizing hazards to navigation.

Maine cooperates in this nationwide marking system to ensure that these buoys and markers will have the same meaning in all states even in South Lake Tahoe City Homewood. The system is consistent with the International Association of Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) Maritime Buoyage System (Region B) and is compatible with existing U.S. Coast Guard regulations.

SYSTEM OF AIDS TO NAVIGATION & WATERWAY MARKERS

The Maine State Aids to Navigation System (M.S.A.T.N.S.) has been developed to guide the watercraft operators on waters of this State.

State waterway markers shall not normally be placed within the Water Safety Zone (200 feet or less from any shoreline), except when marking channels or hazards to navigation in critical high traffic areas. Floating State waterway markers normally will mark hazards covered by less than four (4) feet of water at low water during the boating season. (Typically from Memorial Day to October 1st each year.)

The M.S.A.T.N.S. consists of five (5) types of markers:

Lateral types of Aids to Navigation;
Safe water markers;
Inland waters obstruction markers;
Regulatory and Information markers;
Another waterway Marking Devices and Waterborne Structures.
Lateral type aids to navigation mark defined channels. They define the port and starboard sides of a route to be followed and their most frequent use is to mark the sides of a channel. The coloring and numbering of Lateral aids are determined by their position with respect to the navigable channel, as such channels are entered and followed upstream or toward the head of navigation. There are two (2) distinctively colored aids used to indicate the sides of a channel.
Solid Colored GREEN Aids (All Green Can) shall indicate that side of a channel to be kept to the left (port side) of a watercraft when proceeding upstream or returning from the main water body.

Go between all-green aid and a companion all-red aid. The green aid is used together with the all-red aid to mark the entrance of a channel. While traversing the remainder of said channel, all-green aids shall be kept on the same side of the watercraft as indicated by the placement of aids at the entrance to the channel.

Solid Colored RED Aids (All Red Nun) shall indicate that side of a channel to be kept to the right (starboard side) of a watercraft when proceeding upstream or returning from the main water body.

Go between all-red aid and a companion all-green aid. The red aid is used together with the all-green aid to mark the entrance of a channel. While traversing the remainder of said channel, all-red aids shall be kept on the same side of the watercraft as indicated by the placement of aids at the entrance of the channel.

Safe water markers indicate that there is navigable water all around the marker. Their most frequent use is to indicate fairways or mid-channels.
A RED and WHITE Vertically Striped Aid shall mark the Fairway or center of a channel. Watercraft can safely pass close by either side of these markers when following them in sequence. Stripes shall be of approximately equal width and marker shall display red spherical top mark.
Inland waters obstruction markers indicate that the hazard extends from the nearest point of land to the buoy.
BLACK and WHITE Vertically STRIPED Aids shall mark obstructions extending from the nearest shore to the aid and shall indicate to a watercraft operator not to navigate between the aid and the nearest shore. The number of stripes is discretionary, provided the white stripes are twice the width of the black stripes.
Regulatory and Information Markers are used to alert the watercraft operator of the existence of dangerous areas, restricted or controlled areas, and which provide general information and directions.

All regulatory waterway markers shall be colored white with orange color bands and symbols. Symbols (geometric shapes) shall be placed between horizontal colored bands of a marker body and shall be colored orange.

Authorized symbols and their meanings are as follows:

A vertical open-faced diamond symbol to mean DANGER. The nature of the danger may be indicated by words and/or well-known abbreviations in black block letters above, below or beside the symbol in the white background. Some examples of words that may be used are: “Hazard Area,” “Shallow Area,” “Rock,” or “Dam.”
A vertical open-faced diamond symbol having a cross centered within the diamond indicates that all motorboats are excluded from the marked area. All motorboats must KEEP OUT. The nature of the restriction may be indicated by words and/or well-known abbreviations in black block letters above, below, or beside the symbol in the white background. Some examples of words that may be used are: “Swim Area,” “Water Intake,” or “Area Closed.”
A circular symbol indicates that a watercraft operated in the marked area is subject to certain operating CONTROLS or RESTRICTIONS. The nature of the controls or restrictions shall be indicated by words, numerals, and/or well-known abbreviations in black block letters inside or beside the circle. The extra explanation may be given above, below, or beside the symbol in the white background. Some examples of words that may be used are: “Headway Speed Only,” “Safety Slow Zone,” or “No Ski.” Note – Not all restricted or controlled areas are marked by buoys.
A square or rectangular symbol to give INFORMATION or DIRECTIONS. The information shall be indicated by words and/or well-known abbreviations in black block letters above, below, beside or inside the symbol in the white background.
Other waterway marking devices and anchored or stationary waterborne structures:

In the interest of safety and uniformity, anyone placing any of the following types of waterway marking devices or waterborne structures in or on State waters must comply with State regulations. In addition, no object may be placed in State waters in a marked channel or a Fairway or in a manner that would impede access to a public boat launch facility or deny the right of Free Navigation.

MOORING BUOYS: To avoid mistaking mooring buoys for aids to navigation or regulatory markers, they shall be colored white with a single BLUE horizontal band clearly visible above the water line. No mooring may be installed so that it or the object moored thereto extends beyond the water safety zone (200 feet from any shore) or one-third the distance to the opposite shore, whichever is less.
ORGANIZED SWIM AREA, MARKING OF: All organized swim areas must be enclosed with line floats (alternate colored white and orange or alternate colored white and blue) to delineate the limits of said area, and must be marked at the outer offshore bounds by at least two (2) Swim Area markers, i.e. Regulatory Waterway Markers with the vertical open-faced diamond symbol, having a cross centered in the diamond and the words SWIM AREA to indicate that all motorboats must keep out of the area. No swim area may extend beyond the water safety zone (200 feet from any shore) or one-third the distance to the opposite shore, whichever is less. A State Permit is not necessary to establish an organized swim area. (Effective 9/13/2009, a new state law (12 MRSA §1900) requires anyone wishing to establish or maintain a swimming area on inland waters of the state to obtain a permit from the Bureau of Parks and Lands. Only recreational camps licensed by the Department of Health and Human Services, camping areas licensed by DHHS, governmental entities and governmentally sponsored groups may obtain a permit. Contact the Boating Facilities Division, Bureau of Parks and Lands, (207) 287-4952 for more information.)
FLOATS – SWIMMING AND DIVING: No such structure will be anchored or moored beyond the Water Safety Zone (200 feet from any shore), or one-third the distance to the opposite shore, whichever is less.
SKI SLALOM COURSE, WATER: All water ski slalom courses shall be marked with RED and YELLOW, minimum nine (9) inch spherical markers and arranged in compliance with the American Water Ski Association Regulations for slalom courses. No part of a water ski slalom course shall be within the Water Safety Zone (within 200 feet of any shoreline) unless authorized to do so by the Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
SKI JUMP, WATER: All water ski jump structures will be equipped with orange reflectors or reflecting tape visible from all sides. Any such structure anchored beyond the water safety zone (200 feet from any shore) between the hours of sunset and sunrise, shall be illuminated with a single white light showing all around the horizon.
REGATTA, WATERWAY PARADE, RACE AND/OR EXHIBITION MARKERS: Whoever wishes to hold or initiate an organized Regatta, Waterway Parade, Race or Exhibition on State waters must receive authorization to do so from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Registration Information, Augusta, Maine 04333 and comply with the regulations contained herein for the specific type of marker or structure concerned.
Permanent Race Course Markers: Race Course markers shall be colored white with orange horizontal bands and display an orange colored triangular pennant. The alternate white and orange bands (white band uppermost) shall be of four (4) inch height, and that portion of a marker must extend a minimum of two (2) feet above the waters’ surface. Pennants for these markers must be orange in color, triangular in shape.
Temporary Regatta, Waterway Parade, Race and/or Exhibition Markers: Any markers placed in, on, or near State waters incidental to an authorized Regatta, Waterway Parade, Race or Exhibition, shall comply with the following regulations: Markers shall be of the “Regulatory” type, with circular symbol indicating a controlled area, with proper wording affixed, i.e. Regatta Area, Parade Route, Boat Race, etc. The length of time these markers shall be permitted may not exceed forty-eight (48) hours prior to or following the scheduled event. All authorized races must use race course markers as depicted in the preceding paragraph.
DIVERS’ FLAGS or DIVERS’ SIGNS: This Waterway marker shall, when displayed on the water, either from a float or watercraft, indicate the presence of diving activities in the immediate water area, and shall be displayed only when diving activities are actually in progress.

Watercraft operators shall remain at least one hundred (100) feet from any diver’s flag or sign and exercise every precaution while in the area.

The diver’s flag or sign shall be of a RED color with a WHITE diagonal stripe running from the upper left-hand corner to the lower right-hand corner (on a flag, from the masthead to the lower outside corner of the fly).

BRIDGE CLEARANCE LIGHTS: where needed or desired on bridges, these shall be fixed (constant rather than flashing) RED lights marking the boundary or margin of each side of the channel, with a fixed single GREEN light placed over the center of the safe channel so as to indicate the maximum vertical clearance at that point.
ORGANIZED CAMP PERIMETER MARKERS: may be utilized by organized camp owners in waters adjacent to their waterfront property. This waterway marker is used as a cautionary device to alert vessel operators of the camp’s existence. Perimeter markers shall be a regulatory type marker, which indicates control or restriction. The word SLOW shall be printed within the circle symbol, ORG’D printed over the symbol and CAMP printed under the symbol.
SPECIAL PURPOSE MARKERS: Markers for special purposes shall be colored as follows:

SEAPLANE LANDING AREAS OR MILFOIL AREAS. When marked shall be marked with SOLID YELLOW buoys. These markings have no significance as regards safe waters for the operation of watercraft, other than to inform the watercraft operator that seaplanes may be operating in the area or the existence of other special features.

BAIT TRAPS: shall be WHITE in color and shall be identified as to ownership. From ice out to ice in; A baitfish trap buoy or baitfish holding box buoy placed or located within the inland waters of the State must be a minimum of four (4) inches in diameter and Twelve (12) inches in height and be covered with a reflective coating that is visible from all sides and covers a minimum of 25% of the visible surface area of the buoy.

SPECIFICATIONS PERTINENT TO THE MAINE STATE AIDS TO NAVIGATION SYSTEM

SIZE, SHAPE, MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION OF AIDS TO NAVIGATION AND WATERWAY MARKERS: the size, shape, material and construction of all markers, both fixed and floating, shall be such as to be observable under normal conditions of visibility at a distance such that the significance of the markers or aids will be recognizable before the observer is in danger.
NUMBERS, LETTERS OR WORDS ON MARKERS:
Numbers, letters or words on an aid to navigation or regulatory marker shall be placed in a manner to enable them to be clearly visible to an approaching or passing watercraft. They shall be block style, well-proportioned and as large as the available space permits. Numbers and letters on red or green backgrounds shall be white, numbers and letters on white backgrounds shall be black. All markers shall be conspicuously numbered for identification purposes.
On Lateral (channel) markers, ODD numbers shall be used to identify solid colored green markers; EVEN numbers shall be used to identify solid colored red markers

All numbers shall increase in an upstream direction or toward the head of navigation whenever this is reasonably definable (odd to left or port – even to right or starboard). On waterways where the head of navigation is not reasonably definable, marker numbers shall be assigned at the discretion of the Bureau and/or Permittee.

Numbers shall be required on all navigational aids or regulatory markers. For uniformity, this number shall be near the top of floating markers and in the lower right-hand part of sign markers. Numbers shall be a minimum of two (2) inches in height.
A mooring buoy may bear ownership identification provided that the manner and placement of the identification do not detract from the meaning intended to be conveyed by the color code (scheme).
REGULATORY MARKER SYMBOLS: The symbols (geometric shapes) displayed on a regulatory marker are intended to convey a specific meaning to watercraft operators, whether or not they should stay well clear of the marker or may safely approach the marker in order to read any wording on the marker. Wording on regulatory markers shall be black in color.

When a regulatory marker consists of a square or a rectangular-shaped sign displayed from a buoy or structure, the sign shall be white with an orange colored border. When a diamond or circular geometric shape is associated with the meaning of the marker, it shall be centered on the signboard.

REGULATORY BUOY BANDS: Buoys used to display regulatory markers shall have a clearly visible orange colored band near the TOP and at the BOTTOM of the buoy. The bottom band should be visible above the buoys’ waterline. The white portion between the bands will be used to display the appropriate symbol and wording if any.
REFLECTORS OR REFLECTIVE MATERIALS: shall be used on all navigational aids and regulatory markers. When used on markers having lateral (channel) significance, GREEN reflectors or retroreflective materials shall be used on solid colored green markers; RED reflectors or retroreflective materials shall be used on solid colored red markers; WHITE reflectors or retroreflective materials shall be used for all other markers, except that orange reflectors or retroreflective materials may be used on the orange portions of regulatory markers and yellow reflectors or retroreflective materials may be used on all special purpose markers.
LIGHTING OF AIDS TO NAVIGATION AND WATERWAY MARKERS: Navigational aids, when lighted, shall conform to the following: lights on solid colored markers shall be regularly flashing, regularly oscillating or equal interval lights. For ordinary purposes, the frequency of flashes will not be more than 30 flashes per minute (slow flashing). When it is desired that lights have a distinct cautionary significance, as at sharp turns or sudden constrictions in the channel or to mark artificial or natural obstructions, the frequency of flashes may not be less than 60 flashes per minute (quick flashing).

Colors of lights shall be a GREEN light on solid colored green markers, a RED light on solid colored red markers and WHITE or AMBER lights for all other markers.

SPECIAL LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS: Whenever a structure (anchored or stationary) is erected in a position on or adjacent to the edges of navigable channels or fairways or beyond the “Water Safety Zone” (200 feet from any shore), the Bureau may require lights to mark such structures when, in its judgment, lights are necessary for the safety of the boating public.

In general, a buoy in South Lake Tahoe City Homewood is considered as a float anchored in navigable waters to mark channels and indicate dangers to navigation (isolated rocks, mine fields, cables, and the like). The shape, color, number, and marking of the buoy are all significant, but unfortunately, there are two competing systems of color coding which have been adopted in different parts of the world.