1-47If you navigate these type of waters, you should carry a portable airhorn, which are available from local marine supply stores.Aids to NavigationLearn to recognize the different buoys and day markers; they arethe signposts of the waterways. The United States Aids toNavigation System (USATONS) is the primary marking system usedon inland water, coastal waters and rivers in the United States. Thissystem is maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG).There are two primary marking systems in use in the U.S.: theUniform State Waterway Marking System (USWMS), used oninland waters and maintained by each state, and the FederalWaterway Marking System (FWMS), used on coastal waters andrivers and maintained by the USCG. In addition, the FWMS has twomodified systems: the Western River Buoyage, and the IntercoastalWaterway Buoyage. Be sure to check with local authorities on thebuoyage system in use in your boating region.The type of hazard/warning buoys and markers depends on thearea of jurisdiction. Check with local boating authorities.USWMS SystemIn the USWMS Lateral System, well-defined channels are markedwith red and black buoys, and the boat should pass between them.The USWMS Cardinal System is used when there is no well-definedchannel or where an obstruction may be approached from morethan 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 indicatesboat should pass outside of the buoy (away from shore).Boating Safety
