| Do you know what a pie-pan shaped chart symbol | | | | the base of the diamond to determine the buoy |
| indicates on your nautical chart or chart plotter? Or the | | | | position. |
| difference between an exclamation mark and diamond | | | | 3. Pie-Pan-in-Profile |
| symbol? How can you tell whether a nautical chart | | | | Solid black pie-pan-in-profile shaped symbols warn of a |
| symbol means that an aid to navigation floats or | | | | large mooring buoy. These are huge, steel disks with a |
| doesn't float? | | | | mooring ring-bolt on top, used by large ships. Keep well |
| Check the symbol lettering | | | | clear of these symbols to avoid the dangers of a |
| Slanted letters next to a symbol tell you that the | | | | boat-to-ship confrontation. |
| object moves with the wind, tide, and current. Buoys | | | | 4. Exclamation Points to Safety |
| are anchored to the sea-bottom with a short scope of | | | | Fixed light structures are indicated by a teardrop |
| chain. The chain attaches to a concrete block. | | | | shape with a black dot at the base. The dot shows |
| Vertical letters are used next to symbols of structures | | | | the exact position of the light. The teardrop and dot |
| that stand straight and tall no matter what the marine | | | | look similar to an exclamation point. Look for reliable |
| weather. These include daybeacons, lighted beacons, | | | | light symbols for safer sailing navigation. |
| lighthouses, and prominent objects along the shore | | | | 5. Circle and Dot Dependability |
| (tanks, church spires, antennas). | | | | Light symbols show a dot, which tells you that they are |
| Chart cartographers use specific symbols that indicate | | | | fixed structures unaffected by wind, tide, or current. |
| unlighted buoys, lighted buoys, daybeacons, or light | | | | Buoy symbols show a small open circle, which tells you |
| structures. Use these five tips to guide you: | | | | that they are floating and can swing on their chain |
| 1. Daybeacon Day Shapes | | | | when wind, tide, or current change. Buoys can |
| Daybeacons are unlighted, fixed structures used in | | | | drag--just like a small cruising boat--in rough weather. |
| places where buoys are not practical. They often | | | | Use caution when buoys are your only navigational |
| mark the edges of shoal water. On the nautical chart, | | | | aids. |
| a daybeacon symbol may be square or triangular. | | | | ********************* |
| 2. Diamond Buoy Body Anatomy | | | | Learn to recognize the most common nautical chart |
| Most buoy symbols on navigational charts look like | | | | symbols used on navigation charts throughout much of |
| small diamonds. They may show one or more colors, | | | | the cruising world. This will boost your sailing navigation |
| or a vertical or horizontal line that slices the buoy | | | | skills to help you make the best decisions for the |
| symbol down the middle. Use the small open circle at | | | | safety of your sailing crew. |