Before the great exodus posts I mentioned the importance of understanding nautical markers. Stating that, if you don’t know how to read them, relinquish the helm. While I stand by this, you gotta learn how to navigate the waterways at some point. I learned from my grandfather personally. Some of you may have just gotten a new boat, have a family that came from some landlocked area and never treaded water past your knees. I won’t pretend to know your upbringing, but welcome to a Jaibird’s guide on how not to ruin yours or someone else’s day on the water!
We’ve all been out on the water and seen the red and/or green markers. For those who are color blind (there’s more of you than I ever imagined) those would be the triangles and the squares. These are our channel markers and going out to sea and they align with your port and starboard sides. There’s an old saying “Red, right, return!” meaning the red markers should be on your right when you are returning to dock/ramp. Helps keep people from colliding some.
Our triangular red markers are what denote even mile markers if they are buoys, they’ll be pointed and called “Nuns”. Green markers make up the square odd markers. These buoys will be squared off and called “Cans”. Fairly easy guides through the water. Better if you can read a map, but in a pinch if you need to call for aid you can identify the most recent marker you saw.
I know I made a big to do on the manatee post about speed zones. I have a soft spot for the creatures. That said the same White and orange markers that ask you to slow down for them may also ask you to slow down for other reasons, rocks, swim area nearby, you get the picture. Generally speaking this color combo of marker and buoy is a means to provide information. Not just to scold you for engaging in hyper speeds.
Say you want to moor onto a marker. You can do so, in the event it’s white and blue. Other colors please don’t otherwise you could destroy the marker or damage your own vessel. These markers can also showcase entire areas that are safe to moor so just pay attention!
The last marker I want to talk about is the yellow one. These bad boys may make you think yield. You’d be wrong. You see these and under the water may be cables to snag your anchors, debris your boat absolutely cannot clear, all sorts of stuff that ends in a sad day on the water. These are warning markers. If you see these, they’ll typically tell you what’s going on and why you should avoid the area. Heed the warnings. They aren’t there just for a laugh.
I know a lot of you have really precious boats the likes of which are unmatched. You send me photos when you need parts and you’ve brought them in when you want to size up railings properly. Magnificent specimens all of them. Some of you treat them with the respect they deserve and some of you baffle me and think they can handle anything. And there’s a chance they could, but you can’t so why risk it. Follow basic nautical signs, go appropriate speeds, learn (not from me) how to read maps and if you want to see how humbling reckless boating can be just look up videos of Haulover Inlet. Fascinating displays of hubris and pain.