Sail safer with these 'landfall light' secrets

by Captain John Jamieson on 21 Nov 2014 Imagine sailing toward the coast, with landfall just over the horizon. Your GPS signal has been weak and unreliable. You strain your eyes to pick up the light that marks the entrance to the safe harbor ahead. What three sea-tested sailing tips can you use to keep your small sailboat and your sailing crew in safe water?


Sail anywhere in the world and you will encounter lights and shapes that guide, warn or alert the mariner. How are lights segregated from unlighted aids to navigation? How are they labeled to tell the sailor whether they are fixed or floating?

Light structures or lighted buoys show a magenta colored disk or teardrop next to or over the position, designated by a black dot, star or small open circle.

Often, buoys show a small open circle instead of a black dot. This represents the swing-circle of the buoy.

Buoys are anchored to the bottom much like a vessel, with a chain and sinker (the 'ground tackle' of the buoy). Buoys may or may not maintain their position. Storms or storm surge can drag a buoy from its assigned position.

How are Floating Aids Lettered, Lighted and Labeled? (Right Side of Illustration)

Letters

Slanted letters are used to identify objects that float, shift, bob, sway, swing, or have the potential to shift position from wind, current, wave or swell. Look at the three chart symbols on the right side of the illustration. All of the buoy description characters (letter or numbers) are slanted.

Lights

Notice that each of these floating aids has a magenta colored disk or teardrop over the black dot or small open circle. The first symbol shows the position as a black dot. The next two symbols show the position as a small open circle. If a magenta disc is used, it will always be superimposed atop the position circle.

Labels

Look at the charted buoy off the Southeast coast of Southern Head. We have a green painted buoy (G) with the name 'XA3' stenciled onto the buoy body. This buoy shows a light characteristic of a green flash of light once every four seconds (Fl G 4s). The buoy has been equipped with a wave-actuated Bell (BELL; sound designations will be in all caps). Note that all of these characters are slanted. As described earlier, only floating aids to navigation show slanted letters.

How are Fixed Aids Lettered, Lighted and Labeled? (Left Side of Illustration)

Letters

Note that the three symbols on the left side of the illustration show vertical letters and numbers. These aids never move. The structure that carries such lights has been driven deep into the seabed or built upon a foundation.

Lights

You will never find a magenta colored disk superimposed over the dot or star of a fixed aid to navigation. The disk will always be reserved for buoys. Note that all three chart symbol samples show a magenta colored teardrop over the position dot or star.

Labels

Look at Southwest Head Light on Southern Head. The first thing that pops out will be the name in all caps. Prominent objects that have been surveyed to a high degree of accuracy for safe navigation use all caps in the name (i.e. TANK, SPIRE). All letters are vertical.

This light flashes once every ten seconds. If you see no color designation on the light characteristic, this means a white light. The light stands 47.5 meters (about 156 feet) above sea level; visible for 16 nautical miles on a clear night. It's equipped with an electronic HORN. The sound characteristic will always be in all caps.

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Use these sailing tips to make landfall or an approach to a harbor safer and easier. Keep your small sailboat and your sailing crew safe and sound on the waters of the world--wherever you choose to sail or cruise!

John Jamieson (Captain John) with 25+ years of experience shows you the no-nonsense cruising skills you need for safer sailing worldwide. Visit his website at Skipper Tips. Sign up for the Free, highly popular weekly 'Captain John's Sailing Tip-of-the-Week'. Discover how you can gain instant access to 1000+ sailing articles, sailing skills videos, sailing tips newsletters and Free sailing topic e-Books!