I've watched boating RUclips videos for years. They've been entertaining. However, your videos are easy to follow, educational, thorough, and easy to remember! Thank you.
Wow, you just gave me goose bumps! Thank you so much, it's very kind of you to share. I've been doing this all of my life and this is how I want to close out the last chapter of my life - what a blessing.
Captain, thank you so very much for this video. For many years ive questioned how the bouy system is laid out in the waterways in the area that I live in. Starting at 5:35 to 11:35 of your video, you just cleared up years of confusion and wrong answers Ive been told. Now that ive watched your video, the lightbulb went off and PRESTO, I totally understand now. Thank you sir!
I learned in the Navy Red right Upstream or Into port (RRUI) and Green right Downstream or out to sea (GRDO). Thanks for teaching this class to the uninformed. I've seen the same ignorance for the last 50+ years since I left the US Navy. Good Job!!!
Going around Staten Island same holds true: Ambrose channel, Narrows, Bay Ridge channel meets Hudson meets Kill Van Kull channel meets Newark Bay channel meets Arthur Kill channel meets Raritan Bay channel meets Raritan River Cutoff channel.... add channels for each individual port...heavy commercial traffic ....and in haze from wildfires smoke it is hard to tell color without binoculars ...add a bit of GPS lag. and it can get interesting even in middle of the day, ... done it once, it was fun, not sure I want to do it again...lol
Red right return made perfect sense to me, here’s why. In the coast guard class I took they told us that channels are layed out/ marked ‘go to sea , just like going around that island. ‘. When you’re going to sea Green is starboard and red is port just like the lights on your boat. If you think of it that way you should be able to remember and figure out where you’re supposed to be.
In a simple geography, red, right, return works great. But, if you are boating in a bay that has lots of islands and multiple ports it isn't always clear. For example, in my local bay there are lots and lots of islands. There's a channel between two of those islands that is essentially parallel to shore. There's a path to multiple harbors in each direction, and there's a path to open ocean in each direction. So, which way is "return"? I initially guessed that "return" would be heading in the direction of the largest and closest harbor from the wider channel to the sea, but I was wrong. I'm sure there's solid logic behind the design, but I don't know what it is. The point is, you can't 100% depend on red, right, return. After being confused a few times, I now always have a chart (paper or electronic) readily available to be able to reference if needed.
@@paulfrank8738Outstanding and you have arrived at the point of the video. You should always consult your plotter or a chart. This is kinda old school but I still do it to this day: I plot all my courses in all of the harbors / channels I go or could go into. I do this at the dock where I can zoom in and take my time to figure things out. Now - no stress! I learned this the hard way on a rescue I responded to with people’s lives hang on the other end. I hadn’t laid down track line, it was night and as dark as the inside of your pocket. The stress knots my stomach up just to think about it. I remember thinking how dumb not to have taken control of the things I could control like plotting those course. I couldn’t control the weather or the darkness or the fact that these guys needed help but the courses! Sorry that this is so long but it’s exactly why I started this channel in the first place. Thank you so much for commenting!
Holy crap thanks I’m learning an that’s a good note …. But what I’m confused about is if I need to stay between them how do I get it on the star side without leaving channel
Thank you for your efforts to educate the boating public. As a land-locked Canadian boater who can’t always point to the sea from the various bodies of water I frequent, I’ve come to equate “returning” to mean returning to port, er I mean, harbour. But I too have been hoodwinked by rounding a point and suddenly realizing everything was bass-ackwards. Keeps this pastime interesting for sure!
This is a good video...thank you. When on the Rhine in Germany last year I noted to the ship captain that he was on the wrong side of the buoys! I found out that Europe uses the System A of buoys, and there it is Red Left Return from the Sea! "In Europe, the position of each buoy is such that on exiting a harbor or channel the red marks or Port marks will be kept on your right hand side, while on entering a harbor or buoyed channel the green or Starboard mark will be kept to your right" I was embarrassed.
Thank you so much for your comment! LOL, me too!!! A couple of O’L Boys from the “Land Down Under” schooled me in these facts when I first put this video and then they gave me a history lesson of my own country. Oh well, even old dogs can learn something new! Thanks again.
Thank you for this. I'm on the water in a very low draft, slow moving craft (a kayak) so I'm not concerned about hitting the bottom, but everybody benefits if I can understand where other craft are being channeled so I can avoid unnecessarily getting in the way (and in the wakes).
Hello Sir, I would like to make this comment. As much as you say that Red Right Returning is an incomplete statement, also you may wish to consider that as you reach out to your audience, it is an international audience that you address. With that in mind, it maybe a point to mention that the system of buoyage you describe is for North, Central and South America, Japan, Korea and the Philippines, the IALA system B. The rest of the world uses IALA system A, which reverses the shapes and colors of the lateral markers. We have the term "Red to Red Returning from sea" Perhaps the cabin cruiser you described, was unfamiliar with local waters... but, your point stands...know where you are and plan ahead
Thank you so much for your reply! I acknowledge your point about an international audience. A little humbling, I must admit. I have studied both systems while I was in the Coast Guard, but I love talking about the things I know firsthand. I don't have firsthand experience in those countries. I have been to Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean. I've been in and out of the ICW but have no experience in the western rivers. It was my sincere hope when I started this channel that I would meet people like you and have these conversations. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge, experience and your opinion. I hope our paths will cross in the future and we can continue this conversation over a hot cup of coffee.
@Boat Training Online I also like to speak of things that I have experience with or learned first hand, that's the great thing about this platform, it connects people from all over the world...BTW I would have the first clue about the ICW navigation, but if I find myself in that part of the world, I'd look up a contact such as yourself...keep up the content :)
Thank you for your response to my question. RUclips blocked me from directly answering from your comment. Yes I’m in sunny Florida, USA. And your answer cleared things up.
What I learned is returning in the ICW (intercoastal waterway) is based a trip from ME to TX. So red right is on the land side and green is on the sea side as the ICW channel (mostly) parallels the US coast line. I remember this as red = stop = shallow so that is always the land side. What gets confusing is when two channels cross because as mentioned in your island example this can switch which "return" you are following. I have a very shallow draft boat (flats skiff) but still try to stay in between gates just to be predictable, if you short cut a marker that will confuse others navigating the area. Heck they might even try to follow you and run aground. In FL we have letters for secondary markers like 22A. In this case the A was added due to a sand bar or other hazard or maybe in a tight area where a straight course between two markers wouldn't work. So just think of 22A as 22.5, they needed an extra marker but couldn't use 23 as that breaks the odd / even rule. As such you can just treat 22A the same as 22. And in very shallow area you might have private stakes which are just simple PVC poles shoved in the mud that have wooden arrows showing where the deep/safe side is. These aren't official government markers and thus don't show on charts. I wish all markers had lights, I understand this isn't possible with buoys (cans/nuns) but on pylons this is totally possible with solar panels and batteries. The best advice is to study a chart BEFORE heading out and familiarize yourself with local channels so you are not surprised. I even add points on my chart plotter/GPS and name them with warnings like slow, open, wide, tight or entrance... things to remind me of what to do in that area.
Fifty years ago would have been 1974. In 1974 all of the green buoys were black. In the early eighties the USCG changed the black to green. I guess the color green is easier to see in low light situations…vice black.
It's not a complete statement. If you meet an approaching vessel, somehow you have to distinguish it as a vessel and not a navigation marker. Not all markers are flashing, did you know that? And then, for vessels, the rules apply exactly the OPPOSITE, don't they? You must leave a red light to port and a green light to starboard.
I recalled, from a billion years ago (late 70's), that red was on the right, but I must have forgotten that it was when _returning from the sea_. I'd always wondered how this could possibly work because it must be with relationship to something or you'd pass on the wrong side. (I don't boat but I was interested as a kid and read a lot of the coast guard class material). Thanks for clearing that up.
In my neck of the woods, Glen Island, New Rochelle, there is a series of red and green buoys aligned close to each other leading into the channel. You have to crisscross these markers accordingly leaving or returning to the channel. There is no margin for error. If you make an error, you end up on a pile of rocks just inches under the surface..
WoW! We have a body of water up here called Woods Hole Pass where 4 different channels converge. If you haven’t done your due diligent prior to entering, it could cost you your boating season. I’m in the process of making a video on the process for looking at how a channel is laid out. Thank you so much for sharing and for your comment!
That’s awesome, I don’t have any experience on the lakes. There’s some incredible Coast Guard stations and Cutters up there that I wish I could have served on but the closest I was offered was Niagara Falls. Thank you so much for commenting!
Yes, Green going to sea, Red returning from sea. But it can be a bit confusing on waterways. For example, if you look at a chart for the Arthur Kill New York area, you will see on the Arthur Kill as you are traveling from New Jersey to the Hudson River, Buoys are Red on the Right but as you pass under the Goethals Bridge, the waterway curves to the right and you will see Green Buoys on the Right and Red Buoys on the Left on the same waterway. You need to watch your chart for this area.
You make an awesome point! More than likely, you are entering and exiting different channels. The best practice is to lay down your track lines prior to entering that body of water. Then there’s no surprises. You’ve laid these track lines down while you’re calm and not under stress. I have always done this because trying to rescue someone is stressful enough without adding something I have complete control over. Thank you so much for your comment!
I try to always adhere to nav aids. Over 5000 hours on my boat 4 times to Alaska and back to Seattle. Navy aids are set for shipping that uses the channel. There is often enough water for small boats inside the nav aid. Essential to use your charts in connection to the nav aids It makes the channel and nav aid purpose pretty clear.
You have to reference charts for the area. When you leave Key West and turn west you hold the red on your right because you are returning to Gulf of Mexico.
Good point. Ran aground years ago from three channels came together in Oyster, VA. Fishing where three channels come together and got turned around. North channel changes to outgoing. North channel wasn’t returning. Good thing the tide was coming in and pushed me back into channel.
I remember the first time I went around an island. Completely didn’t realize I was going back out to sea and I could not figure out why the buoys were on the wrong side. I felt pretty stupid when I figured it out but it threw completely over the handle bars. It’s easy to get turned around. Thank you so much for sharing!!!
The trouble with Woods Hole (in the days before chart plotters) you came through with the small scale area chart from Buzzards Bay into Vineyard Sound and the area chart stopped before getting to the end of the danger.
I've heard that the reason that your system is different to that of most of the rest of the world on IALA System A is that your locals swapped the bouys to confuse the English during your battles for independence? Enemy ships floundered on bars and in shallows because of the confusion that ensued. Quite a clever and cheap defense! It seems to have some merit, and you simply never swapped back afterwards. So very American. ;) LOL Still, Australians and so many others simply can't watch these US-centric video training guides because they're frankly very, very incorrect for us.
Thank you so much for your comment, Chris! Clint, a fellow Aussie schooled me in this a couple of days ago. I was completely unaware and will have to pay close attention when I make it to the land down under. (definitely on my bucket list) I've never heard the war story, but it certainly makes sense to me. If it's any consolation, the skipper of the cabin cruiser didn't have an Australian accent;) Thanks again Mate!
Thank you so much for your comment and my back side is starting to back broken in from all you guys around the world😂 I will admit, I was completely Ignorant of the fact until a couple of O’L Boys from the Land Down Under school in the fact and gave me a history lesson to boot. You guys are all awesome!!!
@@ColinWu I did state "most of the rest of the world on IALA", not all of it. I also doubt that Japan, Korea and the Philippines had any real systems in place prior to the time of the Revolutionary war and merely adopted what the USA went with at some point. Do you have anything to show that's an incorrect assumption?
great video . I have a simple suggestion for the rule makers. a simple arrow on the bouy pointing to the safe side of the bouy to travel on . Similar to the arrow on the dash of your car beside the fuel pump symbol telling you what side of the car your gas cap is on. I don't think this would be a fix all but it may help keep the less informed out of trouble 90% of the time. Any kind of boat trouble sucks.
As the captain explains, you want to stay between the buoys. The colors tell you whether you're coming or going from sea. In Jimmy Buffett's words, "keep it between the navigational beakers".
Great video. Thanks..i needed a refresher......question......these same rules apply to freshwater impoundments, big resevoirs? Ill assume the damn or lower lake is "to port" and going up lake is going " to sea" so to speak? thanks a bunch
IALA system B covers the U.S.. Western rivers have close but different rules adding current into the equation. Lakes who’s bank shores cross another state line (Great lakes, Tahoe, Champlain) have Coast Guard assets stationed on them who take responsibility for the aids to navigation. Lakes inside a state are dictated by that state. Fun fact, buoys are put out for the purpose of moving commerce. They just let us use them😂
If you're a long way from sea, you don't necessarily think about salt water, sea, ocean stuff. If you think "returning upstream", that will make more sense to most people. Inland folks will usually know upstream and downstream better than where the sea is. US rules, not necessarily other countries.
LMAO - I've got the T-Shirt on that one too! Took me about 10 minutes to figure out I was heading back out to sea. Still brings a smile to my face, thank you so much for commenting!!
Thanks for your vid man … I’m learning in rivers been fishing tournaments (bass) an my friend been teaching me a lot and ppl don’t realize yes we can an do have a blast but danger is present if we are inexperienced anyway yesterday me an my friend was heading out of a river inlet to the bay side or to sea and was wander why this boat was heading straight at us an we was taking red bois to our right heading out but it worked out but I’m here to learn thank u
Great video. I transit Woods Hole quite often during the summer and it’s my least favorite part of my trip as it’s as treacherous as you say, especially with the massive number of credit card captains who fly through there, with no regard for others or how to be a safe and courteous boater
Thank you so much for your comment! I’ve been transiting the pass for over forty years now and I always give her respect. Now that I’m working for TowBoat US Falmouth, I have rendered assistance to many of the boats that find rocks in there. It’s heartbreaking to watch someone’s boating season ended and sometimes their boating career. I’m currently working on a video dedicated solely to getting through the pass safely. I hope to have it out soon! Thanks again!!!
@@boattrainingonline6561 I look forward to seeing that. I think it’s long overdue for a speed limit in WH, similar to the CC Canal. As a sailor, I can’t tell you how many times some moron in a power boat has blasted past me (on either side) and created a massive wake in a channel too narrow for me to turn into the swell and I’m subjected to outrageous rolling. It boggles my mind as well that Massachusetts, a state known for being a nanny state, requires absolutely zero training or licensing for people to take to the waters and put themselves and others at great risk. I’m sure you see the results of this all the time having to rescue and clean up after the results of having idiots with more money than brains, gravely underestimating the seriousness and potentially deadly consequences of their blissful ignorance.
@@stephencoulter9205I share your pain and it was the motivating factor for me starting this channel. I’ve seen too many heartbreaker. We’ve said the same thing about licensing for decades but I don’t see any movement in that direction. 😂I guess I’ll keep making these videos! Thank again for having the conversation.
Hello and thank you for sharing your enormous treasure of knowledge. “Red right returning to sea.” I’ve got that but we live on a barrier island of NJ and frequently travel the inland waterway where there are several inlets out to the ocean. I can never figure out how this phrase is applied in our situation. If I am headed south towards Hereford’s Inlet I am returning to sea and if I am headed North towards Townsend Inlet I am also returning to sea. So which is it? I hope that you can clear this up for me. Thanks again.
Thank you so much for your comment, Patricia! I'm sure this is just a mistake but it's "Red Right Returning FROM sea", I would hate for you to get confused. I was in some of the roughest seas I've ever been in of the coast of NJ. I was pretty sure we were all going to meet the maker that day. It was so rough a Russian grain ship broke apart 10 miles away from us and we couldn't response - it was too dangerous to deviate from our course. A Coast Guard helicopter picked up the crew. The Inter Coastal Waterway (ICW) is actually pretty cool and you get miss all of those fun seas I was just sharing with you. It's really worth your time to figure it out. Thanks again!
Always right red return.Its about the number on the buoy.They go up the further away from the start of the channel.Number one is the firs5 one to look for when entering a channel.If buoy is red and has green too it says you can go either side.
Hi Mike, I was hoping for the takeaway from the video to be that new boaters would review their intended course or where they want to go and try to figure out how the designer of the channel laid out the buoy system to ensure you remain in safe water. At the end of the day, that's the purpose of buoys. I recommend you're not only review your chart plotter but also have charts available too. Furthermore, lay down track lines while you are in a no stress environment and clearly understand where you are going. I should also point out at the time I made this video; I was ignorant of the fact that RUclips is SO global. I have caught tremendous heat from all over the world as the U.S. is the only one who have the buoy set up that we do. I'm not sure where you are located but this video was intended for U.S. users located in IALA system B. The Red and Green buoy you are asking about is called a "Preferred Channel" marker and is lettered not numbered. The predominate color represents the "Preferred" or main channel. The band represents the secondary channel and if you are using the secondary channel, treat the buoy as if the entire buoy was the color of the band. If I have not explained this well enough, please google "Preferred Channel Marker". Thank you so much for your comment.
The full logic is returning with the tide. Tides ebb as such: North on the west coast of NA. East over the NorthWest passage. South on the East coast of NA West at the south end is SA. In lakes, you need to know which side the river enters and which end it exits.
Oops, These IALA régions A and B ! When I stayed in The Netherlands - great sailors -, I have learned something simple (KISS): when returning from sea, it can be in rough seas, so do not think, just match green markers from your boat with the green buoys, and red with red. But why not in the US? Why there do you need to match the colors when leaving the shelter of a port? 😂
That’s awesome. I like to think it should all make sense and it does if you do your homework before you get underway. I can’t say enough about preparation. Thank you for your comment!
I like IALA System A because it Makes Sense. It would make sense to an exhausted mariner coming in from sea. Leave RED lights to port. Leave GREEN lights to starboard. Do this whether they're flashing or solid. How hard is that to understand? "Is there any RED PORT wine LEFT?"
Thank you for your comment! I’ve had several comments like yours, one Captain said it was common sense but unfortunately I see a lot of people taking Red buoys down the wrong side. Thanks again and thanks for watching!
Hello, 1st video I watched about buoys, I know more now than when it started, but still I got a lot to learn. It would help to understand better if you would draw on your board the shape of lets say, a section of the ICW somewhere, an inlet from the ocean, and its respective buoys and markers, or buoys in a river, and how a boater should navigate through them, it would be easier to get the picture, just an opinion, and thanks for the video and your time.
I have attached a couple of chartlets from the Coast Guard that I thick will help with your questions. If not, please reach out and I’ll try a different approach. Thank you so much for your comments, questions and suggestions! www.uscgboating.org/images/486.PDF www.pacificarea.uscg.mil/Portals/8/District_11/dp/PATON/Aids_To_Navigation_System.pdf
It's actually as you go from a larger body of water to a smaller then red buoy on your starboard side. Except in ICW or if you're in other parts of the world where it's reversed
Thanks for the video! Very informative! Forgive me for asking, but do the numbers on the red or green buoys indicate how far or how close you are from a harbor or marina (e.g. descending numbers mean your're getting closer to a harbor)?
The higher numbers simply mean it’s a longer channel. The beginning of the channel is 1 or 2 or together which we call a gate (Red & Green Go Between). The numbers get greater sequentially as the channel progresses. However, they skip numbers eg 1&2, 4, 6 the next green buoy would be 7 not 3. I hope that makes sense. Thank you so much for commenting!
@@boattrainingonline6561 Thanks for responding to my question! It sounds like the numbers do not necessarily tell us proximity to a harbor, but like you inferred the beginning/ending of a channel. So, the descending numbers could lead you to a harbor or to a junction in the channel.
@@richardl6188 It could but the absolute takeaway from this video and our conversation is getting with a chart or on your chart plotter and research where you’re going before you get there. Plotting out your courses in advance ensures a safer voyage. I was involved in a rescue in an area I was unfamiliar with and I hadn’t laid down track lines in advance, and it was at night. People’s lives were in jeopardy!The entire rescue was so stressful it’s knotting me up to think about it. My point is, I could have reduced my stress level by simply plotting my courses while sitting at the dock where I had plenty time and could look at all my options, figure out how the designer laid out the channel. I hope this helps and thank you for commenting!
I boated over 50 years and realized we were over in Europe, and all their navigational aids are reversed. My son told me that when we fought with the British, our country decided to make all our markers the opposite to screw with the enemy. We still keep it that way. It was funny when I was looking at the red markers when going to sea and green on the right, coming back into the harbor.
That can get you in trouble too. In my area, Vineyard Sound starts where Nantucket Sound ends. If you come into Vineyard Sound around Gay Head, the numbers are already in 30’s not to mention you still have Buzzard’s Bay to get through. You definitely need to consult your plotter or your charts to see how the channel was laid out. Thank you so much for commenting!
It's a shame the US use the opposite rules to everywhere else in the world, where a green buoy should be to your starboard side on returning to port. Port is recognised as Red and Starboard Green across the world for navigation lights, buoys etc. worth mentioning.
Still confusing. Your diagram is what I would see if I was heading out of Port. I couldn’t hear when you made it clear if you were talking about the side that the bouy passes the boat or the side that the boat passes the bouy. In Australia the Port marker is on the Port side of the boat when you are coming into Port. Port is Red in Australia. I’ve always understood that it’s an International system.
If you are in Australia, you are under a different buoy system than the U.S. There are 2 systems which are governed by: IALA which stands for the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities. The U.S. follows System B while Australia follows System A. A few views have pointed out that my video is not correct in Australia, however my intention for mariners to study their charts and figure out how the channel was laid out for safe passage holds true. Your channel designers put buoys in specific locations to help you safely navigate your boat. Which ever system you use, take time to plot your courses and stay in safe water. Thank you so much for commenting!
Your comments are confusing in themselves. Nautical terms should be used. Port and Starboard. These relate to the vessel. Left and right relate to your person.
Another way of thinking Red, Right, Return is going upstream. Rivers like to head to the sea which is “down river” so when you are going against the current Red!Right, Return.
just one thing, styrofoam cannot be recycled. it can be reused perhaps. also, the "from sea" used to trip me up as a teen! I was never taught that as a kid. my parents were French and I learned "Port wine is red" as a pneumonic
@@banjohappyIf you are in the USA and you are returning from sea, the red buoys should be on your right side or starboard side. However, this is just a rule of thumb. You should always consult your plotter or an actual chart to determine who the designer of the channel actually laid it out and where they determined safe water to be. Thank you so much for commenting.
I guess im just thankful all tbe channels ive ever been in are small enough you can see both color buoys and you stay in the middle no matter what side the colors are on 😂😂
People who spend time on the water, who rely on electronics, without having working knowledge of reading and plotting a paper chart and having access to charts are shorting themselves, assuming the system won't fail. GPS is only reliable when it works. Learning old school navigation isn't a bad thing and would come in hand when the unthinkable happens, and it happens.
Thank you so much for your comment and for subscribing!!! I hope to have lots of good old fashioned boat driving videos in the pipe and hope to fill the space with a couple of stories in the mean time. Welcome aboard!!!
So just for absolute clarity. I’m traveling out to see I keep the red numbered buoy on my right. Or am I keeping the bouy to my left? It was not clear which side of the bouy I am traveling . Yes I have zero experience.
Hi Ginge, I was hoping for the takeaway from the video to be that new boaters would review their intended course or where they want to go and try to figure out how the designer of the channel laid out the buoy system to ensure you remain in safe water. At the end of the day, that's the purpose of buoys. I recommend you're not only review your chart plotter but also have charts available too. Furthermore, lay down track lines while you are in a no stress environment and clearly understand where you are going. I should also point out at the time I made this video; I was ignorant of the fact that RUclips is SO global. I have caught tremendous heat from all over the world as the U.S. is the only one who have the buoy set up that we do. I'm not sure where you are located but this video was intended for U.S. users located in IALA system B. If you are in the U.S. and are leaving your port and going to sea - the Red buoys will now be on your Port side (left)Thank you so much for your comment.
PLEASE edit this, to add that the IALA system of bouyage, has TWO different regions, A and B. A being by far the largest geographical area, therefore this video is only correct on the coasts of the American continent, (with exceptions) Japan, N. and S. Korea and the Phillipines. I looked at this video because the still was, to my (European) mind, WRONG! In region A the buoyage runs north, and/or UP channel, even if the channel swings south.
Thank you for your comment. When I shot this video (one of my first) it was intended for the new boaters in my backyard. I didn’t realize how global RUclips’s reach was or that this video would get the response it has received. I am releasing a new video with everything you have mentioned. Thanks again.
There are several different buoy systems out which I encourage you to study if you’re going to travel in unfamiliar waters. I’ve attached a link that does a good job of explaining the lateral system. Thank you so much for your question and for commenting! en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lateral_mark
These videos while helpful require some fine tuning, The IALA has broken the world in to A and B regions but not quite fully adopted by all. I have worked in areas that are marked with green to starboard inbound But as is the catch all guideline; never rely solely on one aid to navigation.
I think some folks could be thinking "Homeport is Jacksonville, trip to Miami. All the way "out" to Miami, put the greens to my right.. then tomorrow, "RETURNING" to Jacksonville, put all the reds to my right".. Of course that's wrong, but people have made dumber mistakes before..
I agree and I was completely ignorant to the fact until a couple old boys from the "Land Down Under" roasted me and gave me a history lesson about our revolutionary war:) Apparently we did that to put British ships in harms way and never went back. Thank you so much for you comment.
According to the saying: Red Right Returning from sea - the red buoys should be on the right hand (starboard) side of your boat. Thank you for commenting!
I don’t think so, from all the skin that’s missing from my backside by all the Australian sailors who’ve watched this video. I think you guys are In System A but double check. Thank you so much for commenting!!!
Off the top of my head, it looks like a light house. Buoys are to close to the water's surface to be seen that far away. You'll find the best information on light characteristics from the Coast Guard's Light List Booklet.
That is a great video. But I would suggest that you tell people that the Red and Green only applies in the US. During the revolutionary war we reversed the red and green to screw up the British, and we never changed it back. The rest of the world uses the opposite. Take port to port when returning to port. Meaning take the red on the left (port) when returning. When an American travels outside the US, they should realize that places outside the US do actually exist.
Thank you so much for your comment! I had a couple O'L Boy's from the land down under straighten me out on that fact as soon as I dropped this video. I guess I need to get out of the U.S. more often:) I appreciate you!
If your teaching people to sail away , explore , teach them the correct way as in the rest of the world , red can to port for entry , or return from sea . 🤔
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I've watched boating RUclips videos for years. They've been entertaining. However, your videos are easy to follow, educational, thorough, and easy to remember! Thank you.
Wow, you just gave me goose bumps! Thank you so much, it's very kind of you to share. I've been doing this all of my life and this is how I want to close out the last chapter of my life - what a blessing.
Captain, thank you so very much for this video. For many years ive questioned how the bouy system is laid out in the waterways in the area that I live in. Starting at 5:35 to 11:35 of your video, you just cleared up years of confusion and wrong answers Ive been told. Now that ive watched your video, the lightbulb went off and PRESTO, I totally understand now. Thank you sir!
Thank you so much for sharing!!!
I learned a lot from Coast Guard training. The Red Right Returning always included returning from sea. I remember 3 types of buoys. Nun, can and spar.
Thank you so much for your comment!!!
you'll come to grief in ANY other port. USA is reverse to the rest of the world.
I learned in the Navy Red right Upstream or Into port (RRUI) and Green right Downstream or out to sea (GRDO). Thanks for teaching this class to the uninformed. I've seen the same ignorance for the last 50+ years since I left the US Navy. Good Job!!!
Thank you for comment, I like that!
Going around Staten Island same holds true: Ambrose channel, Narrows, Bay Ridge channel meets Hudson meets Kill Van Kull channel meets Newark Bay channel meets Arthur Kill channel meets Raritan Bay channel meets Raritan River Cutoff channel.... add channels for each individual port...heavy commercial traffic ....and in haze from wildfires smoke it is hard to tell color without binoculars ...add a bit of GPS lag. and it can get interesting even in middle of the day, ... done it once, it was fun, not sure I want to do it again...lol
Thank you so much for sharing and for commenting!!!
Red right return made perfect sense to me, here’s why. In the coast guard class I took they told us that channels are layed out/ marked ‘go to sea , just like going around that island. ‘. When you’re going to sea Green is starboard and red is port just like the lights on your boat. If you think of it that way you should be able to remember and figure out where you’re supposed to be.
Thank you so much for your comment!
In a simple geography, red, right, return works great. But, if you are boating in a bay that has lots of islands and multiple ports it isn't always clear. For example, in my local bay there are lots and lots of islands. There's a channel between two of those islands that is essentially parallel to shore. There's a path to multiple harbors in each direction, and there's a path to open ocean in each direction. So, which way is "return"? I initially guessed that "return" would be heading in the direction of the largest and closest harbor from the wider channel to the sea, but I was wrong. I'm sure there's solid logic behind the design, but I don't know what it is. The point is, you can't 100% depend on red, right, return. After being confused a few times, I now always have a chart (paper or electronic) readily available to be able to reference if needed.
@@paulfrank8738Outstanding and you have arrived at the point of the video. You should always consult your plotter or a chart. This is kinda old school but I still do it to this day: I plot all my courses in all of the harbors / channels I go or could go into. I do this at the dock where I can zoom in and take my time to figure things out. Now - no stress!
I learned this the hard way on a rescue I responded to with people’s lives hang on the other end. I hadn’t laid down track line, it was night and as dark as the inside of your pocket. The stress knots my stomach up just to think about it. I remember thinking how dumb not to have taken control of the things I could control like plotting those course. I couldn’t control the weather or the darkness or the fact that these guys needed help but the courses! Sorry that this is so long but it’s exactly why I started this channel in the first place. Thank you so much for commenting!
Holy crap thanks I’m learning an that’s a good note …. But what I’m confused about is if I need to stay between them how do I get it on the star side without leaving channel
Thank you so much for sharing and for commenting!!!
Thank you for your efforts to educate the boating public. As a land-locked Canadian boater who can’t always point to the sea from the various bodies of water I frequent, I’ve come to equate “returning” to mean returning to port, er I mean, harbour. But I too have been hoodwinked by rounding a point and suddenly realizing everything was bass-ackwards. Keeps this pastime interesting for sure!
Thank you so much for your comment!!!
This is a good video...thank you. When on the Rhine in Germany last year I noted to the ship captain that he was on the wrong side of the buoys! I found out that Europe uses the System A of buoys, and there it is Red Left Return from the Sea!
"In Europe, the position of each buoy is such that on exiting a harbor or channel the red marks or Port marks will be kept on your right hand side, while on entering a harbor or buoyed channel the green or Starboard mark will be kept to your right"
I was embarrassed.
Thank you so much for your comment! LOL, me too!!! A couple of O’L Boys from the “Land Down Under” schooled me in these facts when I first put this video and then they gave me a history lesson of my own country. Oh well, even old dogs can learn something new! Thanks again.
Thank you for this. I'm on the water in a very low draft, slow moving craft (a kayak) so I'm not concerned about hitting the bottom, but everybody benefits if I can understand where other craft are being channeled so I can avoid unnecessarily getting in the way (and in the wakes).
Absolutely, thank you for commenting!!!
Hello Sir, I would like to make this comment. As much as you say that Red Right Returning is an incomplete statement, also you may wish to consider that as you reach out to your audience, it is an international audience that you address. With that in mind, it maybe a point to mention that the system of buoyage you describe is for North, Central and South America, Japan, Korea and the Philippines, the IALA system B. The rest of the world uses IALA system A, which reverses the shapes and colors of the lateral markers. We have the term "Red to Red Returning from sea"
Perhaps the cabin cruiser you described, was unfamiliar with local waters... but, your point stands...know where you are and plan ahead
Thank you so much for your reply! I acknowledge your point about an international audience. A little humbling, I must admit. I have studied both systems while I was in the Coast Guard, but I love talking about the things I know firsthand. I don't have firsthand experience in those countries. I have been to Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean. I've been in and out of the ICW but have no experience in the western rivers. It was my sincere hope when I started this channel that I would meet people like you and have these conversations. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge, experience and your opinion. I hope our paths will cross in the future and we can continue this conversation over a hot cup of coffee.
@Boat Training Online I also like to speak of things that I have experience with or learned first hand, that's the great thing about this platform, it connects people from all over the world...BTW I would have the first clue about the ICW navigation, but if I find myself in that part of the world, I'd look up a contact such as yourself...keep up the content :)
@@clinty51
@@clinty51 Clint, just out of curiosity - where do you hail from?
@Shawn Pollard I live in Queenland Australia,
Thank you for your response to my question. RUclips blocked me from directly answering from your comment. Yes I’m in sunny Florida, USA. And your answer cleared things up.
Outstanding, thank you!
I like the island story. I haven't encountered that situation but I can see how it could be confusing. It makes sense now.
Good information to know, I travel/fish mostly on the Mississippi river pool 18 thank you!
Thank you for commenting!!!
What I learned is returning in the ICW (intercoastal waterway) is based a trip from ME to TX. So red right is on the land side and green is on the sea side as the ICW channel (mostly) parallels the US coast line. I remember this as red = stop = shallow so that is always the land side. What gets confusing is when two channels cross because as mentioned in your island example this can switch which "return" you are following. I have a very shallow draft boat (flats skiff) but still try to stay in between gates just to be predictable, if you short cut a marker that will confuse others navigating the area. Heck they might even try to follow you and run aground.
In FL we have letters for secondary markers like 22A. In this case the A was added due to a sand bar or other hazard or maybe in a tight area where a straight course between two markers wouldn't work. So just think of 22A as 22.5, they needed an extra marker but couldn't use 23 as that breaks the odd / even rule. As such you can just treat 22A the same as 22. And in very shallow area you might have private stakes which are just simple PVC poles shoved in the mud that have wooden arrows showing where the deep/safe side is. These aren't official government markers and thus don't show on charts.
I wish all markers had lights, I understand this isn't possible with buoys (cans/nuns) but on pylons this is totally possible with solar panels and batteries.
The best advice is to study a chart BEFORE heading out and familiarize yourself with local channels so you are not surprised. I even add points on my chart plotter/GPS and name them with warnings like slow, open, wide, tight or entrance... things to remind me of what to do in that area.
I'm a newbie and I'm loving this. Easy to understand when you explain it. Thank You Captain.
I learned (50 years ago) red on the right returning, green on the right going out. A complete statement of the rules which was helpful.
Fifty years ago would have been 1974. In 1974 all of the green buoys were black. In the early eighties the USCG changed the black to green. I guess the color green is easier to see in low light situations…vice black.
What is to be on the right the boat or the buoy?
@@AX01Adventures good point…I must have picked that up later on.
It's not a complete statement. If you meet an approaching vessel, somehow you have to distinguish it as a vessel and not a navigation marker. Not all markers are flashing, did you know that?
And then, for vessels, the rules apply exactly the OPPOSITE, don't they? You must leave a red light to port and a green light to starboard.
Hello from Westcoast Canada.We have red right returnihg.Returning to harbour. CHEERS from here!
Thank you so much for your comment, Darryl - I appreciate it!
I recalled, from a billion years ago (late 70's), that red was on the right, but I must have forgotten that it was when _returning from the sea_. I'd always wondered how this could possibly work because it must be with relationship to something or you'd pass on the wrong side. (I don't boat but I was interested as a kid and read a lot of the coast guard class material). Thanks for clearing that up.
Thank you so much for commenting!!!
a good example is traveling east into the cape cod canal the reds are off starboard, after you get thru the canal the reds switch to port side.
In my neck of the woods, Glen Island, New Rochelle, there is a series of red and green buoys aligned close to each other leading into the channel. You have to crisscross these markers accordingly leaving or returning to the channel. There is no margin for error. If you make an error, you end up on a pile of rocks just inches under the surface..
WoW! We have a body of water up here called Woods Hole Pass where 4 different channels converge. If you haven’t done your due diligent prior to entering, it could cost you your boating season. I’m in the process of making a video on the process for looking at how a channel is laid out. Thank you so much for sharing and for your comment!
Outstanding, thank you so much for sharing! I think a lot of viewers will get something from your technique! We’ll written!
Great Lakes Boater here, I was taught red on right when returning to Source, works the same as returning from sea.
That’s awesome, I don’t have any experience on the lakes. There’s some incredible Coast Guard stations and Cutters up there that I wish I could have served on but the closest I was offered was Niagara Falls. Thank you so much for commenting!
I have been misunderstanding the "Red Right Returning FROM SEA". Now, it makes sense. Thank You
Thank you so much for commenting!
Yes, Green going to sea, Red returning from sea. But it can be a bit confusing on waterways. For example, if you look at a chart for the Arthur Kill New York area, you will see on the Arthur Kill as you are traveling from New Jersey to the Hudson River, Buoys are Red on the Right but as you pass under the Goethals Bridge, the waterway curves to the right and you will see Green Buoys on the Right and Red Buoys on the Left on the same waterway. You need to watch your chart for this area.
You make an awesome point! More than likely, you are entering and exiting different channels. The best practice is to lay down your track lines prior to entering that body of water. Then there’s no surprises. You’ve laid these track lines down while you’re calm and not under stress. I have always done this because trying to rescue someone is stressful enough without adding something I have complete control over. Thank you so much for your comment!
Thank you for sharing this video.
A useful mnemonic when in the ICW is "Red Dirt, Green Sea"
😎I like it!!! Thank you for your comment!!!
Some parts of the world are under the IALA system A, where red buoys are to be passed on your port side when returning from the sea !
I try to always adhere to nav aids. Over 5000 hours on my boat 4 times to Alaska and back to Seattle. Navy aids are set for shipping that uses the channel. There is often enough water for small boats inside the nav aid. Essential to use your charts in connection to the nav aids
It makes the channel and nav aid purpose pretty clear.
I totally agree, thank you for your comment.
You have to reference charts for the area. When you leave Key West and turn west you hold the red on your right because you are returning to Gulf of Mexico.
Exactly, it’s all about reviewing your route be you leave. Thank you for your comment!!!
Good point. Ran aground years ago from three channels came together in Oyster, VA. Fishing where three channels come together and got turned around. North channel changes to outgoing. North channel wasn’t returning. Good thing the tide was coming in and pushed me back into channel.
I remember the first time I went around an island. Completely didn’t realize I was going back out to sea and I could not figure out why the buoys were on the wrong side. I felt pretty stupid when I figured it out but it threw completely over the handle bars. It’s easy to get turned around. Thank you so much for sharing!!!
The trouble with Woods Hole (in the days before chart plotters) you came through with the small scale area chart from Buzzards Bay into Vineyard Sound and the area chart stopped before getting to the end of the danger.
😂👍back in the day! Thank you for your comment!!!
I've heard that the reason that your system is different to that of most of the rest of the world on IALA System A is that your locals swapped the bouys to confuse the English during your battles for independence? Enemy ships floundered on bars and in shallows because of the confusion that ensued. Quite a clever and cheap defense! It seems to have some merit, and you simply never swapped back afterwards. So very American. ;) LOL Still, Australians and so many others simply can't watch these US-centric video training guides because they're frankly very, very incorrect for us.
Thank you so much for your comment, Chris! Clint, a fellow Aussie schooled me in this a couple of days ago. I was completely unaware and will have to pay close attention when I make it to the land down under. (definitely on my bucket list) I've never heard the war story, but it certainly makes sense to me. If it's any consolation, the skipper of the cabin cruiser didn't have an Australian accent;) Thanks again Mate!
Thank you so much for your comment and my back side is starting to back broken in from all you guys around the world😂
I will admit, I was completely Ignorant of the fact until a couple of O’L Boys from the Land Down Under school in the fact and gave me a history lesson to boot. You guys are all awesome!!!
I seriously doubt that Japan, Korea and Philipines (who also use System B) were aware of the Rev War. :)
@@ColinWu I did state "most of the rest of the world on IALA", not all of it. I also doubt that Japan, Korea and the Philippines had any real systems in place prior to the time of the Revolutionary war and merely adopted what the USA went with at some point. Do you have anything to show that's an incorrect assumption?
Port is red on the way in 😂
great video . I have a simple suggestion for the rule makers. a simple arrow on the bouy pointing to the safe side of the bouy to travel on . Similar to the arrow on the dash of your car beside the fuel pump symbol telling you what side of the car your gas cap is on. I don't think this would be a fix all but it may help keep the less informed out of trouble 90% of the time. Any kind of boat trouble sucks.
I like the way you think, great suggestion! Thank you for commenting!!!
One problem with it is an arrow is hard to see in bad weather.
As the captain explains, you want to stay between the buoys. The colors tell you whether you're coming or going from sea. In Jimmy Buffett's words, "keep it between the navigational beakers".
Great video. Thanks..i needed a refresher......question......these same rules apply to freshwater impoundments, big resevoirs? Ill assume the damn or lower lake is "to port" and going up lake is going " to sea" so to speak? thanks a bunch
IALA system B covers the U.S.. Western rivers have close but different rules adding current into the equation. Lakes who’s bank shores cross another state line (Great lakes, Tahoe, Champlain) have Coast Guard assets stationed on them who take responsibility for the aids to navigation. Lakes inside a state are dictated by that state. Fun fact, buoys are put out for the purpose of moving commerce. They just let us use them😂
If you're a long way from sea, you don't necessarily think about salt water, sea, ocean stuff. If you think "returning upstream", that will make more sense to most people. Inland folks will usually know upstream and downstream better than where the sea is. US rules, not necessarily other countries.
I like it, it brings me back to my roots! Thank you so much for commenting!!!
Wish you would talk about the transition to inland buoys. Caught me off guard the other day in a bay.
LMAO - I've got the T-Shirt on that one too! Took me about 10 minutes to figure out I was heading back out to sea. Still brings a smile to my face, thank you so much for commenting!!
Red right returning from sea if you are using the bigger entrance or major part of water
Thank you for your comment!
Thanks for your vid man … I’m learning in rivers been fishing tournaments (bass) an my friend been teaching me a lot and ppl don’t realize yes we can an do have a blast but danger is present if we are inexperienced anyway yesterday me an my friend was heading out of a river inlet to the bay side or to sea and was wander why this boat was heading straight at us an we was taking red bois to our right heading out but it worked out but I’m here to learn thank u
Thank you so much for sharing and for commenting.
Great video. I transit Woods Hole quite often during the summer and it’s my least favorite part of my trip as it’s as treacherous as you say, especially with the massive number of credit card captains who fly through there, with no regard for others or how to be a safe and courteous boater
Thank you so much for your comment! I’ve been transiting the pass for over forty years now and I always give her respect. Now that I’m working for TowBoat US Falmouth, I have rendered assistance to many of the boats that find rocks in there. It’s heartbreaking to watch someone’s boating season ended and sometimes their boating career. I’m currently working on a video dedicated solely to getting through the pass safely. I hope to have it out soon! Thanks again!!!
@@boattrainingonline6561 I look forward to seeing that. I think it’s long overdue for a speed limit in WH, similar to the CC Canal. As a sailor, I can’t tell you how many times some moron in a power boat has blasted past me (on either side) and created a massive wake in a channel too narrow for me to turn into the swell and I’m subjected to outrageous rolling. It boggles my mind as well that Massachusetts, a state known for being a nanny state, requires absolutely zero training or licensing for people to take to the waters and put themselves and others at great risk. I’m sure you see the results of this all the time having to rescue and clean up after the results of having idiots with more money than brains, gravely underestimating the seriousness and potentially deadly consequences of their blissful ignorance.
@@stephencoulter9205I share your pain and it was the motivating factor for me starting this channel. I’ve seen too many heartbreaker. We’ve said the same thing about licensing for decades but I don’t see any movement in that direction. 😂I guess I’ll keep making these videos! Thank again for having the conversation.
Hello and thank you for sharing your enormous treasure of knowledge.
“Red right returning to sea.” I’ve got that but we live on a barrier island of NJ and frequently travel the inland waterway where there are several inlets out to the ocean. I can never figure out how this phrase is applied in our situation. If I am headed south towards Hereford’s Inlet I am returning to sea and if I am headed North towards Townsend Inlet I am also returning to sea. So which is it? I hope that you can clear this up for me. Thanks again.
Oops, I asked too soon…the mainland. Ah ha, makes sense…..thanks again.
Thank you so much for your comment, Patricia! I'm sure this is just a mistake but it's "Red Right Returning FROM sea", I would hate for you to get confused. I was in some of the roughest seas I've ever been in of the coast of NJ. I was pretty sure we were all going to meet the maker that day. It was so rough a Russian grain ship broke apart 10 miles away from us and we couldn't response - it was too dangerous to deviate from our course. A Coast Guard helicopter picked up the crew.
The Inter Coastal Waterway (ICW) is actually pretty cool and you get miss all of those fun seas I was just sharing with you. It's really worth your time to figure it out. Thanks again!
Always right red return.Its about the number on the buoy.They go up the further away from the start of the channel.Number one is the firs5 one to look for when entering a channel.If buoy is red and has green too it says you can go either side.
Hi Mike, I was hoping for the takeaway from the video to be that new boaters would review their intended course or where they want to go and try to figure out how the designer of the channel laid out the buoy system to ensure you remain in safe water. At the end of the day, that's the purpose of buoys. I recommend you're not only review your chart plotter but also have charts available too. Furthermore, lay down track lines while you are in a no stress environment and clearly understand where you are going.
I should also point out at the time I made this video; I was ignorant of the fact that RUclips is SO global. I have caught tremendous heat from all over the world as the U.S. is the only one who have the buoy set up that we do. I'm not sure where you are located but this video was intended for U.S. users located in IALA system B.
The Red and Green buoy you are asking about is called a "Preferred Channel" marker and is lettered not numbered. The predominate color represents the "Preferred" or main channel. The band represents the secondary channel and if you are using the secondary channel, treat the buoy as if the entire buoy was the color of the band. If I have not explained this well enough, please google "Preferred Channel Marker". Thank you so much for your comment.
I was taught...red on left when daylight is left( going out of a channel) red on right when when you come in at night( returning to harbor)
The full logic is returning with the tide.
Tides ebb as such:
North on the west coast of NA.
East over the NorthWest passage.
South on the East coast of NA
West at the south end is SA.
In lakes, you need to know which side the river enters and which end it exits.
Thank you so much for your comment!!!
Oops, These IALA régions A and B !
When I stayed in The Netherlands - great sailors -, I have learned something simple (KISS): when returning from sea, it can be in rough seas, so do not think, just match green markers from your boat with the green buoys, and red with red.
But why not in the US? Why there do you need to match the colors when leaving the shelter of a port? 😂
I learned it “ Green right going, Red right returning” to sea. No matter where I was, I wanted to be between the markers.
Thank you so much commenting!!!
I started my boating in san Diego, and I guess I just naturally figured it out because of the local geography.
That’s awesome. I like to think it should all make sense and it does if you do your homework before you get underway. I can’t say enough about preparation. Thank you for your comment!
Note to sailors that these are USA rules and in other parts of the world the red / green buoy rules can be the opposite.
Thank you so much for your comment!
Absolutely essential 🙌 thank you Captain!
not a boater at all but appreciate the lesson 👍
Thank you so much for commenting!!!
An old sailor (and sailing instructor) taught me to always use “Green Port on Entry”
I like IALA System A because it Makes Sense. It would make sense to an exhausted mariner coming in from sea.
Leave RED lights to port. Leave GREEN lights to starboard. Do this whether they're flashing or solid. How hard is that to understand?
"Is there any RED PORT wine LEFT?"
😂 Thank you so much for your comment!!!
I agree with getting to the point sooner. The title of this video is misleading. Of course “returning” refers to from sea or to port.
Thank you for your comment! I’ve had several comments like yours, one Captain said it was common sense but unfortunately I see a lot of people taking Red buoys down the wrong side. Thanks again and thanks for watching!
Hello, 1st video I watched about buoys, I know more now than when it started, but still I got a lot to learn. It would help to understand better if you would draw on your board the shape of lets say, a section of the ICW somewhere, an inlet from the ocean, and its respective buoys and markers, or buoys in a river, and how a boater should navigate through them, it would be easier to get the picture, just an opinion, and thanks for the video and your time.
I have attached a couple of chartlets from the Coast Guard that I thick will help with your questions. If not, please reach out and I’ll try a different approach. Thank you so much for your comments, questions and suggestions!
www.uscgboating.org/images/486.PDF
www.pacificarea.uscg.mil/Portals/8/District_11/dp/PATON/Aids_To_Navigation_System.pdf
Another caveat with respect to the intercoastal waterway the rules are a little different and you can easily be confused by red right return from sea.
Absolutely, extremely good point! Thank you so much for your comment!!!
It's actually as you go from a larger body of water to a smaller then red buoy on your starboard side. Except in ICW or if you're in other parts of the world where it's reversed
Thank you so much for commenting!!!
Thanks for the video! Very informative! Forgive me for asking, but do the numbers on the red or green buoys indicate how far or how close you are from a harbor or marina (e.g. descending numbers mean your're getting closer to a harbor)?
The higher numbers simply mean it’s a longer channel. The beginning of the channel is 1 or 2 or together which we call a gate (Red & Green Go Between). The numbers get greater sequentially as the channel progresses. However, they skip numbers eg 1&2, 4, 6 the next green buoy would be 7 not 3. I hope that makes sense. Thank you so much for commenting!
@@boattrainingonline6561 Thanks for responding to my question! It sounds like the numbers do not necessarily tell us proximity to a harbor, but like you inferred the beginning/ending of a channel. So, the descending numbers could lead you to a harbor or to a junction in the channel.
@@richardl6188
It could but the absolute takeaway from this video and our conversation is getting with a chart or on your chart plotter and research where you’re going before you get there. Plotting out your courses in advance ensures a safer voyage. I was involved in a rescue in an area I was unfamiliar with and I hadn’t laid down track lines in advance, and it was at night. People’s lives were in jeopardy!The entire rescue was so stressful it’s knotting me up to think about it. My point is, I could have reduced my stress level by simply plotting my courses while sitting at the dock where I had plenty time and could look at all my options, figure out how the designer laid out the channel. I hope this helps and thank you for commenting!
@@shawnpollard4481 Yes, it does help! I appreciate you taking the time to explain the buoy system, and thank you for your service! God Bless! 😀
I boated over 50 years and realized we were over in Europe, and all their navigational aids are reversed. My son told me that when we fought with the British, our country decided to make all our markers the opposite to screw with the enemy. We still keep it that way. It was funny when I was looking at the red markers when going to sea and green on the right, coming back into the harbor.
😂I got school on that very subject by some guys in Australia! Thank you for sharing and for commenting!!!
I always thought it was returning from a larger body of water to a smaller body of water.
That can get you in trouble too. In my area, Vineyard Sound starts where Nantucket Sound ends. If you come into Vineyard Sound around Gay Head, the numbers are already in 30’s not to mention you still have Buzzard’s Bay to get through. You definitely need to consult your plotter or your charts to see how the channel was laid out. Thank you so much for commenting!
Thank you… I need this training.
Depends where you are.
I hold a Master Captain, great video. I never watched one of your videos before. This video made me subscribe.
Please help yourself, I’ve got more coming and we can use all the experience we can get. Thank you so much for your comment!
Returning to port.
Thank you for your comment!!!
When you can go from one port to another without going “to sea”, the colors have to switch sides at some point.
VERY HELPFUL
It's a shame the US use the opposite rules to everywhere else in the world, where a green buoy should be to your starboard side on returning to port. Port is recognised as Red and Starboard Green across the world for navigation lights, buoys etc. worth mentioning.
I can’t argue with you and I completely agree with your logic! I guess we play the cards we’re dealt. Thank you so much for commenting!
Still confusing. Your diagram is what I would see if I was heading out of Port. I couldn’t hear when you made it clear if you were talking about the side that the bouy passes the boat or the side that the boat passes the bouy. In Australia the Port marker is on the Port side of the boat when you are coming into Port. Port is Red in Australia. I’ve always understood that it’s an International system.
If you are in Australia, you are under a different buoy system than the U.S. There are 2 systems which are governed by: IALA which stands for the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities. The U.S. follows System B while Australia follows System A. A few views have pointed out that my video is not correct in Australia, however my intention for mariners to study their charts and figure out how the channel was laid out for safe passage holds true. Your channel designers put buoys in specific locations to help you safely navigate your boat. Which ever system you use, take time to plot your courses and stay in safe water. Thank you so much for commenting!
For over ten years you haven't had to do or learn any of this. You simple set your GPS on you phone and away you go.
Thanks for those points
Your comments are confusing in themselves. Nautical terms should be used. Port and Starboard. These relate to the vessel. Left and right relate to your person.
Might be worth mentioning that this does not apply in the UK and Europe. Here buoyage is laid out to be viewed in the direction of the flood tide.
I've got an apology coming in my next video! Thank you so much for commenting.
Outstanding Chief
Thank you very much Tim!
Another way of thinking Red, Right, Return is going upstream. Rivers like to head to the sea which is “down river” so when you are going against the current Red!Right, Return.
Thank you so much for sharing!!!
Wow I guess I thought everyone already knew that
Thank you for commenting!
whether or not he was coming or going you need to be BETWEEN the red and green
Seem simple right? Thank you for your comment!
just one thing, styrofoam cannot be recycled. it can be reused perhaps. also, the "from sea" used to trip me up as a teen! I was never taught that as a kid. my parents were French and I learned "Port wine is red" as a pneumonic
Thank you for your comment.
But port is left, not right. Returning from sea, you want the red buoy on your starboard side.
@@banjohappy I meant a mnemonic for remembering the order of boat lights.
@@banjohappyIf you are in the USA and you are returning from sea, the red buoys should be on your right side or starboard side. However, this is just a rule of thumb. You should always consult your plotter or an actual chart to determine who the designer of the channel actually laid it out and where they determined safe water to be. Thank you so much for commenting.
Just curious, but how did they work the RRR on the East Coast ICW?
That’s an apple and the other is an orange. Two different systems. Thank you for your comment!!!
I guess im just thankful all tbe channels ive ever been in are small enough you can see both color buoys and you stay in the middle no matter what side the colors are on 😂😂
Thank you so much for commenting!!!
People who spend time on the water, who rely on electronics, without having working knowledge of reading and plotting a paper chart and having access to charts are shorting themselves, assuming the system won't fail.
GPS is only reliable when it works.
Learning old school navigation isn't a bad thing and would come in hand when the unthinkable happens, and it happens.
Just found your channel, Captain Shawn! So glad to see you! Great teaching. New subscriber:-)
Thank you so much for your comment and for subscribing!!!
I hope to have lots of good old fashioned boat driving videos in the pipe and hope to fill the space with a couple of stories in the mean time. Welcome aboard!!!
So just for absolute clarity. I’m traveling out to see I keep the red numbered buoy on my right. Or am I keeping the bouy to my left? It was not clear which side of the bouy I am traveling . Yes I have zero experience.
Hi Ginge, I was hoping for the takeaway from the video to be that new boaters would review their intended course or where they want to go and try to figure out how the designer of the channel laid out the buoy system to ensure you remain in safe water. At the end of the day, that's the purpose of buoys. I recommend you're not only review your chart plotter but also have charts available too. Furthermore, lay down track lines while you are in a no stress environment and clearly understand where you are going.
I should also point out at the time I made this video; I was ignorant of the fact that RUclips is SO global. I have caught tremendous heat from all over the world as the U.S. is the only one who have the buoy set up that we do. I'm not sure where you are located but this video was intended for U.S. users located in IALA system B.
If you are in the U.S. and are leaving your port and going to sea - the Red buoys will now be on your Port side (left)Thank you so much for your comment.
PLEASE edit this, to add that the IALA system of bouyage, has TWO different regions, A and B. A being by far the largest geographical area, therefore this video is only correct on the coasts of the American continent, (with exceptions) Japan, N. and S. Korea and the Phillipines. I looked at this video because the still was, to my (European) mind, WRONG! In region A the buoyage runs north, and/or UP channel, even if the channel swings south.
Thank you for your comment. When I shot this video (one of my first) it was intended for the new boaters in my backyard. I didn’t realize how global RUclips’s reach was or that this video would get the response it has received. I am releasing a new video with everything you have mentioned. Thanks again.
Great now I'm more confused than ever. I'll just go slow and keep my eyes peeled.
Forgive my ignorance, and I am sure many others, what do yo mean by "lateral buoy system"?
There are several different buoy systems out which I encourage you to study if you’re going to travel in unfamiliar waters. I’ve attached a link that does a good job of explaining the lateral system. Thank you so much for your question and for commenting!
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lateral_mark
These videos while helpful require some fine tuning, The IALA has broken the world in to A and B regions but not quite fully adopted by all. I have worked in areas that are marked with green to starboard inbound But as is the catch all guideline; never rely solely on one aid to navigation.
Red right return is correct, if you are in the channel. There, you can skip the video
Thank you for commenting!
I think some folks could be thinking "Homeport is Jacksonville, trip to Miami. All the way "out" to Miami, put the greens to my right.. then tomorrow, "RETURNING" to Jacksonville, put all the reds to my right"..
Of course that's wrong, but people have made dumber mistakes before..
Thank you so much for your comment!
How about this one: the slower you travel the less can unravel
I like it. I always say, "the faster you go the more expensive the repairs". Thank you for commenting.
How about inland Southeastern lakes? Are the the same?
I'm not sure I understand the question.
I find it so frustrating Europe and US are the exact opposite in this regard.
I agree and I was completely ignorant to the fact until a couple old boys from the "Land Down Under" roasted me and gave me a history lesson about our revolutionary war:) Apparently we did that to put British ships in harms way and never went back. Thank you so much for you comment.
@boattrainingonline6561 well now I have learnt something new 😃
What is to be on the right the boat or the buoy?
According to the saying: Red Right Returning from sea - the red buoys should be on the right hand (starboard) side of your boat. Thank you for commenting!
Red Right Return in Australia.
I don’t think so, from all the skin that’s missing from my backside by all the Australian sailors who’ve watched this video. I think you guys are In System A but double check. Thank you so much for commenting!!!
Great job!
What type of buoy/beacon would show this FI (4) 15s 28m 12m ?
Off the top of my head, it looks like a light house. Buoys are to close to the water's surface to be seen that far away. You'll find the best information on light characteristics from the Coast Guard's Light List Booklet.
Woods hole is not the place to get this wrong lol!!!
I absolutely agree!!! Thank you for your comment!
Thank you very helpful
So red right returning against the current?
Thank you for your comment!
wrong - ICW starts in Boston and ends in Brownsville
Thank you for commenting.
I always associated Red Right Return (home).
Red Right From Larger Body of Water to Smaller Body of Water
That is a great video. But I would suggest that you tell people that the Red and Green only applies in the US. During the revolutionary war we reversed the red and green to screw up the British, and we never changed it back. The rest of the world uses the opposite. Take port to port when returning to port. Meaning take the red on the left (port) when returning. When an American travels outside the US, they should realize that places outside the US do actually exist.
Thank you so much for your comment! I had a couple O'L Boy's from the land down under straighten me out on that fact as soon as I dropped this video. I guess I need to get out of the U.S. more often:) I appreciate you!
Wrong, both Canada and Mexico use red, right, returning.
I’ve always used Red Right Up. For Upstream.
I like it! Thank you so much for commenting!!!
If your teaching people to sail away , explore , teach them the correct way as in the rest of the world , red can to port for entry , or return from sea . 🤔
Thank you so much for you comment David!