Why? To safely transit from one place to another.
Aids to Navigation (ATON)
Better Bay Alliance (BBA) | February 2026
Objectives:
- Identify the Navigation Systems
- Identify the Types of ATONs
- Understand each type of Regulatory Buoy
Bouys and Beacons
Two Types of Aids to Navigation
Buoys and Beacons; Both have various shapes, sounds and light characteristics.
Buoys float and beacons are affixed to land.
Bouys
Lighted Bouys
Beacons
Green or red lateral aids show channel edges & rocks
In a channel in NA, all you have to remember is, Red right Returning
For Green buoys, not in a channel, always stay outside from shore
For Red over Green or vice versa aids, they mark a channel center with indication of the preferred channel (top color)
US ATONs
US Aids to Navigation
Navigation aids in this lateral system are determined by their position with respect to the navigable channel, as the channels are entered and followed from seaward toward the head of navigation.
- Green Aids – Odd Numbered
- Red Aids – Even Numbered
- Red Right – Returning applies
US
Regulatory
