1. Instructors: George Crowl
ABL-9
Able
Navigation Rules
This PowerPoint is provided for those who may not have appropriate training aids available in a ship or location. This generally follows a companion lesson plan available at I expect you to modify it to fit your situation and teaching style. I am more concerned that Scouts learn than this fit a specific style. I am, however, a fan of the Effective Teaching model. Teaching EDGE is somewhat simplistic in its approach, but that has some advantages.
Note: These lesson plans may also be used for teaching in the ship. For administrative convenience, they cover the entire specific numbered requirement (except one, where Galley is covered separately!). Individual Sea Scout Academy lessons may only cover part of the requirements. Similarly, ships may find that even just a portion of a subrequirement is all that can be done during a particular ship meeting. Adapt these lessons as needed to fit your youth and your situation. Share these plans with your youth who are teaching.
Philosophy: Sea Scout Academy’s primary purpose is to teach the material to the Sea Scout. If the Sea Scout demonstrates mastery of parts of the subject, then the instructor should annotate on the class roster what has been passed, in the instructor’s opinion. Skippers have the right to re-examine any Sea Scout in any requirement. (Knots are not a good subject to give a pass in.)
Instructors: George Crowl

2. Course Outline
a. Demonstrate a working knowledge of Navigation Rules, International and Inland.
b. Explain vessel lights and day shapes for the following: towing (astern, alongside, pushing ahead, and cannot deviate), fishing, trawling, restricted maneuverability, not under command, underwater operations, constrained by draft, dredging, aground, and sailing vessels under power.
Requirements:9. Navigation Rules
a. Demonstrate a working knowledge of Navigation Rules, International and Inland.
b. Explain vessel lights for the following: towing (astern, alongside, pushing ahead, and cannot deviate), fishing, trawling, restricted maneuverability, underwater operations, constrained by draft, and aground.
c. Describe special lights and day shapes deployed on the following vessels: not under command, restricted by ability to maneuver, constrained by draft, fishing (trawling), and sailing vessels under power.
d. Understand the system of aids to navigation employed in your area. Include buoys, lights, and daymarks, and their significance and corresponding chart symbols.
e. Read in detail a National Ocean Service (NOS) chart, preferably for the area normally cruised by your ship, identifying all marks on it.
f. Explain the use of tide tables, current tables, light lists, and how to update a chart using the Notice to Mariners.
Reference: See "Navigation Rules" on page 157; “Rule 2—Responsibility” pp ; “Situations for Proper Maneuvering” pp ; “Rule 18— “Responsibility Between Vessels” p. 161; “Lights and Shapes” pp and 221; “Rule 34” and “Rule 35” pp
Equipment Required: Flashlights with red, green and white lenses may simulate a vessel at night. Any noisemaker may simulate a whistle or horn. There are hand-pump air horns that may be used, but are very loud and should be used outdoors.
Ratio: 1:6 Instructor:Student, youth make good assistants.

3. Course Outline
c. Understand the system of aids to navigation employed in your area. Include buoys, lights, and daymarks, and their significance and corresponding chart symbols.
d. Read in detail a National Ocean Service (NOS) chart, preferably for the area normally cruised by your ship, identifying all marks on it.
Requirements:9. Navigation Rules
a. Demonstrate a working knowledge of Navigation Rules, International and Inland.
b. Explain vessel lights for the following: towing (astern, alongside, pushing ahead, and cannot deviate), fishing, trawling, restricted maneuverability, underwater operations, constrained by draft, and aground.
c. Describe special lights and day shapes deployed on the following vessels: not under command, restricted by ability to maneuver, constrained by draft, fishing (trawling), and sailing vessels under power.
d. Understand the system of aids to navigation employed in your area. Include buoys, lights, and daymarks, and their significance and corresponding chart symbols.
e. Read in detail a National Ocean Service (NOS) chart, preferably for the area normally cruised by your ship, identifying all marks on it.
f. Explain the use of tide tables, current tables, light lists, and how to update a chart using the Notice to Mariners.
Reference: See "Navigation Rules" on page 157; “Rule 2—Responsibility” pp ; “Situations for Proper Maneuvering” pp ; “Rule 18— “Responsibility Between Vessels” p. 161; “Lights and Shapes” pp and 221; “Rule 34” and “Rule 35” pp
Equipment Required: Flashlights with red, green and white lenses may simulate a vessel at night. Any noisemaker may simulate a whistle or horn. There are hand-pump air horns that may be used, but are very loud and should be used outdoors.
Ratio: 1:6 Instructor:Student, youth make good assistants.

4. ABL-9a
a. Demonstrate a working knowledge of Navigation Rules, International and Inland. D

5. Rules of the Road Like traffic rules on our highways
Inland and International Rules are very similar, in one document on-line
“Demonstrate” means “do it” on the water
In addition, show knowledge of what to do in less likely circumstances
This is usually done by observing the Scout at the helm or as boatswain, with informal quizzes as the opportunities arise.
The Rules of the Road are like the traffic rules on our streets and highways. They provide a safe and effective way for vessels to maneuver on the water that has some preferred routes, but in many cases is just like a big empty parking lot with cars driving randomly across it. It is not a good place to play bumper cars. Inland and International Navigation Rules are very similar. The US Coast Guard publishes both on-line in one file at Most sections have no differences. “Demonstrating a working knowledge” means that you should show that you know what you are doing when you are underway and serving as the boatswain of the vessel, or advising the boatswain. If you are inland, use the Inland rules. If you are outside the “Line of Demarcation,” use the International rules. The key is that you don't have to ask, you can just “do” without asking or coaching. You may be asked about some less likely situations to prove you know your stuff.

6. ABL-9b
b. Explain vessel lights and day shapes for the following: towing (astern, alongside, pushing ahead, and cannot deviate), fishing, trawling, restricted maneuverability, not under command, underwater operations, constrained by draft, dredging, aground, and sailing vessels under power.
This can be done by verbal quiz, or presenting images of the lights. In this section, I will also include appropriate day shapes, as I find it useful to have the Scout relate both the light and day shapes to the situation.
I combine ABL-9b and 9c into one continuous presentation, based on moving up the vessel priority list. Thus, I hope to build on ORD-9. At the end of 9b/c, there is a quiz to try to reinforce the knowledge. This quiz may be used independently if desired.

7. Dayshapes Seen during day Serve same functions as lights at night
Hoisted vertically in rigging
Diamond (white light)
Ball (usually red light)
Cone (green or red light)
Cylinder (3 red lights)
Dayshapes – Dayshapes are displayed vertically in the rigging of the ship where they can be seen from a distance.
Ball
Cone
Diamond
Cylinder
The meaning of the shape often (but not always) relates to the color of light indicated
See the lights on SSM p This is comprehensive. As an aid to memorization, think also of the day shapes, and the vessel priority. Scouts must expect to do some rote memorization, but working from #1 to #15 (in other words UP the vessel priority list) will dispose of three important needs at once.

8. Review – Navigation Lights
Red, green and white
Green – bow to 112.5° starboard
Red – bow to 112.5° port
White – relative bearing 112.5° to 247.5°
NOTE: The red and green navigation light and the white stern light are designed to complement the rules of the road. If you see a white stern light, you are overtaking. If you see a red or green light, you are crossing. If you see red and green, you are meeting.
Navigation lights are required from sunset to sunrise. Each vessel is normally required to carry a starboard green light visible from 0° to 112.5° relative bearing, a port red light from 247.5° to 360°, and an aft white light from 112.5° to 247.5°.
Power driven vessels display a white light on a mast visible from 247.5° to ° relative bearing. This includes sailboats under power.
Power driven boats under 12 meters (39.6 ft) may display an all-around white light in place of the two white lights.
Sailboats under sail may display a green over red light at the top of the mast.
Sailboats under 20 meters (66 ft) may display a combination red, green, white light at the mast top.
Anchored vessels display one white light at the mast top. 50 meter vessels will have a lower light and 100 meter will have deck lights. (Rules 20-23, 25, 30)

9. Lights on Towed Vessel
Normally, towed vessel displays standard sidelights and sternlight.
Remember, towed vessel has less maneuverability
A towed vessel displays standard sidelights and sternlight.

10. Lights Towing Astern <200M
Normal power lights
+ One masthead light (= two total)
+ One yellow stern light
“Yellow over white, my towline is tight”
Remember, all towing = less maneuverability
A vessel towing astern, with the stern of the tow less than 200 meters behind the stern of the towing vessel, shall display two masthead lights (one more than normal) and a yellow stern light over the normal white stern light. It does not display a diamond day shape in the rigging.
Yellow over white, my towline is tight.

11. Lights Towing Astern >200M
Three masthead lights
(Also a diamond day shape)
A vessel towing astern with the stern of the towed vessel more than 200 meters behind the stern of the towing vessel. Display three masthead lights (two more than normal). Also, display a diamond day shape in the rigging.
A long towline is more likely to submerge and not be visible.

12. Lights When Pushing Rigidly Connected
Regarded as a power-driven vessel
Rule 24b - A vessel pushing while rigidly connected (a composite unit) displays a starboard green light, a port red light, a white masthead light, and a white sternlight. Identical to a normal power boat.
However, a barge connected by lines, hawsers, wires, or chains is not a composite unit! This rule does not apply to almost all of what we see and might think is rigidly connected!
This slide is hidden because rigidly connected vessels are uncommon. If you need to show it, unhide the slide.

13. Towing Alongside Towed vessel has standard lighting
Two masthead lights, side lights
International – one white
sternlight
Inland – two yellow towing lights
“Yellow over yellow, a push- ing or hip towing fellow.”
International -
Towing
Two masthead lights
Red / green sidelights
One stern light (white)
Towed
White sternlight
Inland -
Two towing lights (yellow)
Towed – as above
Inland – Yellow over yellow, a pushing or hip towing fellow.

14. Lights Pushing Ahead Pushed vessel has sidelights (+ flashing Inland)
Pushing vessel has two mastlights and sidelights
International – Pushing vessel white sternlight
Inland – Pushing vessel two yellow towing lights
Note – same rules as towing alongside (24c)
International -
Pushing
Two masthead lights
Red / green sidelights
One stern light (white)
Pushed
No sternlight
Inland -
Two towing lights (yellow)
Pushed – as above
Plus – special yellow flashing light
NO day shape.

15. Towing Cannot Deviate
Towing vessel shows both towing lights and restricted maneuverability lights
Two / three towing lights on top
Red / white / red lights below them
Ball / diamond / ball dayshape
Show both towing and restricted maneuverability lights, and the restricted maneuverability dayshape..

16. Sailing Vessel Under Power
Sails may be up
Dayshape – cone, apex down, on front of
boat
Normal sidelights and sternlight
One 225° mast light, usually about 2/3
way up the mast
Colloquially called “steaming”
light
A sailing vessel under power is a power vessel.
The dayshape or the light may be masked by the jib / genoa / spinnaker. Steaming light should shine on the jib, but may not be seen on the other side.

17. Sailing Vessel Under Sail
Any of the light combinations below
Red over green, sailing machine
This is a review of the lights for sailing vessels that should have been learned for Ordinary 9.

18. Fishing Vessel
Applies only to fishing that restricts maneuverability (mostly commercial)
Must be actively engaged in fishing
“Red over white, fishing tonight”
Dayshape – cones, apex to apex
Remember, fishing and trawling are the same priority in the vessel priority.

19. Trawling Vessel
Applies only to trawling that restricts maneuverability (mostly commericial)
Must be actively engaged in trawling
Green over white, trawling tonight
Dayshape – two cones, apex to apex, same as fishing A

20. Restricted Ability to Maneuver
Red over white over red
Ball / diamond / ball dayshapes
White mast top light shows it is also anchored
Single ball dayshape shows anchored
Relate the ball / diamond to red / white, it makes it easier to remember both items at the same time.
“Red, white, red, restricted ability ahead.”

21. Underwater Operations
Dredging, diving, other underwater operations
Red, White, Red on vessel center
Two red on obstruction side
Two green on passing side
Ball / diamond / ball, with diamonds and balls A

22. Constrained by Draft (Intl)
Too deep to leave the channel
Three red lights in vertical row
International Rules only
Dayshape – cylinder
“Three reds in a row, no room below” A

23. Vessel Aground Two vertical red lights One all around white light
Dayshapes – three balls
Note that aground has an all-round white light.

24. Not Under Command Two vertical red lights
Sidelights, sternlight, no masthead light
Two ball dayshapes
“Red over red, the captain's dead.”
There are some weirdnesses in these requirements. Lights for Not Under Command are not required in Lights, but are required here. There is significant duplication between requirements 9b and 9c. And some stuff was covered in Ordinary 9, so not covered here (but I do some anyhow).
Vessel not under command – figure she is drifting, cannot anchor, being moved by wind and current, no power.
Two red lights, two balls. Note that there is no white light, which differentiates it from aground.
“Red over red, the captain's dead.”

25. Vessel Priority Airplanes / WIGs / etc. Power vessel
Tow boats (power vessel)
Sailboat under power (power vessel)
Fishing / trawling
Sailboat under sail
Restricted in ability to maneuver
Constrained by draft
Aground / not under command A

26. Identify Type Situation
Power boat

27. Cylinder is only for constrained by draft (three red lights)
Cylinder is only for constrained by draft (three red lights). This is only in the International Rules.
Three reds in a row, no room below.
Internatioal – constrained by draft

28. Trawling
Green over white – trawling tonight

29. Sailboat under power = power boat
The dayshape or the light may be masked by the jib / genoa / spinnaker. Steaming light should shine on the jib, but may not be seen on the other side.
Sailboat under power (dayshape only required over 66 feet)

30. Vessel aground
Vessel aground (three balls is the indication)

31. A vessel towing astern, with the stern of the tow less than 200 meters behind the stern of the towing vessel, shall display two masthead lights (one more than normal) and a yellow stern light over the normal white stern light. It does not display a diamond day shape in the rigging.
“Yellow over white, my towline is tight.”
Towing less than 200 meters

32. Restricted maneuverability. Some may remember it is anchored as well.
Relate the ball / diamond to red / white, it makes it easier to remember both items at the same time.
“Red, white, red, restricted ability ahead.”
Restricted maneuverability, and anchored

33. Pushing (towboat pushing)
Note – same rules as towing alongside (24c)
International -
Pushing
Two masthead lights
Red / green sidelights
One stern light (white)
Pushed
No sternlight
Inland -
Two towing lights (yellow)
Pushed – as above
Plus – special yellow flashing light
Pushing ahead

34. Sailing vessels under sail.
This is a review of the lights for sailing vessels that should have been learned for Ordinary 9.
Sailboat sailing

35. Fishing Vessel
“Red over white, fishing tonight”
Red over white, Fishing tonight.
You can adjust the illustration to show a basket as well, which is another indication of a fishing vessel.

36. There are some weirdnesses in these requirements
There are some weirdnesses in these requirements. Lights for Not Under Command are not required in Lights, but are required here. There is significant duplication between requirements 9b and 9c. And some stuff was covered in Ordinary 9, so not covered here (but I do some anyhow).
Vessel not under command – figure she is drifting, cannot anchor, being moved by wind and current, no power.
Two red lights, two balls. Notice no anchor light, she is free to roam.
“Red over red, the captain's dead.”
Red over Red, Captain is dead. Not under command.

37. N
Dredge (or other underwater operations). A special case of restricted in ability to maneuver. Note the ball/diamond/ball, and the diamonds on the passing side and balls on the no passing side.
This is an actual dredge on the Houston ship channel, showing limited maneuverability and day shapes for passing on the left and no passing on the right.

38. Questions? Questions first?
Vessel Priority in Rules of the Road (ORD-9)
Shown you lights and dayshapes that identify a vessel in the vessel priority
Know your place in the vessel priority (pretty low!)
Be prepared to take appropriate action
Come back and show us you know this material and can apply it.
Intermediate summary questions.
We followd up Ordinary 9 to reemphasize the vessel priority as we discussed the new requirements for various lights and day shapes. You were exposed to the vessel priority list in Ordinary Rules of the Road. They should have made sense to you at the time. If you have been using them, even just to avoid fishing boats and tankers in the channel, you will have reinforced that knowledge. Now we have presented several ways for you to figure out independently what that vessel is doing. We hope you don't see two balls in the rigging, but if you do, you should know what to do. You did (well, poorly, whatever) on our post-teaching review. There are lots of “cheat sheets” that you might carry on your boat, or keep around the ship's meeting room, which will help you remember and master the topic of identifying ship's lights and day shapes, to fit them into the Rules of the Road vessel priority. Go thou, make thy knowledge permanent.

39. ABL-9d
c. Understand the system of aids to navigation employed in your area. Include buoys, lights, and daymarks, and their significance and corresponding chart symbols. T

40. Aids to Navigation (ATON)
ATONs are like street signs on a road
Nautical chart displays their locations and what they are
Symbols identified in Chart 1 (available on-line)
Three main ATONs
Daybeacons (poles)
Buoys
Lights (both poles and buoys)
Several lesser kinds of ATONs
This treats the classic USCG system. If your locality uses different marks, you will need to revise this presentation.
See SSM pp as well.

41. Lateral System
Establishes channels and marks to guide vessels to stay within those channels
Two main colors
Red on the Right Returning from the sea, triangular shape
Green on the left returning from the sea, square shape
Channel limits marked by red and green lights, buoys, and daybeacons A

42. Daybeacons Used in shallow water Mounted on a pole, numbered
Red daybeacons triangular shape
On right-hand side of channel
going inbound to dock
Green daybeacons square shape
On left-hand side
of channel going
inbound to dock
Note the chart symbol, a red triange or green square with R or G and the number of the marker.
These slides are a simple introduction to daybeacons, buoys, and lights. Hopefully, by now, your Scouts are familiar with these varieties from the regular sailing. They should be familiar with the local aids to navigation, including junction markers and ranges, where appropriate. You may add slides of local ATONs to improve this presentation.

43. Buoys Floating aids, anchored to bottom, numbered
Can move a little, tide, current
Red, triangular top, “nun”
Green, square top, “can”
The red num buoy is being dragged sidewards due to the current, this may be pointed out. Ask if the buoy is likely to be in its plotted place?
Note that buoys are shown with a small circle, indicating positional uncertainty, because they will move with the change in tide and current (not much, but they do). G C “15” = green can 15. R N “18” = red nun 18.

44. Lights Lights on buoys and on poles Basic buoy or daybeacon
Light mounted on top
Light has pattern to flash for
identification
I could not get the light characteristics to show well, so I pasted it below. These patterns are beyond the need of most Sea Scouts, but if your local area uses them, they become more important.
Note the symbols for lights, be they poles or buoys. The upper map symbol shows flashing red, 4 second interval, 17 feet high (pole), visible for 3 NM, number 16. The arrow is from the flashing symbol to the light. Lower is quick interval green 17 ft pole, 4 NM vis, number 23.

45. Junctions Junctions are where two channels meet
Color on top is for the primary channel
Lower color is for the secondary channel
Junctions are lettered, not numbered
The left and right illustrations are correct. I could not get rid of the information marker in the middle.
Note the illustrated symbol is flashing (twice + once) red, 6 second interval, marker B. In this case, the main channel proceeds straight ahead, the secondary channel veers 45° right to R2, R4, R6, R8.

46. Ranges Ranges are two sets of panels or lights in a line that show
the proper channel
Panels / lights connected by
dashes on chart to channel
Ranges are often have lights associated with them, look at these illustrations.
Second illustration shows a boat on the range course.
To get on course, turn toward the lower marker or light. Look at the position of the left and right boats, the direction to turn, and the display of the range panels.

47. Regulatory / Information Marks
White buoy, red letters
Four main types
Information, Regulation, Prohibit, Danger
Most places will have regulatory / information marks. The upper illustration shows the four basic markings:
Square – information
Circle – regulation
Diamond with cross – prohibition
Diamond – danger
The lower photos show actual buoys using those symbols.

48. ABL-9d
d. Read in detail a National Ocean Service (NOS) chart, preferably for the area normally cruised by your ship, identifying all marks on it. T

49. Chart 1
Chart 1 available in hard copy and on the internet. Google Chart 1.
Chart 1 has everything! A Sea Scout should not memorize Chart 1.
Common chart symbols are somewhat intuitive
Numbers in the middle of the water are depths
Little green squares and red triangles are daybeacons
Lights have a purple “beam” coming from them
Show the Chart 1 book, or wave around a few pages.
Use your local chart, that is the desired chart. For instance, for Houston Sea Scouts, it would be chart
Have Scouts identify all the annotations. Teach those they do not know. Concentrate on nautical and shore annotations.
This is best done on a chart in a small group or individually, not in a PowerPoint presentation, so we are not providing PPT of the Chart 1 annotations.
Show the chart that you will use for the test. Have the Scout go through the chart. I recommend starting out in the water where there are not too many annotations, then expanding and more and more as you incorporate channels and shore and installations, etc. When the Scout runs into something that is not recognized, try looking it up in Chart 1 ( If the Scout is already Ordinary and you use charts in your regular sailing, they should know most of what they see if you have been careful to instruct them as they have come along in the ship. Expect that they (and you) may have to do some studying though, there are a lot of marks on the chart.

50. Summary
Navigation Rules
Lights
Day Shapes
ATONs
Chart Symbols A

51. Practical Knowledge
Go out and demonstrate the practical knowledge you must display to pass this requirement A

52. Questions? R