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 for the following: towing (astern, alongside, pushing ahead, and cannot deviate), fishing, trawling, restricted maneuverability, underwater operations, constrained by draft, and aground.
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. 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.
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. Course Outline
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.
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.

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

6. 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.

7. ABL-9b
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.
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.

8. ABL-9c
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. T

9. 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

10. 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)

11. Lights on Towed Vessel
Normally, towed vessel displays standard sidelights and sternlight.
A towed vessel displays standard sidelights and sternlight.

12. Lights Towing Astern <200M
Normal power lights
+ One masthead light (= two total)
+ One yellow stern light
“Yellow over white, my towline is tight”
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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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..

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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

22. 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.”

23. 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

24. 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

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

26. 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.”

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

28. Identify Type Boat
Power boat

29. 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.

30. Trawling

31. 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.

32. Vessel aground

33. 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.”

34. 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.”

35. 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

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

37. Fishing Vessel
“Red over white, fishing tonight”

38. 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.”

39. 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.

40. 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.

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

42. 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.

43. 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

44. 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.

45. 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.

46. 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.

47. 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.

48. 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.

49. 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.

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

51. 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.

52. ABL-9f
f. Explain the use of tide tables, current tables, light lists, and how to update a chart using the Notice to Mariners. T

53. Tide Tables Apply to coastal areas only, not to inland waters
Tide tables give the time and height of high and low tides at specific locations
Based on astronomical data (the Sun and Moon)
Tides also vary according to the weather, strong northerly winds will push water out of a bay that has a southern entrance. Weather effect is not predicted in tide tables. ml
Use the URL to bring up tide tables for your area.
Point out that local weather has a significant effect on many tides.

54. Two Tables
Unfortunately, there is no room for labeling. Discuss these points.
The reference, as in most tide tables, is MLLW.
The top tide table is from Morgans Point, Galveston Bay, TX. This point is at the north end of the Bay from Galveston, on the Houston Ship Channel. The tide is predicted to flood to 1.40 feet above MLLW, and ebb to 0.40 feet below MLLW. First low water is at about The next day is very similar, slightly lower high tide, low tide near 0300.
The bottom tide table is the same day, for Clear Lake, a tidal lake off of Galveston Bay, about 7-8 miles southwest. The tide is predicted to flood only 1.00 foot above MLLW, and ebb to 0.40 feet below MLLW. Note the time is one hour later because the water must go through a narrow channel so it is slower rising, slower falling, and less water goes through.
Gulf of Mexico tides are generally of limited range and often “diurnal,” i.e. once a day. East Coast tides have greater range, are “semi-diurnal” (twice a day, about the same height). West Coast tides also have greater range, and are often “mixed semi-diurnal” meaning two highs and two lows, but of significantly different heights.

55. Current Tables
Tides cause currents, especially in restricted waterways
Think: Under the Golden Gate Bridge
Out Bolivar Roads next to Galveston
Minimum flow: near high and low tide times
Maximum flow: midway between high / low times
Not always true, but a good start
Varying depths, varying speeds. Sea Scouts use 6 feet or so, shallower draft.
Tidal currents are not very accurate for two reasons. First is that the position of the sensor is often not directly in the channel because it interferes with channel traffic. Second is that the reading is extremely localized. For instance, in the 40 ft deep Houston Ship Channel there is a current up and down channel with each ebb and flow. However, 100 yards to the side, Galveston Bay is only 10 feet deep for several miles to shore, and the direction and velocity of that water is markedly different than in the HSC.

56. Two Different Currents
6 foot depth, Red Fish Island, Morgans Point, both on Houston Ship Channel, 40' deep channel
Current will not apply in 7' water depth 100 yards west of HSC
Redfish Flood 0.7K 341° Ebb 0.7K 154°
Morgan Pt Flood 0.5K 336° Ebb 0.7K 163° A

57. Calculating Speed Maximum speed is displayed in table
Determine time for maximum speed
Determine time for slack water
At 1/3 of the time from max to slack, speed will be 90% of maximum
At 2/3 of the time from max to slack, speed will be 50% of maximum
Interpolate as needed
Power Squadron Advanced Piloting (AP) teaches the 1/3 rule, flow will be at 90% after 1/3 of the time from maximum current to slack water, then 50% at 2/3 the time, and 0% at slack water.

58. Light Lists
USCG publishes electronically. Google “Light List,” click on your local area
Lists each navigational aid (ATON) that the USCG and private parties maintain.
Unique identifier, lat / long, full description
Coordinates in DDD-MM-SS.SSS
You can put them into your GPS in MM-SS, then switch your base to MM.MMM, the GPS will do the conversion automatically for you
Recommend you get the light list for your cruising area and set up your GPS to include ATONs you use, such as the first ATON in your channel, major ATONs along routes you travel, etc.

59. Sample Light List L
Describe the contents of the light list as you point them out. Reference information, location names, chart numbers, etc.
(1) The light list number – Most have only one reference number.
(2) Name and location – These are typical, and more complex than many lists.
(3) Coordinates – in DDD-MM-SS.SSS N or W. These coordinates are excellent for copying for waypoints.
(4) (Light) Characteristic – note the light characteristics, such as quick green, or flashing green 4 seconds.
(5) Height – in feet, helps determine how far it can be seen.
(6) Range – distance, in nautical miles, it can be seen on a clear night.
(7) Structure – what kind is it? (SG is square green, TR is triangular red, many other abbreviations). Look up in front of light list.
(8) Remarks – Whatever is needed to make it more clear. “Ra ref.” means radar reflector. Notice that how well the light can be seen is identified, some all around, some only 2° along the range line.

60. Notice to Mariners Published weekly by USCG
Identifies changes to Light List, charts, other nautical publications.
Publishes coming changes and activities that affect the water, such as dredging, etc.
Available online, Google “Notice to Mariners” A

61. Local Notice to Mariners
Downloadable from USCG A

62. Typical Discrepancy Page
Lt # Description Discrepancy Chart St Dt
Go over each column with the Scouts.
Be aware that there a re separate lists for government aids and for private aids, so to check Clear Lake, you need to check two discrepancy lists, then the list of cleared discrepancies.
(1) Light List number
(2) Description
(3) Discrepancy – see page 1 for abbreviations
(4) Chart – such as or 11327
(5) The funny number is the Broadcast Notice to Mariners number, I suggest this is not really important
(6) This is the start date of the discrepancy
(7) There could be an end date, most of these pages do not have one.

63. To Make Corrections Look at the chart number in each list
Annotate your chart if needed
For instance, if a light has been destroyed, mark it DEST or some way you understand
If a light is back in service, mark OK on chart
Charts are numbered in increasing value.

64. Summary Navigation Rules Lights Day Shapes ATONs Chart Symbols
Publications A

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

66. Questions? R