Section 670-3-III - SYSTEM OF AIDS TO NAVIGATION & WATERWAY MARKERSThe Maine State Aids To Navigation System (M.S.A.T.N.S.) has been developed to guide the watercraft operators on waters of this State.
State waterway markers shall not normally be placed within the Water Safety Zone (200 feet or less from any shoreline), except when marking channels or hazards to navigation in critical high traffic areas. Floating State waterway markers normally will mark hazards covered by less than four (4) feet of water at low water during the boating season. (Typically from Memorial Day to October 1st each year.)
The M.S.A.T.N.S. consists of five (5) types of markers:
1. Lateral types of Aids to Navigation;3. Inland waters obstruction markers;4. Regulatory and Information markers;5. Other waterway Marking Devices and Waterborne Structures. 1. Lateral type aids to navigation mark defined channels. They define the port and starboard sides of a route to be followed and their most frequent use is to mark the sides of a channel. The coloring and numbering of Lateral aids are determined by their position with respect to the navigable channel, as such channels are entered and followed upstream or toward the head of navigation. There are two (2) distinctively colored aids used to indicate the sides of a channel. a. Solid Colored GREEN Aids (All Green Can) shall indicate that side of a channel to be kept to the left (port side) of a watercraft when proceeding upstream or returning from the main water body. Go between all-green aid and a companion all-red aid. The green aid is used together with the all-red aid to mark the entrance of a channel. While traversing the remainder of said channel, all-green aids shall be kept on the same side of the watercraft as indicated by placement of aids at the entrance to the channel.b. Solid Colored RED Aids (All Red Nun) shall indicate that side of a channel to be kept to the right (starboard side) of a watercraft when proceeding upstream or returning from the main water body. Go between all-red aid and a companion all-green aid. The red aid is used together with the all-green aid to mark the entrance of a channel. While traversing the remainder of said channel, all-red aids shall be kept on the same side of the watercraft as indicated by placement of aids at the entrance of the channel.
2. Safe water markers indicate that there is navigable water all around the marker. Their most frequent use is to indicate fairways or mid-channels. a. A RED and WHITE Vertically Striped Aid shall mark the Fairway or center of a channel. Watercraft can safely pass close by either side of these markers when following them in sequence. Stripes shall be of approximately equal width and marker shall display red spherical topmark.3. Inland waters obstruction markers indicate that the hazard extends from the nearest point of land to the buoy. a. BLACK and WHITE Vertically STRIPED Aids shall mark obstructions extending from the nearest shore to the aid and shall indicate to a watercraft operator not to navigate between the aid and the nearest shore. The number of stripes is discretionary, provided the white stripes are twice the width of the black stripes.4. Regulatory and Information Markers are used to alert the watercraft operator of the existence of dangerous areas, restricted or controlled areas, and which provide general information and directions. All regulatory waterway markers shall be colored white with orange color bands and symbols. Symbols (geometric shapes) shall be placed between horizontal colored bands of a marker body and shall be colored orange.
Authorized symbols and their meanings are as follows:
a. A vertical open-faced diamond symbol to mean DANGER. The nature of the danger may be indicated by words and/or well-known abbreviations in black block letters above, below or beside the symbol in the white background. Some examples of words that may be used are: "Hazard Area," "Shallow Area," "Rock," or "Dam."b. A vertical open-faced diamond symbol having a cross centered within the diamond indicates that all watercraft are excluded from the marked area. All motorboats must KEEP OUT. The nature of the restriction may be indicated by words and/or well-known abbreviations in black block letters above, below, or beside the symbol in the white background. Some examples of words that may be used are: "Swim Area," "Water Intake," or "Area Closed."c. A circular symbol indicates that a watercraft operated in the marked area is subject to certain operating CONTROLS or RESTRICTIONS. The nature of the controls or restrictions shall be indicated by words, numerals, and/or well-known abbreviations in black block letters inside or beside the circle. Extra explanation may be given above, below, or beside the symbol in the white background. Some examples of words that may be used are: "Headway Speed Only," "Safety Slow Zone," or "No Ski." Note - Not all restricted or controlled areas are marked by buoys.d. A square or rectangular symbol to give INFORMATION or DIRECTIONS. The information shall be indicated by words and/or well-known abbreviations in black block letters above, below, beside or inside the symbol in the white background.5.Other waterway marking devices and anchored or stationary waterborne structures In the interest of safety and uniformity, anyone placing any of the following types of waterway marking devices or waterborne structures in or on State waters must comply with State regulations. In addition, no object may be placed in State waters in a marked channel or a Fairway or in a manner that would impede access to a public boat launch facility or deny the right of Free Navigation.
a.MOORING BUOYS: To avoid mistaking mooring buoys for aids to navigation or regulatory markers, they shall be colored white with a single BLUE horizontal band clearly visible above the water line. No mooring may be installed so that it or the object moored thereto extends beyond the water safety zone (200 feet from any shore) or one-third the distance to the opposite shore, whichever is less.b.ORGANIZED SWIM AREA, MARKING OF: All organized swim areas must be enclosed with line floats (alternate colored white and orange or alternate colored white and blue) to delineate the limits of said area, and must be marked at the outer offshore bounds by at least two (2) Swim Area markers, i.e. Regulatory Waterway Markers with the vertical open-faced diamond symbol, having a cross centered in the diamond and the words SWIM AREA to indicate that all motorboats must keep out of the area. No swim area may extend beyond the water safety zone (200 feet from any shore) or one-third the distance to the opposite shore, whichever is less. A State Permit is not necessary to establish an organized swim area.c.FLOATS - SWIMMING AND DIVING: No such structure will be anchored or moored beyond the Water Safety Zone (200 feet from any shore), or one-third the distance to the opposite shore, whichever is less.d.SKI SLALOM COURSE, WATER: All water ski slalom courses shall be marked with RED and YELLOW, minimum nine (9) inch spherical markers and arranged in compliance with the American Water Ski Association Regulations for slalom courses. No part of a water ski slalom course shall be within the Water Safety Zone (within 200 feet of any shoreline) unless authorized to do so by the Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.e.SKI JUMP, WATER: All water ski jump structures will be equipped with orange reflectors or reflecting tape visible from all sides. Any such structure anchored beyond the water safety zone (200 feet from any shore) between the hours of sunset and sunrise, shall be illuminated with a single white light showing all around the horizon.f.REGATTA, WATERWAY PARADE, RACE AND/OR EXHIBITION MARKERS: Whoever wishes to hold or initiate an organized Regatta, Waterway Parade, Race or Exhibition on State waters must receive authorization to do so from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Registration Information, Augusta, Maine 04333 and comply with the regulations contained herein for the specific type of marker or structure concerned.1.Permanent Race Course Markers: Race Course markers shall be colored white with orange horizontal bands and display an orange colored triangular pennant. The alternate white and orange bands (white band uppermost) shall be of four (4) inch height, and that portion of a marker must extend a minimum of two (2) feet above the waters' surface. Pennants for these markers must be orange in color, triangular in shape.2.Temporary Regatta, Waterway Parade, Race and/or Exhibition Markers: Any markers placed in, on, or near State waters incidental to an authorized Regatta, Waterway Parade, Race or Exhibition, shall comply with the following regulations: Markers shall be of the "Regulatory" type, with circular symbol indicating a controlled area, with proper wording affixed, i.e. Regatta Area, Parade Route, Boat Race, etc. The length of time these markers shall be permitted may not exceed forty-eight (48) hours prior to or following the scheduled event. All authorized races must use race course markers as depicted in the preceding paragraph.g.DIVERS' FLAGS or DIVERS' SIGNS: This Waterway marker shall, when displayed on the water, either from a float or watercraft, indicate the presence of diving activities in the immediate water area, and shall be displayed only when diving activities are actually in progress. Watercraft operators shall remain at least one hundred (100) feet from any diver's flag or sign and exercise every precaution while in the area.
The diver's flag or sign shall be of a RED color with a WHITE diagonal stripe running from the upper left-hand corner to the lower right-hand corner (on a flag, from the mast head to the lower outside corner of the fly).
h.BRIDGE CLEARANCE LIGHTS: where needed or desired on bridges, these shall be fixed (constant rather than flashing) RED lights marking the boundary or margin of each side of the channel, with a fixed single GREEN light placed over the center of the safe channel so as to indicate the maximum vertical clearance at that point.i.ORGANIZED CAMP PERIMETER MARKERS: may be utilized by organized camp owners in waters adjacent to their waterfront property. This waterway marker is used as a cautionary device to alert vessel operators of the camp's existence. Perimeter markers shall be a regulatory type marker, which indicates control or restriction. The word SLOW shall be printed within the circle symbol, ORG'D printed over the symbol and CAMP printed under the symbol.j.SPECIAL PURPOSE MARKERS: Markers for special purposes shall be colored as follows: SEAPLANE LANDING AREAS OR MILFOIL AREAS. When marked shall be marked with SOLID YELLOW buoys. These markings have no significance as regards safe waters for the operation of watercraft, other than to inform the watercraft operator that seaplanes may be operating in the area or the existence of other special features.
BAIT TRAPS: shall be WHITE in color and shall be identified as to ownership. From ice out to ice in; A baitfish trap buoy or baitfish holding box buoy placed or located within the inland waters of the State must be a minimum of four (4) inches in diameter and Twelve (12) inches in height and be covered with a reflective coating that is visible from all sides and covers a minimum of 25% of the visible surface area of the buoy.
01- 670 C.M.R. ch. 3, § III