Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 50, December 11, 2024
Section 448.2 - Aids to navigation(a) Lateral system. Prior to establishing a lateral system of marking on any waterway, a base or outlet and a source or head of navigation shall be first established thereon. Upon waters which have no singular inlet or outlet, arbitrary assumptions may be made to establish one location as the base or outlet and another as the source or head of navigation.(b) Starboard side. When proceeding from the base or outlet towards the source or head of navigation, red navigation aids shall mark the starboard or right side of the channel, and boats proceeding towards the head of navigation shall keep such aids on their starboard or right side. All such navigation aids shall conform to the following general specifications:(2) Numbering. Starting at the base or outlet and ending at the head or inlet, even-numbered buoys only shall be used to mark the right or starboard side of the channel, and from such starting point shall advance in even numerical progression to the source or head of navigation. Numbering requirements shall be at the discretion of the commissioner.(3) Lighting. Red flashing lights may be installed and shall conform to light characteristics as specified by the commissioner depending upon the location of the navigation aid. Unlighted aids shall be equipped with red reflective material on the uppermost part of the aid. The type and extent of reflective material must be approved by the commissioner.(4) Shape. Spar, conical (nun), pillar or structural shapes may be used.(5) Construction. Types of construction shall be approved on an individual basis considering the location of the aid and other factors.(c) Port side. When proceeding from the base or outlet towards the source or head of navigation, green navigation aids shall mark the port or left side of the channel, and boats proceeding toward the head of navigation shall keep such aids on their port or left side. All such navigation aids shall conform to the following specifications: (2) Numbering. Starting at the base or outlet and ending at the head or inlet, odd-numbered buoys only shall be used to mark the left or port side of the channel, and from such starting point shall advance in odd numerical progression to the source or head of navigation. Numbering requirements shall be at the discretion of the commissioner.(3) Lighting. Flashing green lights may be installed and shall conform to light characteristics as specified by the commissioner depending upon the location of the navigation aid. Unlighted aids shall be equipped with green reflective material on the uppermost part of the aid. The type and extent of reflective material must be approved by the commissioner.(4) Shape. Spar, can, pillar or structural shapes may be used.(5) Construction. Types of construction shall be approved on an individual basis considering the location of the aid and other factors.(d) Federal lateral system. The State navigation aid system may be further supplemented by the use of aids included in the Federal lateral system, such as midchannel and junction buoys. When such additional aids are used, they shall have the same significance as established in the Federal lateral system of buoyage. Aids placed on navigable waters of the United States shall be in accord with current Federal regulations.(e) General obstruction marker. A general obstruction marker shall have no lateral significance and may be used in place of, or in addition to, the aids in the lateral system. This aid may be used to mark obstructions projecting from shore or wherever found in otherwise navigable waters. When this aid is located near shore, boats shall not pass between the aid and the shore. One or more aids shall be used to mark obstructions which are not in close proximity to shore, or where navigable channels exist between the obstruction and the shore, depending upon the size and character of the obstruction. In every case, there shall be a sufficient number of aids installed to accurately indicate the extent of the obstruction. Boats shall stay clear of areas in which these aids are installed, and shall not pass between such navigation aids when they are located close together. General obstruction markers shall conform to the following specifications: (1) Shape. Can, at least 1 1/2 feet from waterline to top of buoy if floating, or if can is fixed on a stanchion, it must be at least one foot in height.(2) Color. The upper one fourth of the aid and the lower one fourth of the aid shall be international orange in color. The bottom stripe of orange shall show at least three inches above the waterline. The center section shall be white.(3) Lighting. Flashing white lights may be installed and shall conform to light characteristics as specified by the commissioner, depending upon the location of the navigation aid and other factors. Unlighted aids shall be equipped with orange reflective material on the uppermost part of the aid. The type and extent of reflective material must be approved by the commissioner.(4) Symbol. In the center of the white section, equally spaced, on not less than two sides of the buoy, there shall be a symbol in the shape of a diamond, to be of a good proportion and to cover an area of at least three fourths of the height of the white section. The symbol shall be at least one inch in thickness and painted international orange in color and, in the center thereof, running horizontally, there shall be printed in block form the word DANGER. The letters shall be black in color, and of good proportion in relation to the size of the symbol.(5) Numbering. Since this aid has no lateral significance, no numbering is permitted. However, a letter, or a combination of letters may be used to identify the location of the aid on a chart.(6) Construction. Types of construction shall be approved on an individual basis, considering the location of the aid and other factors.(f) Supplementary obstruction markers may be used to enhance the effectiveness of one or more general obstruction markers. Supplementary obstruction markers shall conform to the following specifications: (1) Shape. Spar or cylindrical, at least 1 1/2 feet from waterline to top of buoy if floating, or if spar or cylinder is fixed on a stanchion, it must be at least one foot in height and the bottom of the shape at least three feet above the waterline.(2) Color. White with two-inch wide horizontal international orange stripes showing six inches of white in between such orange stripes, and showing at least two of such stripes above the waterline.(3) Lighting. Lighting and/or reflective material shall conform to the rules and regulations for general obstruction markers, paragraph (e)(3) of this section.(4) Symbol. No symbol is required, but if a symbol is used it shall conform to the rules and regulations for general obstruction markers, paragraph (e)(4) of this section.(5) Numbering. Same as general obstruction markers, paragraph (e)(5) of this section.(6) Construction. Same as general obstruction markers, paragraph (e)(6) of this section.N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 9 § 448.2