Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1660-02-06-.01 - NAVIGATION AIDS AND REGULATORY MARKERS

(1) Lateral navigation markers of the U.S. Aids to Navigation System identify dangerous or controlled areas and guide vessel operators safely along waterways. Green cylinder-shaped buoys and red cone-shaped buoys are used in pairs on well-defined channels, including rivers or other relatively narrow waterways, to indicate that the navigation channel lies between the buoys and boats should pass between them. On irregularly defined channels, solid colored buoys may be used singly in staggered fashion on alternate sides of the channel. They will be spaced at sufficiently close intervals to indicate that the channel lies between the buoys and boats should pass between them. A smaller version of the green cylinder-shaped buoys with a white top and the red cone-shaped buoys with a white top mark secondary channels and boats should pass between them. Red triangle signs and green square signs called daymarks are attached to structures such as posts in the water or on the bank also indicate the channel. Green buoys with a red stripe or red buoys with a green stripe are junction buoys and indicate two channels coming together.

(a) The green buoys mark the left side of the channel looking upstream. If they are numbered, they will show odd numbers. Numbers increase in an upstream direction.

(b) The red buoys mark the right side of the channel looking upstream. If they are numbered, they will show even numbers. Numbers increase in an upstream direction.

(c) Smaller green cylinder-shaped buoys with a white top mark the left side of the secondary channel looking upstream.

(d) Smaller red cone-shaped buoys with a white top mark the right side of the secondary channel looking upstream.

(e) The green daymarks mark the left side of the channel looking upstream. If they are numbered, the numbers are odd and indicate the mile marker.

(f) The red daymarks mark the right side of the channel looking upstream. If they are numbered, the numbers are even and indicate the mile marker.

(g) Green buoys with a red horizontal stripe at the topside of the buoy indicate two channels coming together and the preferred channel is to the right of the buoy as you travel upstream.

(h) Red buoys with a green horizontal stripe at the topside of the buoy indicate two channels coming together and the preferred channel is to the left of the buoy as you travel upstream.

(i) Where used, lights on these buoys and daymarks are regularly flashing (30 flashes per minute), red lights on red buoys and red daymarks, and green lights on green buoys and green daymarks.

A quick-flashing light (60 flashes per minute) has special significance as at sharp turns or sudden constructions in the channel or to mark wrecks or other navigation obstructions.

(2) Where there is no well-defined channel or when a body of water has obstructions which can be approached from more than one direction, supplemental navigation aids according to the cardinal system may be used.

(a) A red striped white buoy marks mid-channels and may be passed on either side.

(b) A black striped white buoy indicates that an obstruction to navigation extends from the nearest shore to the buoy and boats must not pass between the buoy and the nearest shore.

(c) Where used, lights on the buoys are quick-flashing (60 flashes per minute); red lights on red buoys or daymarks, green lights on green buoys or daymarks, and white lights on other buoys.

(3) Information buoys or markers have an orange-bordered square or rectangle on a white background. Words printed in black inside the border will tell you place names, distances, arrows indicating direction, availability of supplies and services.

(4) Controlled or restricted activity areas are indicated by buoys or markers having an orange circle on a white background. Examples of words printed in black inside the circle are: 5 MPH, NO FISHING, FISH ONLY, NO SKIING, SKI ONLY, NO SCUBA, SKIN DIVERS ONLY, etc.

(5) Buoys or markers with an orange diamond on a white background are used to warn of danger. Examples of words printed in black inside the diamond are: ROCK, DAM, MARINE CONTRUCTION, FERRY CABLE, etc.

(6) Buoys or markers with an orange diamond with a cross inside on a white background mean BOATS KEEP OUT. Explanatory reasons printed in black may appear outside the crossed diamond shape, such as DAM, WATERFALL, RAPIDS, SWIM AREA, etc.

(7) Anchor and mooring buoys are white with a blue stripe midway between the top of the buoy and the waterline.

(8) The System recognizes the flag adopted by the Underwater Society of America for use during activities. The flag is a diagonal white stripe running from the top left-hand side to the bottom right-hand side on a field of red. Boaters are warned to keep away from the area where the flag is displayed to avoid submerged divers.

(9) All aids and markers except those placed by an authorized representative of the Federal Government must be authorized by the Wildlife Resources Agency.

(10) Permission to establish private aids or markers on state waterways by groups, individuals, municipalities, or other groups must be obtained by written request to the Executive Director of the Wildlife Resources Agency.

(a) This shall include, but not be limited to, slalom courses and other special purposes aids, markers, or structures.

(b) Any unauthorized buoy, aid, marker, or structure is subject to immediate removal by the Wildlife Resources Agency.

(11) Mooring or fastening watercraft to any buoy or marker is prohibited except in case of emergency.

(12) Removal of any buoy or marker by any unauthorized personnel is prohibited.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1660-02-06-.01

Original rule certified May 8, 1974. Amendment filed April 16, 1993; effective May 31, 1993. Amendments filed March 9, 2006; effective May 23, 2006.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 69-9-20 and 70-1-206.