Coastal navigation

Coastal navigation is a navigational method concerning the vessel's

movement in relation to the approximate shore, the visible objects in the
sea (islets, rocks, buoys, light vessels) and the sea depths.
Coastal passages are an extremely busy time for the ship’s officer of the watch (OOW). The traffic
density is usually high with an increased concentration of fishing vessels that aren’t exactly swift in
response at all times! There’re multitude of tasks at hand and the OOW has to manage it all!

This sort of high pressure demands extreme time and skill management. Some of the important
tasks for deck officers involve constant plotting of the vessel on the large-scale chart, maneuvering
and alteration as per the passage plan, and keeping a sharp lookout at the same time.

Managing the jobs on the bridge require efficient and accurate allocation of time and available
resources. When the OOW is busy himself, he must ensure that the other lookout at disposal is
sharp and absolutely vigilant. Not to forget that being the one in charge, he must also judge a
situation where it is imperative for him to take over the primary duty of keeping a look out.

Ironical as it may seem, this too demands equal allocation of time for collision avoidance as well as
position fixing. It is at times like these that the OOW must not hesitate in informing the Master for
seeking assistance as it doesn’t necessarily imply inefficiency in the part of the OOW.

All the tasks that are in simultaneous progress are equally important and crucial to safe navigation.
That is why the navigator must keep in mind the following point in such congested waters:
1. Stick to the Master’s orders for he knows best, out of experience and knowledge, as to which
modus operandi best suits those waters.

2. Use the best available large-scale chart for the area for higher accuracy.

3. Account for set and drift.

4. Identify all navigational marks prior to approaching them and continue to figure them out as you
progress along the voyage. Study the chart to pickup any landmarks as early as possible.

5. Account for strong tidal currents that automatically cause deviation in the ship’s intended
operation.

6. Comply with the rules of the traffic separation scheme to avoid any unnecessary complications.

7. Identify the landmarks using the chart and visually. Use all available navigational aids to fix a
very accurate position using that information. In congested waters, it boils down to the very finest
point of accuracy.

8. Adjust the courses to allow for deviations.

9. Avoid treading too close to navigational hazards, oil fields etc. Needless to say, it increases the
chances of a mishap especially when there is a viable prospect of shallow waters.

10. An increased traffic density, especially the presence of fishing vessels closer to the coast,
demands higher vigilance and sharper look out. Use the manpower at hand to the fullest.

11. Report to the VTS as and when required. The VTS is generally quite responsive which makes it
easier to coordinate bridge operations pertaining to coastal navigation.
12. The need for hand steering is almost always necessary when in such waters. It is therefore
important to have the right person (AB) to be on standby for steering duty.

13. Keep a very close watch on the UKC (under keel clearance) to avoid grounding. Seafarers who
have experienced the hassle of a grounded vessel know its best to avoid such an incident.

14. Communicate with the ECR (Engine control room) to ensure that the engines are ready for
maneuvering as and when required. A clear communication process with the ECR brings in the
expertise of another angle, thereby increasing the efficiency of the ship overall.

15. Log all the relevant information as you go along, most importantly the radio log. Evidence of
communication is always important from a legal point of view.

16. Increase the safe distance if the sea room gets more confined. Remember to inform the Master
about any decisions with respect to navigation in advance.

17. Adjust the course in case the vessel seems to be going off track. When provided with limited
room, it is obvious that the track ought to be maintained to avoid an impending disaster.

18. Most importantly, call the Master BEFORE any crucial situation arises. Assess and appraise a
situation to determine as to when it becomes inevitable for the Master’s expertise and knowledge
to be brought in.

It is agreed upon and obvious that navigation in waters with limited sea room and limitless hazards
to vessel movement requires a very specialized skill set. And although a seafarer is qualified to
handle such situations, it basically comes down to handling time and allocating importance in the
best possible way. Therefore, all the above mentioned important points must be taken into deep
regard in performing the OOW’s to his finest in coastal and congested waters.
The difference between coastal navigation and pilotage is narrow, but a general definition of the
former would be the safe conduct of a ship where the navigator has the land on one side of his
course and the open sea on the other, even though he is in fact navigating in what are known as
pilotage waters.

When a ship is proceeding in sight of a coastline, its navigator need not be in doubt as to his
position, for the largest-scale chart of the area will show all landmarks, lighthouses, lightships,
buoys, etc., and by taking bearings of objects on shore, and laying them off on the chart, he can fix
the ship's position. Where the chart shows only one conspicuous object in a long coastline, a
position can be obtained by a running fix.

A compass bearing of the object is transferred to the chart and later, when the bearing of the
object has altered sufficiently to give an adequate angle of cut, which should preferably not be less
than 45°, a second bearing is taken and laid off on the chart. The first bearing is then transferred
by parallel rulers by the distance the ship has run in the interval between the bearings along the
course steered, making due allowance for the distance and direction the ship has been carried by
the tide. The point of intersection of the transferred bearing with the second bearing will be the
ship's position.

For academic purpose retrieved from Shilavadra Bhattacharjee | In: Marine Navigation | Last
Updated on September 29, 2021. https://www.marineinsight.com/marine-navigation/18-important-
points-deck-officers-must-consider-in-coastal-and-congested-waters-coastalcongested-waters/

Sistema de boyado marítimo IALA

El sistema de balizamiento marítimo IALA (International Association of Lighthouse Authorities) o
AISM (Asociación Internacional de Señalización Marítima) es una norma internacional dictada para
estandarizar las características del boyado que delimita canales navegables y sus aguas
adyacentes a fin de unificar criterios.

Existen dos sistemas a lo largo del mundo, el sistema A aplicado en Europa, África, Oceanía y Asia
excluidos Japón, Corea y Filipinas. El sistema B aplicado en América del Sur, Central y Norte
además de los tres países asiáticos antes mencionados, como indica el mapa de la figura.
El sistema de boyado fue instaurado para delimitar canales navegables, señalizar obstáculos a la
navegación y servir de ayuda al navegante.

Comprende seis tipos de señales diferentes que pueden emplearse en forma combinada.

 Señales laterales.
 Señales de peligro aislado.
 Señales de nuevos peligros.
 Señales de aguas seguras.
 Señales especiales.
 Señales cardinales

Los tres tipos de marcas laterales recomendadas y su ubicación respecto a un buque que ingresa
desde altamar según se esté en zona A o B respectivamente.

Las formas de estas boyas pueden ser tres:

 Babor: cilíndricas (tambor), castillete o espeque.

 Estribor: cónicas, castillete o espeque.

Sistema A:

 Marcas de babor son rojas y pueden tener una luz roja.

 Marcas de estribor son verdes y pueden tener una luz verde.
(Babor) (Izquierda) (Rojo) __________________ (estribor) (derecha) (verde)

Sistema B:

(Babor) (Izquierda) (Verde) ___________________________ (estribor) (derecha) (rojo)

Señales de seguridad a la navegación

Peligro aislado
Aguas seguras

Señales especiales
Señales cardinales

¿Qué marcan las boyas?

Las boyas de balizamiento ayudan a la navegación marcando un canal fluvial o marítimo, así
como obstáculos y áreas administrativas, para permitir a los barcos navegar con seguridad.
Las boyas salvavidas, diseñadas para ser lanzadas a una persona que haya caído al agua,
proporcionándole flotación.