Beacon Near Point Grey

[Tedd]

While scouting out some potential routes for my next boat, I noticed the beacon highlighted in the screen shot below. Can anyone tell me what this beacon marks? I notice that it's right in the middle of the precautionary area that marks ship traffic in and out of Vancouver harbour. Is the beacon just marking the center of that route, or does it have some other significance?

 

[kappykaplan]

I'm a little rusty on my chart-reading skills, but it looks like it marks the center of the traffic separation scheme.

 

[Tedd]

I'm a little rusty on my chart-reading skills, but it looks like it marks the center of the traffic separation scheme.

I noticed that there's an identical beacon further south in the middle of the same traffic lane, so I expect you're right.

 

[Stu Jackson]

I noticed that there's an identical beacon further south in the middle of the same traffic lane, so I expect you're right.

There's also one further north by the Lions Gate Bridge.

If you want to find out, look at the light list:

List of Lights, Buoys and Fog Signals

The Notices to Mariners web site provides searchable current and critical notices and publications to Mariners. These notices include Aids, List of Lights, Buoys, Fog Signals, Lighted aids, Navigational aids, Annual Edition of Notices to Mariners, Chart corrections, and Sailing directions.

www.notmar.gc.ca

 

[Hello Below]

Let you learn something new everyday.
I have passed by those beacons many times and I always thought they were AIS transmitters as they show up on the MFD with a unique icon. But it seems they are RACON Transponders. There is also one at the Northern end of Rosario Strait.
RACON Transponder

 

[Tedd]

Thanks, @Hello Below !

I looked up the icon in Chart No. 1 but I could only identify the lighting features. How can you tell it's a transponder?

 

[Stu Jackson]

How can you tell it's a transponder?

Because the chart designates "Qa", Fl Y 4s Racon (--.)
My Map Source chart varies at different scales, but I'm sure thr correct scale printed chart would show it. If not, look it up in the light list. I also have not checked Chart1, but would venture to posit that it will explain that all yellow "Q " buoys are all of the same type and use.

 

[MikeHoncho]

It's the center of the designated shipping channel outlined in purple. You can see there is another one to the right of it closer to the port.

 

[Hello Below]

Thanks, @Hello Below !

I looked up the icon in Chart No. 1 but I could only identify the lighting features. How can you tell it's a transponder?

Earlier I looked at Navionics Chart on my iPad. Since then the dozen or so buoys that I see are all pillars, yellow in colour, flashing yellow light and use the portmanteau RACON (RAdar beaCON) in the description. So for your “QA” example:
[Y FL 4S 6.2M RACON]
Yellow special purpose buoy (shape: pillar) "QA" having yellow flashing light with a period of 4 seconds and a range of 6.2 miles.
I believe the designator could be either 1 or 2 letters. Example: TA, SA, S, CA, QB and of course the QA that you originally asked about.

 

[jssailem]

Yellow is usually the initial point of reference for the channel into a harbor or harbour in Canada.

As @MikeHoncho says “it is the center of the shipping channel” also known as the “Active Vessel Traffic Management” area.