As the answer to question one in January's Sailing Skills Quiz, we stated that Gong Buoys should be left to port when returning to a harbor. Our source for that statement was a publication of the American Sailing Association entitled Coastal Navigation by Mike Pyzel, subtitled "Official ASA Coastal Navigation Manual" and used as a text for their courses of the same name. On page 20 of that book Mr. Pyzel states "If a bell buoy is used as a channel marker, it will be on the right side when returning, ... As channel markers, gong buoys will be used on the left when returning." Because many of you questioned the accuracy of that answer, we began a search for corroboration. We looked in Chapmans, Bowditch, The Annapolis Book of Sailing, Coast Guard web sites, etc. and found nothing to either confirm or deny the accuracy of the ASAs statement. We then emailed the ASA to ask them about their source. They too looked all over with similar results and finally came up with the following which we received today: "I have managed to find some supporting evidence for Mr. Pyzel's claim that I hope will help. The following is a quote from THE YACHTING BOOK OF PRACTICAL NAVIGATION by Stafford Campbell (ISBN 0-396-08561-x) published 1985 by Dodd, Mead and Company: Page 37 : 'Where bell and gong buoys mark main channels, it is customary to locate bells to starboard and gongs to port, although this rule is not inviolate.' Thanks for pointing it out, I will note that it should be researched in the next revision. Regards, Jeff Stack Education Coordinator" Based on the answer from the ASA and the results of our investigation, we think its clear that you cant depend on bell buoys and gong buoys to denote one side or another of a channel. We apologize for creating some confusion here but were using a source we believed to be reliable. In the future we will ensure that we're using more than one source to confirm answers to these questions. Gary Wyngarden and SailboatOwners.com
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Thanks
Gary, I want to thank you for the extra effort in researching this issue. Sometimes we remember something better because of the discussion surrounding the issue, than if someone just read us some facts. This is what makes this board great, and what makes the quizzes so helpful. Beyond that, it has also helped an organization to correct their assumptions. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije II)
Gary, I want to thank you for the extra effort in researching this issue. Sometimes we remember something better because of the discussion surrounding the issue, than if someone just read us some facts. This is what makes this board great, and what makes the quizzes so helpful. Beyond that, it has also helped an organization to correct their assumptions. Dan Jonas (S/V Feije II)
Note exceptions?
Great research! Many of the active sailors on this board may want to make a mental note of this and try to spot any exceptions in the "live" world out on the water. Just to run an informal poll to the accuracy of the statement. Some of us in the northern lattitudes are frozen in right now and cannot contribute from our live experience.
Great research! Many of the active sailors on this board may want to make a mental note of this and try to spot any exceptions in the "live" world out on the water. Just to run an informal poll to the accuracy of the statement. Some of us in the northern lattitudes are frozen in right now and cannot contribute from our live experience.
Chart #1
The IALA Maritime Buoyage System is defined in section Q of USA Nautical Chart #1, and is shown graphically on pages 96-99. Chart #1 is a joint publication of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Department of Commerce) and the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (Department of Defense.) Chart #1 defines gong, bell and whistle buoys in general terms of "Fog Signals," and NOT as part of the IALA Maritime Buoyage System. In USA waters, gong, bell and whistle buoys mark rocky points, usually one mile offshore, and are alternated so that fog-bound navigators can tell that they're at Point A and not Point B by the sound. The correct side to round ANY sounding buoy is on the seaward side.
The IALA Maritime Buoyage System is defined in section Q of USA Nautical Chart #1, and is shown graphically on pages 96-99. Chart #1 is a joint publication of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Department of Commerce) and the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (Department of Defense.) Chart #1 defines gong, bell and whistle buoys in general terms of "Fog Signals," and NOT as part of the IALA Maritime Buoyage System. In USA waters, gong, bell and whistle buoys mark rocky points, usually one mile offshore, and are alternated so that fog-bound navigators can tell that they're at Point A and not Point B by the sound. The correct side to round ANY sounding buoy is on the seaward side.
The Gong Show
Gary, thanks for the time you've spent on this question and putting together the quizzes. If we question an answer, it's in good humor and not to find fault with you or anyone else. We enjoy and look forward to the quizzes. I've taken many Power Squadron courses and never recall hearing anything about bells and gongs marking left or right. I certainly don't know everything,but that answer surprised me. Keep up the good work and please, don't let us cry-babies get to you. Ken
Gary, thanks for the time you've spent on this question and putting together the quizzes. If we question an answer, it's in good humor and not to find fault with you or anyone else. We enjoy and look forward to the quizzes. I've taken many Power Squadron courses and never recall hearing anything about bells and gongs marking left or right. I certainly don't know everything,but that answer surprised me. Keep up the good work and please, don't let us cry-babies get to you. Ken
Coming into Newport ...
R2 is a whistle, R4 is a gong, and R6 is a bell ... and that bell is quite close to the shore as you can see at 1kate.com. Vic
R2 is a whistle, R4 is a gong, and R6 is a bell ... and that bell is quite close to the shore as you can see at 1kate.com. Vic
I'll say it again...
Anything that sends people thumbing through their copy of Chapman's has provided a great service. The wonderful thing about these quizzes is that it stimulates thought and discussion in the comfort and leisure of one's home, hopefully leading to better preparedness when it counts. Thanks again for these quizzes. I'm sure they're a lot of work to prepare, but they provide a valuable service.
Anything that sends people thumbing through their copy of Chapman's has provided a great service. The wonderful thing about these quizzes is that it stimulates thought and discussion in the comfort and leisure of one's home, hopefully leading to better preparedness when it counts. Thanks again for these quizzes. I'm sure they're a lot of work to prepare, but they provide a valuable service.
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