inshore piloting navigation symbols mystery

we all know R R R

anyone want to take a stab at the rules for piloting along the East Coast when say ducking into the inner islands around Georgia

for instance, there is many daybeacons/markers with red & green
but then the channel has two entrances....
so how do you know which one is returning or leaving?

any links, general rules or comments appreciated

I have my own ideas/studies but would love to hear what u lads think
or ladies

[SeanConnett]

Unless you are talking about a traffic seperation scheme which has a specific lane that should be followed, I have never seen a seperate returning or leaving channel. If an inlet has two marked channels, then I would choose the channel that suited my draft and my destination best.
The biggest challenge when entering inlets on the eastern seaboard is when they intersect or merge with the ICW. That's where you have to look for the telltale yellow squares or triangles. Many boaters have mistakingly found themselves heading out an inlet because they didn't follow the correct ICW markers.

[JohnRPollard]

Originally Posted by stpetersburgsailor

for instance, there is many daybeacons/markers with red & green
but then the channel has two entrances....
so how do you know which one is returning or leaving?

If I understand you correctly, these red/green markers are not all that unusual.

They are placed where the channels split or converge (depending which direction you're heading.)

If you are heading upstream, and encounter a red/green where the channel splits, and you intend to take the right hand channel, then the marker is a "green" and kept on your port side. If you plan to take the left hand channel, then the marker is a "red" and kept to starboard.

Is this the situation you are describing, or am I missing something?

[Cruisingdad]

Red Right Return is a very common mistake made by boaters in general. In many cases, especially around the ICW or around a inlet that makes a loop, it is flat wrong. This is especially true in FLorida. You need to make sure you are really between the markers... don't ask me how I know (I have the tow bill to prove it).

- CD

[captbillc]

up here on lake superior there are 2 entrances to superior bay (the duluth -superior harbor) each one is red right returning. the shipping channels meet at the high bridge & go up the river. if you are going from the duluth entry down the harbor to the superior, WI entry the bouys switch at the high bridge so the red bouys are now on your left because you are now outbound even if don't plan to go out. it is 5 1/2 NM from one entrance to the other.

[WanderingStar]

With the appropriate chart and by reading the numbers or letters on the bouy.

[sailortjk1]

I think John Pollard has it best.
Converging/splitting channels,

It has always been my understanding on a splitting channel,
Red over Green.. preferred channel to Port.


Green over Red.. preferred channel to Starboard.


Don't even ask me which is the preferred channel. You have to figure that one out for yourself.

And I agree; RRR can get you into trouble even on the Great Lakes.
Sturgeon Bay comes to mind.

BTW and FYI, Chart no. 1 is available for down load and can be viewed here.... U.S. Chart No. 1
It is also recommended to keep a copy on board. You cn pick them up cheap enough.

[imagine2frolic]

Originally Posted by sailortjk1

I think John Pollard has it best.
Converging/splitting channels,

It has always been my understanding on a splitting channel,
Red over Green.. preferred channel to Port.


Green over Red.. preferred channel to Starboard.


Don't even ask me which is the preferred channel. You have to figure that one out for yourself.

And I agree; RRR can get you into trouble even on the Great Lakes.
Sturgeon Bay comes to mind.

BTW and FYI, Chart no. 1 is available for down load and can be viewed here.... U.S. Chart No. 1
It is also recommended to keep a copy on board. You cn pick them up cheap enough.

The preferred channel is correct, and I would like to see that bill CD... ...i2f

thanks for all these stellar thoughts

John's ideas are on the mark

but more what our amigo who got the tow bill

many channels around Savannah's barrier islands have two entrances

so how the 'heck' do you know which way is returnin' ??
perhaps the guy who asked me should just buy a chart

still no one has answered the actual question...