Imagine this
You are preparing a real trip and pilotage plans and harbour entry changes the decision. Use this module to explain the cue, the risk, and the next safe action before you move on.
8 lesson sections · 12 quiz questions · 12 flashcards
Day Skipper training module 16 of 17
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Pilotage
Harbour entry, IALA buoyage (Region A), transits, leading lines, and clearing bearings.
Pilotage plans and harbour entryUse of sailing directions
3 outcomes for this module
- Explain harbour entry, IALA buoyage (Region A), transits, leading lines, and clearing bearings.
- Apply Pilotage plans and harbour entry to a realistic onboard situation.
- Recall the core check: pilotage = navigating in confined/shallow waters.
Preview the onboard scenario
You are preparing a real trip and pilotage plans and harbour entry changes the decision. Use this module to explain the cue, the risk, and the next safe action before you move on.
8 lesson sections · 12 quiz questions · 12 flashcards
Lesson summaries
Use this module hub to choose the right lesson, then open the dedicated lesson page for the complete explanation, worked examples, FAQs, and practice questions.
What Is Pilotage?
Pilotage is the art of navigating in confined waters — harbours, estuaries, rivers, and channels — where precise positioning is critical and there is little room for error. Unlike open-wa...
- Pilotage = navigating in confined/shallow waters
- Relies on visual references, buoyage, and pre-prepared plans
Pilotage Plans
A pilotage plan is prepared before entering or leaving harbour. It should include: the approach course, waypoints, buoys to identify, transits and leading lines, clearing bearings, depth...
- Prepare the plan in advance on the chart
- Include: courses, buoys, transits, clearing bearings, depths
Transits and Leading Lines
A transit occurs when two fixed objects are in line as seen from the vessel. When two charted objects are in transit, you know you are on that line of position. Leading lines are transits...
- Transit = two objects in line from your viewpoint
- Leading lines = transits marking a safe channel
Clearing Bearings
A clearing bearing is a compass bearing of a charted object that defines a safe boundary. For example: 'Maintain the lighthouse bearing no less than 045°T' keeps you clear of a specific d...
- Clearing bearing = compass bearing that defines a safe boundary
- Used to keep clear of specific charted dangers
IALA Buoyage System — Region A
The IALA (International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities) system provides a standardised set of buoys and marks used worldwide. The UK and most of Europ...
- Region A used in UK, Europe, most of world (Region B = Americas)
- Five types: Lateral, Cardinal, Isolated Danger, Safe Water, Special
Lateral Marks
Lateral marks define the edges of a navigable channel. When entering harbour (coming from seaward), the convention for Region A is: red marks (can shape, red light) are on your PORT side,...
- Entering harbour (from seaward): Red = Port, Green = Starboard
- Port (red): can shape, even numbers
Cardinal Marks
Cardinal marks indicate where safe water lies relative to the mark, using the compass directions North, South, East, and West. The safe water is on the NAMED side: a North cardinal mark m...
- Pass on the NAMED side (North mark → pass to North)
- North: cones up ▲▲, continuous quick flash
Other Marks
Isolated Danger marks sit directly over a small hazard with navigable water around them. They are black with red horizontal band(s), top mark of two black spheres, and show a group of 2 w...
- Isolated Danger: black/red bands, 2 spheres, Fl(2) white
- Safe Water: red/white vertical stripes, 1 sphere, long flash / Mo(A)
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