User manual

Part B Section Appendix A.3
Other special use knots:
Sheepshank:
Used to shorten a line without having to cut it. Only reliable if line remains under tension
Slippery hitch:
Useful to allow the aircraft to drift back from a buoy or post mooring before engine start.
Once under way the running end can be pulled to untie but if need be the aircraft can be
pulled back up to the buoy using the standing part of the hitch. Don't forget which end is
which!
Figure 8 knot:
Useful for securing frayed ends on a line or as a stopper knot to prevent a line running
through a block or pulley.
05 BUOYS AND MARKS
These are essentially the "road signs" for marine traffic. For detailed information regarding
buoys and marks it is advisable to obtain the “vaarbewijs”.
Buoys float while marks are fixed to the sea floor or river bed. The majority of buoy
systems are at harbours and estuaries although some will be encountered during
operations on lakes. Since we operate on fresh water only it is unlikely we will need to be
guided through complex buoy systems but the basic meanings of the buoys commonly
used is included here for reference.
Lateral Mark and Buoy systems
are set for a specific buoyage direction (usually inbound to a harbour or clockwise round
the North or the South Island. Both buoy shape and colour may indicate which side of the
buoy should be passed.
For example, can shaped buoys should be passed so that they remain to port, conical
buoys to starboard while spherical buoys can be passed either side. Pillar and spar
shaped buoys give no information as to side of channel unless they are fitted with a
topmark of can or cone shape.
Red buoys indicate that they should be passed on the port hand (keep them to your left),
green should be passed on the starboard hand (keep them to your right)
Preferred Channel Marks and Buoys are used to mark where channels split and tell on
which side the preferred channel lies. Such marks and buoys will be can shaped and/or be
red with a central green band if they mark the left side of the main channel (keep them to
your left). Conversely they will be conical and/or green with a central red band if marking
the right side of the main channel (keep them on your right).
Cardinal Marks and Buoys
indicate on which cardinal point of the compass you should pass to avoid an obstacle or
danger to navigation. They are yellow and black with coded triangular topmarks. (See
diagram)
Isolated Danger Marks and Buoys
show small areas of danger where navigable water exists all around. They are black and
red in colour and commonly have two black spheres as a topmark.
Stichting Catalina PH-PBY Rev No: 02
01 April, 2006 Page: 3