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Hydrographic and Beach Markings (U.S.)

Last modified: 2016-02-27 by rick wyatt
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Description of the flags

Found on this US Navy page, Ch. IX "Hydrographic and Beach Markings" of "Ship to Shore Movement. General Instructions for Transports, Cargo Vessels and Landing Craft of Amphibious Forces" (FTP 211): www.history.navy.mil/library/online/ship2shore2.htm

Elsewhere in the text is explained that these markings are put up as instructed by the beachmaster of a landing party, the idea of course being to ensure smooth traffic by identifying possible hazards. This task is performed by what are termed, members of the hydrographic section.

Quote (leaving out the beach markings which are panels rather than flags):

901. The following system of hydrographic and beach markings is prescribed as standard and should be thoroughly familiar to all land craft personnel.
902. Hydrographic markings.--
a. Rocks, shoals, and submerged obstructions.--
Day--A red and black vertically striped pennant on buoy or stake.
Night--Shielded blue light over red light.

[rock warning flag] image located by Jan Mertens, 13 April 2007

Figure 1.--Rocks, shoals, etc.
b. Boat channel.--
1. Right side of channel (from seaward)--
Day--Red pennant on buoy.
Night.--Shielded red light.

[right side warning flag] image located by Jan Mertens, 13 April 2007

2. Left side of channel (from seaward)--
Day--Black pennant on buoy.
Night--Shielded white light.

[left side warning flag] image located by Jan Mertens, 13 April 2007

Figure 2.--Channel markers.

Jan Mertens, 13 April 2007