Season's Greetings Ralf,
AH>        Ha,ha,ha,  you must live in Vancouver!
RZ> Oh no, far away from there (Quiz for you: a nice little town where some
RZ> Mercedes Benz are built).
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      Ahh, this tells me plenty!  Especially since you mentioned that the
red/green lateral system is reversed where you are, I know that you are not
in the Americas.  So you're in Bouyage Region "A"... somewhere in Germany.
I know they build Mercedes Benzs in Brazil and Mexico, but they're in
Region "B".  I guess I'll have to take a Mercedes out for a test drive
tomorrow to find out what town you're in :^)
AH> ... but you didn't mention "where" these
AH> marks are usually located, ie: what type of waters.  Kinda important to
RZ> Right, but i didn't worry about this, since having always a chart
RZ> onboard
RZ> The other side is, that i remember the categories of lights described as
RZ> somewhat like "usual used for", so i'll never assume that it's a must.
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       I'm in Canada's west coast (Vancouver) where reduced visability
happens often.  Because of this it's important for me to be able to
identify markers by their light sequence whenever possible.  Especially
since there's a huge island to the west (Vancouver Island) which means
offshore sailing for me is not nearly as common as coastal... meaning: many
markers!  As for you, a quick drive in your car to your boat and you're out
there in open water! :^)  You're right though, many markers have their
particular sequence so that you can identify them using the chart.  The
only markers I can think of that have a specific sequence to define their
usage and location without the need for a chart are the cardinal markers
and the fairway bouy.  Although I think lighthouses usually have an
isophase or occulting light.
AH>        Got that one too.  I didn't think anyone would get the "unwatched"
RZ> Ok, sitting in my well heated room and studying the literature, looking
RZ> through the rain dropped window, having a beer ... i'll get it sooner or
RZ> later :)
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      If you're in Germany having a beer, please don't JUST say, "a beer".
I want to know ALL about it  - here in Canada, we're just starting to
learn how to brew good beer properly!  Personally, I stick to Guinness :^)
AH> Also, the
AH> elevation would be from "mean high water" as opposed to chart datum which
AH> is sounded at "mean lower low water".
RZ> Sure? The INT1 chart said chart datum, i remembered it this way, only
RZ> the chart datum itself will depend on the region  .
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       Yup.  I'm positive.  At least in these parts.  Soundings are done at
Lower Low Water, and heights and elevations at Mean High Water.  I looked it
up before replying just to make sure.  It's been a long time since I sailed
in the Med so I don't remember the chart datum there... I thought it would
be the same.  I should probabaly look into the INT1 Chart to see just how
many differences there are.
RZ> Oops, never heared about that. Just the period is defined as the length
RZ> of one entire (over all) signal cycle (i.e from the one beginning to the
RZ> next).
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      Here it's the "rest" period inbetween groups that is timed.  If I
remember correctly, it's the same there too.  Who actually counts the
darkness anyways? :^)
RZ> Hmmm :) prehaps i should remark that the people here * (or some of them)
RZ> like to have everything ensured. So you have to have a licence to sail,
RZ> and to get it you need tons of paper to know. One of the first for
RZ> offshore is that INT1 chart.
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      Definitely sounds like Germany :^)  I hear it takes a long time to
get a driver's license too.  It's a very quick process here (maybe too
quick! :^)  As far as sailing is concerned, the only paper you need over
here is cash to buy the boat!  BTW, I MUCH more enjoy driving in Europe
than here!!
RZ> The other hand is that there are anyway lots of people on the water
RZ> where you must assume that they have never heard about anything.
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       Good plan!  I always assume the other guy doesn't know all that he
should... and I also assume that I don't always remember everything I
should 
RZ> Ok, since i have seen the first snow today, i'll try again.
AH>                         a)  Iso 2s
RZ> Isophase (on time = off time), period 2s.
AH>                         b)  Al
RZ> Alternating (2colors).
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      Yes, very good!
AH>                         ca)  white with red top, no number
RZ> Had not enough red color to paint the whole, forgot the numbers :)
AH>                         cb)  white with black top, no number
RZ> Had no green color, took black instead :)
RZ> Ok, never seen nor heard about them, perhaps they'll be country
RZ> specific?
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        Ha,ha,ha,  they are country specific (far as I know) to the U.S.
White with red top means "safe water to the South West, and white with
green or black top means, "safe water to the North East"
RZ> Btw. yours port hand lateral lights are green? Ours are red... is a
RZ> little confusing while first time sailing trough.
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      Yes.  I think your system makes more sense and there really is no
reason that I can think of why it shouldn't be the same everywhere.  After
all, sailors are international people! :^)  It can get a bit confusing in a
hairy situation... just like trying to drive in England! :^)
  I know I said I'd post another quiz but I got caught up doing a few other
things.  I'll be sailing all weekend, but am expecting snow afterwards!  So
be patient and it will get posted soon! :^)
     Cheers,
             Augustin~~~===
                             National Yacht Club, Toronto - S2STOR - S2SVCR
... Navigators do it by the light of the stars.
 * Q-Blue 1.9 [NR] *
--- WM v3.11/93-0359
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