Red Sector?

[dmksails]

I'm looking at chart 18400 - Strait of Georgia. At the end of Valdez Island there is an arc drawn and labeled "Red Sector".

Does anyone know what this means?

[Vasco]

It usually means you're in trouble. The light is white, if you see red you're in the "red sector" which usually is a place you want to avoid. In the illustration it would appear that an approach to the pass should be south and east of the "red sector".

[Blue Stocking]

Originally Posted by Vasco

It usually means you're in trouble. The light is white, if you see red you're in the "red sector" which usually is a place you want to avoid. In the illustration it would appear that an approach to the pass should be south and east of the "red sector".

Yep !! -- the St.David's Lighthouse for the eastern approach to Bermuda has the same set-up.

[JPA Cate]

Just have a close look at what's inside the arc described by the red: there are shallow depths, rocks, maybe even wrecks. If you continue parallel to the land till the light turns to white, then it will be time to come in along the indicated course, aiming for the stbd green marker. You'd not want to do it at night, too many rocks. The indicated course aligns with the safest passage through the gap between the two islands and their outlying rocks.

[El Pinguino]

As stated above it is a 'sectored light' showing red over dangers.

Strange the way it is shown on that chart .....

However.... you can see here how it works ....

Having entered the pass using the two 'leading' lights on the eastern side you then stay in the white sector of that sectored light to avoid the hazards to the north west of it.

If in doubt I would do as Ann suggests... stay hove to outside until daylight.

Hope this helps.
Ping

[Steadman Uhlich]

I am no expert on this, but this is my understanding of it:
A Red Sector on a navigation chart marks a dangerous area or location (or a dangerous approach to a channel or pass, etc. ). In short, most vessels should not go through that area. Possible reasons: rocks, shoals, reefs, wrecks, etc.

It is always best to understand these things using a good official reference, such as:
A US Chart #1 will have more info on it. You can download a copy here for free:
U.S. Chart No. 1

Hope that helps!

P.S. Just saw that others have answered while I was helping another friend, before I could post, and those others have many miles of great experience.