navigatsioonimärkide

Navigatsioonimärgid, also known as navigational aids or navigation marks, are any devices external to a vessel or aircraft intended to assist in navigation. They serve to guide, warn, or inform users about their position or the presence of hazards. In maritime contexts, these include lighthouses, buoys, and sound signals. Lighthouses emit light signals to mark coastlines, harbors, and shoals, aiding ships in safe passage, especially at night or in poor visibility. Buoys are floating markers that can indicate channels, submerged hazards, or mooring points, often distinguished by shape, color, and light or sound characteristics according to standardized systems like the IALA (International Association of Lighthouse Authorities) Maritime Buoyage System. Sound signals, such as foghorns, are used to alert vessels to nearby dangers or the presence of land in conditions of reduced visibility.

In aviation, navigational aids include ground-based beacons like VOR (VHF Omnidirectional Range) stations and NDB (Non-Directional Beacon) systems, which transmit radio signals that aircraft can use to determine their bearing and position. More advanced systems like GPS (Global Positioning System) and other satellite navigation systems provide precise location information globally. Air traffic control also relies on visual cues such as runway lights, taxiway markings, and airport beacons to guide aircraft safely on the ground and in the vicinity of the airport. The primary purpose of all navigational marks is to enhance safety and efficiency in transportation by providing clear and reliable information for route planning and execution.