Daymark

A conspicuous structure or object, usually unlit, used as an aid to navigation during daylight hours. Daymarks are typically painted in contrasting colors and shapes, such as triangles, squares, or spheres, to be easily identifiable from a distance. They serve to guide mariners, mark hazards, indicate channels, and define boundaries. They are essential for safe passage, particularly in coastal waters, and come in various forms, including beacons, buoys, towers, and range markers, offering crucial visual references to sailors. Their simplicity and reliability make them valuable aids, even with advanced technology.

Daymark meaning with examples

• The approaching ship's captain scanned the horizon, his eyes fixed on the distinctive red and white daymark that signaled the entrance to the harbor. The seasoned sailor knew it was a vital clue to steer the vessel safely and smoothly past perilous shallow reefs.
• During the thick fog, the daymark was unseen. However, it could still be heard. It proved to be crucial in pinpointing the channel's course which was vital for safe navigation despite the impaired visibility.
• The weathered daymark, a tall, cylindrical beacon, stood prominently on the rocky outcrop, its yellow and black stripes guiding fishing boats through the treacherous tidal currents.
• Surveying the coastline, the ship's navigator noted the alignment of the two range daymarks that confirmed their precise location and helped ensure they were in the center of the designated navigable channel.
• Local authorities diligently maintain the daymarks in the harbor, aware that their integrity protects their economic livelihood that relies on vessels.