needing help with some words

[phr0663r]

Hia, I work ing the games Industry and requier a few words from people that actualy know what there talking about!
Is ther such a thing as a network of roads in the sea, i.e. paths in the sea taken by boats?
If so what are the names of the road categories? i.e. street, ave, blvd, road track....
or any other nameing conventions relating to the organisation of navigation on the sea.
also have these name been around for long? ie have thay been about since the 1500? or have the seas only been organised since the 19thC?

I'd very much appriciate all the help i could get on this one cos i've come up blank myself!

 

[Raghauler]

Re: needing help with some words

Perhaps a commercial captain can answer this better, but there certaily have been trade routes that have been used by mariners for centuries. The routes were used because of their consistent qualities for moving ships and cargo efficiently. For example, the trade winds were so called because of the consistent wind provided by thermal differentials along the equator. The same goes for currents... The Gulf Current, and the other documented currents that have been mapped around the world, are used to expedite shipping and therefore are "highways" for commercial shipping. Of course, natural and dredged channels through bays, rivers and other inland waters are "roads" for recreational and commercial vessels as well.

 

[smclear]

Re: needing help with some words

If memory serves, and it may not, what you are asking about would be referred to as "shipping lanes". I believe they are identified on some navigational charts.

 

[gcboat]

Re: needing help with some words

In the open ocean there are 'shipping lanes' as smclear refers to. However they are not steadfast nor written on any navigable charts as a 'route'.They are modified from season to season and therefore are noted as such.
In the inland waterways of the Continental U.S, Canada, and Europe there are designated 'waterways' that are marked with buoys and channel markers.
These would be your only 'roads' as you mentioned.
In the U.S. it is considered the Intracoastal Waterway. IntrA , not IntEr.
Now please don't get confused but there are certain channels and approaches to larger harbors that are marked and regulated as well - but they are used primarily for larger vessels that are constrained by draft.

 

[mthieme]

Re: needing help with some words

sea lanes
shipping lanes
shipping channels
channels
trade route