Navigation Buoys and Channel Markers 101: What Do the Red ...

If you're new to boating, you may find yourself asking, "What do all those red channel markers and green buoys mean?"

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Well, there may not be any road signs or painted lines out on the water, but fortunately as boaters we have plenty of channel markers, buoys, and aids indicating everything from channels to no wake zones. But for someone who hasn’t spent years on the water, all those red markers and green buoys can be confusing.

Never fear, new boaters—we’re here to help.

Boating Regulatory Zones: What is a 'No Wake' Zone?

Channel Markers vs. Buoys

All the different “road signs” of the water are called “aids to navigation.” These include fixed markers on poles and pilings as well as a variety of floating buoys that are anchored to the bottom. Why will you see a mix of fixed channel markers on poles, and floating buoys? Mostly, this is a matter of physical geography.

In deep water, it’s difficult to drive a piling, so putting a buoy there makes more sense. In other places, channels may shift and change over time, so again, utilizing a buoy (which can be moved and re-anchored at a later date) is the norm. But in areas where the bottom composition doesn’t change much over time and the water is shallow enough to drive a piling, a fixed marker (which doesn’t require as much regular maintenance) is often a better option.

The bottom line? What’s important to remember is that boaters should treat fixed markers and buoys exactly the same.

Also remember that some, but not all, markers and buoys will be lighted. Those that are lighted will blink at a specific frequency. These frequencies are marked on charts and chartplotters. So if you see a red one blinking every three seconds, for example, you can look at your chart, find the nearest red marker that blinks at that frequency, and easily identify the marker you’re looking at.

Channel Marker Colors: Understanding Red and Green Markers and Navigation Buoys

Most of the markers and buoys you’ll see will be either red or green, and these colors help identify which side you’ll want to pass them on to remain in a channel.

• As a general rule of thumb, when you’re heading from open water to inland water, or heading upstream in a river, you’ll want to keep the red markers to your right and the green ones to your left.
• So, when you’re heading from the ocean into a bay, or from a bay into a creek, harbor, or port, the red markers belong on your right side.

Hence, the old saying “red right returning.” Sometimes you’ll see an aid to navigation that has horizontal bands of both red and green. These mark the junction between two channels. In this case, the color that’s highest on the marker indicated the preferred or primary channel.

Another aid to navigation you may see are called “non lateral” aids to navigation. Each of these has their own specific use and meaning as follows:

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• Diamond-shaped Dayboards – These are used to help you determine your location, more or less like the “you are here” marks on a map.
• Safe Water Marks – When you see an aid with white and red vertical stripes, you know there’s unobstructed water on both sides.
• Danger Marks – Look out for red and black horizontal bands, which indicate an isolated danger that can be passed on either side.
• Range Markers – These are pairs of markers, often with non-blinking lights. When you’re in the middle of the channel, the two markers and/or lights line up vertically. The colors on range markers are related to how well they stand out versus navigation, so when you see their three vertical stripes remember that you don’t have to worry about what color they are.

• Information and Regulation Markers – Orange and white aids are used to indicate various regulations like speed zones and fisheries regulations. These will have an orange diamond shape on them if they mark a hazard, a circle if they indicate regulations related to how you operate your boat, a diamond with a cross through it if boats are prohibited from the area, or a square when they are used for informational purposes.
• Special Aids – Solid yellow markers are called special aids, and they mark things like anchorages, traffic separation, areas with cables underwater, and other unique situations.
• State Waters Obstruction Marks – Don’t pass between one of these black and white vertically striped buoys, because they indicate an obstruction from shore to their position.

In addition to all of these aids to navigation, you may also come across white buoys with a blue stripe. These don’t actually relate to navigation but keep your eyes out for them because they’re mooring buoys that people secure their boat to in harbors and anchorages. Remember that most are private and you need permission to use them.

Driving a Boat: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Read Channel Markers & Aids to Navigation

Okay: now that you know what all those red markers and green buoys mean—as well as the yellows, blacks, whites, and oranges—you can effectively navigate your boat through most waterways. Of course, there’s more to getting where you’re going than just understanding the navigational aids. Be sure to read Marine Navigation: How to Navigate a Boat to get the complete scoop.

Marine Navigation: How to Navigate a Boat

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Now that you know how to identify a mooring buoy, the next step is knowing how to use one. When it comes to safely securing your boat in the water, mooring buoys offer a convenient, reliable alternative to anchoring. By following these step-by-step instructions on how to use a mooring buoy, you can ensure a secure and hassle-free mooring experience. 

1. Approaching the Mooring Buoy: When approaching a mooring buoy, always advance slowly and with caution from down current, making sure to take note of any other vessels in the immediate vicinity. Try to keep the buoy on the same side as the helm station for visibility as you approach.

2. Assess the Mooring System: There are a few different mooring systems designed to suit various boating needs and water conditions. Familiarize yourself with the design and components of the system available to you, such as the buoy itself, the mooring line, shackles and swivels. 

3. Prepare Your Boat: Maintain an idle speed and assign someone on board to handle the boat hook, line and other necessary equipment.

4. Grab the Mooring Buoy: Use a boat hook to grab the buoy’s pickup line and bring it close to your bow. 

For more information, please visit Marine Aids to Navigation Solutions.