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?
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.
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.
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:
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
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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Buoys are floating devices that are used to guide boat operators on the water and provide them with important information. There are many different types of boating buoys, and each has its own specific meaning. It’s important for boat operators to understand the information that’s being conveyed in order to navigate the waters safely.
In this article, find out what different types of boating buoys mean in Canada.
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Lateral buoys are used to mark which side of a channel boat operators should use when going upstream in order to avoid collisions and hazards.
Port hand buoys are coloured green and marked with odd numbers. Boat operators should keep them on their port (left) side when traveling upstream.
Starboard hand buoys are coloured red and marked with even numbers. Boat operators should keep them on their starboard (right) side when going upstream.
Bifurcation buoys mark the point where a channel splits into two and indicates the preferred channel for boats heading upstream. Port bifurcation buoys are green with one horizontal red band and indicate that the preferred channel is on the starboard (right) side of the buoy. Starboard bifurcation buoys are red with one horizontal green band and indicate that the preferred channel is on the port (left) side of the buoy.
Fairway buoys have vertical red and white stripes and indicate safe water.
Isolated danger buoys mark a hazard surrounded by navigable water. They are black with one horizontal red band.
Cardinal buoys are black and yellow buoys that indicate the safest or deepest water using the cardinal points of a compass (north, south, east and west).
Special buoys provide boat operators with specific information that is not usually related to navigation.
Anchorage buoys are yellow with black anchor symbols. They mark the perimeter of an anchorage area.
Mooring buoys are used to secure vessels. Their top third is orange and the rest is white.
Cautionary buoys are yellow buoys that mark danger areas (military exercise areas, underwater structures, areas with no safe channel, etc.)
Hazard buoys mark hazards such as rocks or turbulent waters. These buoys are white with orange bands and an orange diamond symbol.
Keep-out buoys mark areas where boats are prohibited. These buoys are white with orange bands and an orange diamond containing a cross.
Control buoys mark areas where boats are restricted and must obey specific rules. These buoys are white with orange bands and an orange circle symbol.
Information buoys provide information for boat operators. These buoys are white with orange bands and an orange square symbol.
Diving buoys mark areas where diving activities are currently underway. These buoys are white and sport a red flag with a diagonal white stripe.
Swimming buoys are white buoys that mark the perimeter of a swimming area.
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