Buoy
Identification - Aids To Marine Navigation
Aids to navigation found on federal waters,
commonly known as buoys or channel markers, are designed, built and maintained by the United States Coast
Guard. While some Aids to Navigation are buoys, many others may be day markers, ranges, or
many other types of marks that provide the boating public with a "sense of
direction" while on the water. Generally speaking, green markers are kept to the
RIGHT when leaving a harbor and red markers are kept to the RIGHT when returning to
harbor, thus coining the phrase, "Red, Right , Returning".
1. A Can Buoy marks
the RIGHT side of the channel leaving a harbor. It will be GREEN and have odd
numbers on it.
2. Green Daymarkers are often used in
shallow areas for the same purpose.
3. If the green marker has several pilings supporting it, it will be called a Dolphin.
4. Green Lighted buoys
with lights will usually be found in
deeper water. The light will be green. Larger buoys may also have
bells or other sound producing devices attached.
5. A Nun Buoy marks
the LEFT side of the channel leaving a harbor. It will be RED and have even numbers
on it.
6. Red Daymarkers are often used in
shallow areas for the same purpose.
If the red marker has several pilings supporting it, it will be called a Dolphin.
7. Red Lighted buoys with lights will
usually be found in deeper water. The light will be red. Larger buoys may also have bells
or other sound producing devices attached.
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8. Preferred channel markers
are a combination of red and green. Years ago, this marker was known as a junction marker.
The preferred or better channel is usually marked by having the top color of the marker
indicate the way it should be treated. That is, if the top color is green, treat it as a
green marker. (ex: Green on top is -- On starboard, leaving the harbor)
9. Just as with red and green markers, they may be found as Preferred
Daymarks or floating buoys. The preferred or better channel is on top.
They will have the same color light at the top color of the marker and they may have
letters but not numbers.
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10. The Safe Water marker,
These are white with red
vertical stripes and indicate unobstructed water on all
sides. They mark mid-channels or fairways and may be passed
on either side.
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| 11. Special Purpose markers
are yellow and may serve a wide range of uses, including but not limited to things such as
dredging, fish trap areas, spoils areas or military exercises. |
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12. Range Daymarkers
are found in pairs with one higher than the other. Range markers indicate the center line
of a channel by having them lined up as you pass through the channel. They will have
vertical colored panels to assist in lining them up. |
| 13. Some Daymarkers will have no lateral significance. They are not
designed to indicate the channel but rather, to help you know where you are. |
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14. Typical information and regulatory white markers and or buoys
with an orange boarder, diamond, circle, or square can be used to provide information or
regulations such as a no wake zone or a shoal area. As with all other aids to navigation,
they should be given a wide berth to avoid possible damage to your vessel. |
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