What do the numbers mean on buoys?

Asked by: David Blanchet

The lower the number, the nearer the open water is. So, for instance, if the first marker buoy that you encounter has a 44 on it, you should see numbers decreasing until you enter open water. The green marker buoys should always have odd numbers on them and the red ones should have even numbers on them.

How are buoys numbered?

Portside buoys are numbered with odd numbers. Portside buoys may show a green reflector or light. Starboard side buoys are red. Starboard side buoys are numbered with even numbers.

How do you read a buoy?

Remember the phrase red bright returning. And keep the red even-numbered on your right the green odd-numbered buoys will be on your left as you return from open water or head upstream.

What are the 5 types of buoys?

These road signs on the water are made up of five buoy types – cardinal, lateral,isolated danger, special and safe water marks. These buoys and marks indicate where safe water lies and where you should navigate safely within a channel.

What do the buoys mean?

Buoys might signal the presence of manmade objects or natural occurrences that could be dangerous. Buoys can point out rocks, shallow waters, and designated channels. Buoy marks include lateral, cardinal, isolated danger, safe water, special, and emergency wreck marks.

What does a buoy with the number 4 and flashing red light mean?

Starboard Hand Buoys: Starboard hand buoys are solid red with even numbers. They can be a pillar with a flashing red light, a conical shape, or a spar with a conical shape on top. These mark the edge of the channel on your starboard (right) side as you enter from the open sea or head upstream.

How do I remember port and starboard?

So if we know port is red and left then starboard has to be right and green a good way to remember this is by using logical connections. What is poor. Most people think of port as red wine.

How do you read a boat marker?

Basically, red marker buoys should be on your right (starboard) as you return from open water. Conversely, green channel markers should be on your starboard side as you head out into open water. The red marker buoys also have a triangular shape. With daybeacons or boards, the sign itself is a triangle.

What side of a buoy do you pass?

Aids to navigation on state waters use red and green buoys to mark channel limits, gener- ally in pairs. Your boat should pass between the red buoy and its companion green buoy. LIGHTED BUOY: Even number, increasing toward head of navigation, leave to starboard (right) when proceeding upstream.

What marker indicates safe water?

Safe Water Markers: 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.

What do red and black buoys mean?

Danger Marks

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.

How do buoys work?

“Equipped with accelerometers to record their own movements, buoys rise with the wave crests and fall with the troughs. Since buoys are always floating on the sea surface, by recording their own movements they are in fact recording the movements of the sea surface.

What do different Coloured buoys mean?

A Starboard Preferred Channel mark is striped, red at top, Green in middle, Red at the bottom. It is the middle colour which tells us it is Starboard preferred mark.

What are yellow buoys for?

Yellow buoys indicate special markings such as traffic separations, international boundaries, anchorage areas, dredging, fish net area, etc.

What is the area between a red and green buoy?

Type of boy is what's known as a junction boy and it is placed right where a channel splits into basically the meaning of the colors in terms of their positioning. Starboard or port side remains the

What does a buoy with red and green bands mark?

Red and green colors or lights are placed where a channel splits in two. If green is on top, keep the buoy on your left to continue along the preferred channel. If red is on top, keep the buoy on your right. These markers are sometimes called “junction buoys.”

What does an orange buoy mean?

An Orange Square: a buoy with an orange square is an informational buoy. There could be information related to directions, nearby establishments, or possible changes in traffic patterns for those who spot an orange square.

What does a blue buoy mean?

Mooring Buoys



These are white with a blue horizontal band, usually placed in marinas and other areas where vessels are allowed to anchor. You may tie up to these buoys; they are the only ones where you can do that. Water buoy markers give you a clear and accurate picture of the waters you’re traveling.

What should you do when you see a white buoy with orange bands and an orange diamond?

Safety / Buoys

1. Boats Keep Out: A white buoy or sign with an orange diamond and cross means that boats must keep out of the area. …
2. Danger: A white buoy or sign with an orange diamond warns boaters of danger – rocks, dams, rapids, etc.

What does a green buoy mean?

The Green Buoy: The Open Seas



Green means go, which means go out to sea, in this case. In those cases, green buoys are called cans because they have a flat top, making them look like cans. The green buoys should be marked with odd numbers and contrast the red buoys, usually marked with even numbers.

When boating at night what does a single white light on the boat tell you?

What Does a White Light Indicate? If only a white light is visible, you may be approaching another craft from behind. You are the give-way-craft and must take early and substantial action to steer well clear by altering your course and passing at a safe distance on the starboard (right) or port (left) side.

What should you do when you see a buoy with red and white vertical stripes?

A buoy with red and white vertical stripes marks danger. It means you should not pass between the shore and that buoy. This is important to protect those swimming near shore and prevent you from running aground in shallow waters.

What does red triangle mean when boating?

A starboard hand day beacon, which has a red triangle centred on a white background with a red reflective border, marks the starboard hand side of the channel or a danger and must be kept on the starboard side when proceeding upstream. If numbered, the number will be even and of a reflective material.

Can you tie your boat to a buoy?

If you’re new to boating, you might be wondering where is it legal to tie up your boat when it’s not at the dock? The answer to this question is a mooring buoy. Mooring buoys float on the water and are attached to the bottom using chains, these are the only buoys you can legally tie up to.

What do you do when you see a red triangle daymark?

You see a red triangular daymark. What should you do? a. Keep the marker on your starboard (right) side.

What does a green can shaped buoy mark?

Can Buoys: These cylindrical-shaped buoys are always marked with green markings and odd numbers. They mark the edge of the channel on your port (left) side when entering from the open sea or heading upstream.

What does a green square daymark mean?

Lighted buoys are a type of lateral marker with a matching colored light. Daymarks are signs attached to posts or pilings in the water. They are usually red triangles (equivalent to nuns) or green squares (equivalent to cans). Topic 2 of 4.