Keep it Between the Beacons: Types of Marine Markers for Navigation

Marine channel markers and buoys are essential tools for safe navigation on the water. They provide information about water depth, channel boundaries, safe passages and potential hazards.

Understanding the different types of buoys and markers is crucial whether you’re navigating the Florida Keys, the ICW, the Chesapeake Bay or cruising from Florida to the Bahamas. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types to study up on before leaving a marina or private boat dock for rent.  

Lateral Buoys

Lateral buoys indicate the left and right sides of the deepest water for safety in navigating through water channels from marinas or private boat lift rentals.

Types:

• Red Buoys (Nuns): Mark the starboard (right) side of the channel when entering from the sea (returning from open water). They are typically cone-shaped. 
• Green Buoys (Cans): Mark the port (left) side of the channel when entering from the sea. They are cylindrical.

Navigation Rule: This is where that favorite mnemonic "Red, Right, Returning" comes into play. This helps you remember to keep red buoys on the right when returning from the sea. Left, green would be when you’re heading out to sea from the marina or a private boat dock for rent. 

Cardinal Buoys

Cardinal buoys indicate the location of the safest waters around a dangerous area, such as rocks or shallow waters. These buoys are divided into four types based on the cardinal directions (North, South, East and West) and are distinguished by their colors and top marks (black and yellow bands with two black cones).

Types: 

• North Cardinal: Safe water lies to the north.
• South Cardinal: Safe water lies to the south.
• East Cardinal: Safe water lies to the east.
• West Cardinal: Safe water lies to the west.

Safe Water Buoys

Safe water buoys are designed to indicate safe and navigable waters all around the buoy. These buoys have vertical red and white stripes and often have a spherical or tall cylindrical shape.

Navigation Rule: Pass on either side of the buoy.

Isolated Danger Buoys

Isolated danger buoys mark isolated dangers such as submerged rocks, shipwrecks or obstructions. They’re black with one or more horizontal red bands, usually topped with two black spheres. They often have flashing lights to warn of danger ahead.

Navigation Rule: Keep well clear of these buoys.

Special Marks

Special marks buoys, are used for specific purposes, like indicating spoil grounds, cables, pipeline areas or recreational zones. They’re yellow and may have a yellow X-shaped top mark (St. Andrew's Cross). They have a yellow flashing light that flashes in a different pattern than other buoys and markers.

Navigation Rule: Check local charts for detailed information before encountering from a marina or private boat slip rental.

Special-Purpose Buoys

Not to be confused with the above-mentioned buoy, special-purpose buoys mark specific features or controlled areas, like anchorage zones, mooring areas, traffic separation zones or military exercise zones. These buoys are yellow and can have various shapes and symbols depending on their specific purpose. Symbols on special-purpose buoys alert boaters to things such as information (square), hazards (diamond-shaped) and control (circular).

Navigation Rule: Boaters should consult charts or local notices for specific information on these buoys. Study up on them before cruising out from a private boat dock rental for a day of fishing.

Mooring Buoys

Mooring buoys indicate areas where vessels are allowed to anchor or tie up. These buoys are usually white with a blue horizontal band and can be found in designated mooring areas. You’ll see them in the Florida Keys at reefs (where you can’t drop anchor because of coral).

Navigation Rule: Only approach and use mooring buoys if you intend to moor your vessel.

Information and Regulatory Buoys

Information and regulatory buoys convey specific information, such as speed limits, danger zones or no-wake areas. They’re white with orange bands at the top and bottom and feature black text or symbols within an orange square, diamond or circle.

Types:

• Information Buoys: Provide directions or information, such as marina locations
• Regulatory Buoys: Warn of dangers or restrict activities, like no-entry zones

Emergency Wreck Marking Buoys

Emergency wreck marking buoys indicate new wrecks or dangers that have recently emerged and are not yet marked on charts. These buoys have blue and yellow vertical stripes with an alternating blue and yellow flashing light.

Navigation Rule: Exercise caution and navigate around these buoys until the wreck is charted or removed.

Preferred Channel Buoys (Junction Buoys)

Preferred channel buoys/junction buoys (also known as bifurcation buoys) indicate where a channel splits (at an intersection of the two channels) or where there’s a preferred route. They’re horizontally banded in red and green. The top color indicates the preferred channel.

Navigation Rule: If the top band is red, the preferred channel is to starboard (right). If it’s green, the preferred channel is to port (left).

You may not encounter all of these buoys while you’re out and about, especially if you boat on small lakes and rivers. But it’s good to know about these markers if you’re ever traveling the ICW, boating from Florida to the Bahamas or cruising around a large body of water like the Chesapeake Bay, Gulf of Mexico and other areas.

Study these markers and read up on Coast Guard rules and regulations before leaving that private boat lift rental or local marina. Happy boating!