It's a Buoy!

No, it's not an occasion to hand out cigars. Buoys, and their mile-marker cousins, are water traffic signs to direct and inform boaters. They also help identify danger areas and restricted zones.

That's why it's a violation of state law to moor or attach a vessel to any buoy or marker. It's also illegal to move, remove, displace, tamper with, damage or destroy any buoy or marker.

Here's some basic information to help you get familiar with buoys and markers:

• Regulatory markers: white with black letters and orange warning borders in different shapes.
• Mooring buoys: white with a blue horizontal band. Can be anchored to in public waters.
• Lateral markers: indicate the sides of channels. Safe passage can be found between pairs of green and red buoys.
• Inland waters obstruction markers: white with black stripes. Don't pass between these buoys and the shore.
• Navigational markers: also may be black and/or white, red and/or white, numbered or lettered, indicating locally placed or outdated navigational systems.
• Yellow buoys: indicate special markings such as traffic separations, international boundaries, anchorage areas, dredging, fish net areas, etc.

Examples: Buoy Markers

1.	2.	3.	4.	5.
1.	2.	3.	4.	5.
Controlled area. This is a controlled area. No fishing, no anchoring. There may be water-skiers. Slow down and don't create a wake.	Boaters keep out! Written description of danger may be displayed outside crossed diamond, e.g., dam, water intake, swim area, or rapids.	Danger! Written description of danger may be displayed outside the diamond shape, e.g., rocks, stumps, hazards or shallow areas.	Green "can"-shaped buoy. Facing upstream, these green buoys are on the left. They have odd numbers, and may have a green light on top.	Red "nun's cap"-shaped buoy. Facing upstream, these buoys, shaped like a nun's cap, are on the right. They have even numbers and may have a red light on top.