Recently, we discussed the structure of marine buoys. In that article, I mentioned that different types of boating buoys are used in the aquatic world. Their primary purpose is to indicate a safe path or channels on the sea or rivers. However, their structures and ways of working are different.
Interestingly, each different boating buoy type marks specific instructions for the boaters. Boaters that don’t understand the meaning of buoys can go on the wrong channels. The buoy types are indeed complex to understand. But worry not! I’ll explain them in the easiest possible way. In the end, you’ll be able to comprehend buoys, their markings, and their meanings.
Overview of Boating Buoys
Buoys are devices used to ensure the safety of boats and ships. Their purpose is to indicate the safe path or channels for the boats. Boaters take these buoys as signals and navigate their ships accordingly. Buoys are generally made of plastic and can stay in the water for a long time.
Water bodies can have different levels of depth, right? Some points of water can be more dangerous for boats than others. If boaters go into those points, the chances of their accident increase. Remember, boats are small, so maintaining their balance can be challenging. As a result, boats can face accidents.
In such cases, these buoys indicate safe pathways. The boats take those paths and make their way out. How do these buoys stay at one point in the water? That’s an interesting question. The buoys are anchored to the seabed or riverbed, which means the surface keeps them at one point. Ropes and chains are attached to the buoys.
During winds or shape waves, those chains keep the buoys stable at one point. Boating buoys are used in rivers. On the flip side, sea buoys are generally utilized for anchoring vessels. They also guide vessels about safe pathways. These buoys have different markings, and understanding them is paramount for boaters.
Types of Boating Buoys and Markers
The buoys greatly assist in boat navigation in the river and sea. They show the proper channels and safe ways. Let’s dive in and discuss each of the boating markers in more detail.
1- Lateral Buoys
Lateral buoys are the most basic types used in river waters. Boaters must understand them for safe navigation in the water bodies. The lateral buoys indicate safe channels or pathways. If boats go in that channel as instructed, it will remain secure.
The lateral buoys system uses colored buoys to indicate the safe channels. Generally, two colored buoys are used: green and red.
- Red Buoys (Starboards): These red buoys are a kind of reference point for the boaters. When returning to port, boaters must keep these red buoys on their right side. These red buoys are also called starboard. If a boat travels by keeping these starboards on the right side, it stays in the safe channel.
- Green Buoys (Ports): These are also called ports. While traveling, boaters must keep them on their left when returning to shore or port. The reference point here is the returning to shore or moving upright. If boaters move by keeping the green buoy (Port) on the left, he is more likely to face an accident. Why? Because this channel is safe.
These red and green buoys (starboards and ports) are used in dangerous areas. There might be some rocks or sandbanks on the water body Moreover, the starboards are generally conical in shape. On the flip side, the ports are cylindrical. Remember, these starboards and ports give directions when you are heading back to the port.
2- Cardinal Buoys
The cardinal buoys are based on directions. They help navigate the boats by telling them the exact direction that is safe for them. There are four types of cardinal ships, and each represents a specific direction. Interestingly, the colors of these buoys are different from each other. You must remember their color and understand what those colors mean.
| Cardinal Buoy | Color Pattern |
| North Cardinal Buoy | Black on top, Yellow on bottom |
| East Cardinal Buoy | Black with a Yellow stripe in the middle |
| South Cardinal Buoy | Yellow on top, Black on bottom |
| West Cardinal Buoy | Yellow with a Black stripe in the middle |
Let’s discuss the meaning of each buoy. As I said earlier, buoys help navigate safely by indicating the right directions.
- East Cardinal Buoys: These buoys mean that water on the east side of these buoys is safe. It would be best if you stayed eastward from these buoys.
- North Cardinal Buoys: These buoys indicate that the water bodies to the north of them are safe for boats. Don’t cross the buoys; stay on the north side. Water can be dangerous in the south direction of the buoy.
- South Cardinal Buoys: They indicate the south side of these buoys is safe for the boats. These buoys will have a yellow tone and black from the bottom.
- West Cardinal Buoys: These buoys indicate that water is safe from the west side of these buoys. They typically have yellow and black stripes on them.
Remembering the meaning and color of these buoys is essential. Minor confusion can bring boaters in trouble. Remember, you’ll see one buyer with a specific color in the middle of the sea. You’ll have to identify its meaning by seeing the colors. Once you understand these buoys, your boats will stay in safe water.
3- Isolated Danger Buoys
The isolated buoys are a kind of warning, but boats can move around them. Generally, they are installed in unsafe places. Water bodies can have unexpected rocks, wrecks, or even sandbanks. These elements make the water unsafe for boats. Therefore, these buoys are installed in such places.
Remember, boaters must be careful but can still move around these buoys. Why? Because these buoys are placed in the exact danger area, moving around them is safer. However, as this area is near a dangerous zone, a careful approach is wise.
Let’s talk about the structure of these buoys. Their base color is black, and they generally have a red line or bands on them. Moreover, the top of these buoys consists of two balls. You will see them in isolated places where the danger is high. The boaters must treat them as an alert. Their color combination is very supportive and can be seen from a distance.
4- Safe Water Buoys
Safe water buoys are different from the previously mentioned buoys. They don’t mark any danger zone in the water bodies. Instead, they indicate safe water. They can be installed anywhere in the mid channels or on entrance points. Boaters or ships can easily navigate the water bodies where these buoys are installed.
Suppose this buoy is present in the middle of the boater’s path. It means that the boat can pass by either side of the buoy. There is no dangerous zone to worry about. They are red with vertical red stripes. From a distance, it looks like white and red stripes are on the buoy. Moreover, a ball-shaped structure is present at the top of these buoys. These safe water buoys are usually cylindrical or pillar-shaped.
5- Bifurcation buoys
Bifurcation buoys are used at points where channels split. This means the boats can either go to the right or left side, leaving the main channel of the path. These buoys indicate the best way for the ships. These buoys consist of cylindrical shapes. There is light on the top of these buoys, which is used to indicate the best path.
There are two lights, red and green. If a buoy has a green light at the top, boats should follow the path on the left side. On the other hand, if the buoy has a red light, boats should follow the path on the right side of the buoy.
Some buoys may not have lights and consist of red and green colors. They are more like traffic signals and indicate the right path for the boats and ships. Their primary purpose is to ensure that marine traffic remains on the safest paths. Remember, bifurcated or splits are both safe. But this buoy indicates the most preferred channels for the ships.
6- Mooring Buoys
The mooring buoys are not for navigational purposes. They don’t indicate direction but are used for anchoring boats. Generally, the large ships drop the anchor in case they want to stay at a particular place. But the small boats don’t have that anchorage system. So, they use these mooring buoys during their stay.
Generally, these buoys are installed in safe places. The water waves are not too violent. So, the boaters can easily tie their boats to these buoys using ropes or chains. Once tied, the boats remain stable at one point. Even if there is bad weather or a wing, these buoys keep the ships in one stable position.
Remember, there are different types of mooring buoys. However, they all aim to keep the boats stable at one location. You’re likely to see such buoys at the shores or marine bay. Remember, these buoys can also be installed in deep oceans. Such buoys are generally big and can keep large vessels from drifting.
Understanding of Other Buoys (Less Important)
I’ve mentioned some of the most essential buoys in the above section. The purpose was to help navigate the boats safely. However, there are some other types of boating buoys. Here is the table showing their names and primary functions:
| Type of Buoy | Purpose |
| Anchorage Buoy | Marks safe anchoring areas. |
| Cautionary Buoy | Warns of nearby dangers. |
| Hazard Buoy | Indicates hazards like rocks or rough waters. |
| Keep-Out Buoy | Shows prohibited areas for boats. |
| Diving Buoy | Marks areas for diving activities. |
Conclusion
Boating buoys are very helpful in navigating boats and ships. Every boater must know these buoys and marks. Understanding the meaning of these markings ensures the safety of the vessels and ships.
I don’t recommend going in the water unless you have a basic knowledge of boating buoys. In this article, I explained different boating buoys. Some are used for navigation, while others help you determine the conditions of water bodies. Remember, each of those types has its unique way of working to support the purpose of navigation.