Various pieces of equipment are used in maritime operations. This equipment makes ships travel more safely in bodies of water. Among these, buoys are particularly important. However, many people don’t know much about these devices, and they often ask: What are buoys, and why are they so important?
Answering this question is crucial because buoys are among the most essential devices. Their primary purpose is to mark safe channels in the ocean or rivers for ships and boats. Without them, marine travel wouldn’t be nearly as secure. In this article, I’ll cover everything about buoys, including their history and key advantages.
What Are Buoys?
People often confuse buoys with 마린 펜더. Fenders are different in that they’re designed to absorb the shock when a ship bumps into a dock or another vessel. Buoys, on the other hand, are used as navigational aids.
Buoys are floating markers that stay on the surface of the water. They indicate safer channels for ships and guide them in the right direction. Besides showing channels, buoys also mark safe areas in the water. These floating devices tell ships whether an area is safe. Without buoys, maneuvering ships at sea would be more challenging.
Think of buoys as signboards used in the ocean, rivers, and other bodies of water. Primarily, they serve three main functions: guide, warn, and inform. They guide ships in the right direction, warn of potential dangers, and provide information on safe passage. In water bodies, water can be shallower at some points than others.
Additionally, there may be large rocks that pose a safety hazard to the ship. These buoys in that area alert captains so they can stick to the safe channels and navigate without trouble. Interestingly, buoys aren’t just useful during the day—they’re as effective at night. They have built-in lights that guide sailors after dark, keeping everyone safe.
In the past, buoys were simple and indicated direction only by color. However, modern marine buoys come with advanced features such as GPS, recording, and more. This makes them more helpful in tracking ships and weather. These buoys are made of different materials and are very flexible.
The most common materials used for making buoys are plastic, rubber, and foam. These materials give buoys excellent buoyancy. Wondering how buoys stay in one spot in the water? Well, these floating devices are anchored to the seabed, keeping them fixed in place. These buoys come in different colors, and each color indicates specific instructions for ships.
History of Buoys
Marine buoys have a long history and aren’t the result of an overnight invention. The story of these buoys began many centuries ago, when fishermen used bundles of reeds or wooden casks as simple markers. The purpose of these tied reeds was to indicate areas where they could catch fish easily. In the 16th and 17th centuries, some European harbors began using wooden buoys.
They used wooden buoys with stones attached as anchors. These buoys marked safe passages for incoming ships or vessels entering the harbor. However, these wooden buoys weren’t very durable and tended to break easily. That’s when the concept of metallic buoys emerged, making buoys much more reliable.
In the 18th century, manufacturing began using iron as a major material for these buoys. These buoys became popular during the 1820s–1840s. Why? The reason is that they offer better durability than wooden buoys. These metal buoys remained popular till the 1950s. However, these metallic buoys also faced corrosion issues due to exposure to water.
From the 1950s onward, manufacturers started using rubber, plastics, and foam to make these buoys. These materials were both durable and flexible, which made them suitable for buoys. To this day, these materials are used to make buoys. As I said earlier, the modern buoys are now more advanced. Here is a table showing the evolution of buoys over time:
| Period | Material of Buoys |
| Ancient | A bundle of reeds as a buoy |
| Middle Ages–1700s | Wood with stone anchors |
| 1840s–1850s | Wrought iron buoys |
| 1880s–1960s | Riveted or welded steel buoys |
| 1960s–1970s | Plastic (polyethylene) and foam buoys |
| 1990s–now | Plastic, solar, LED, AIS, GPS |
Types of Buoys
In the previous post, we discussed types of boating buoys. You should check that article in case you’re interested in boating buoys. However, there are many types of buoys used in maritime industries. Each of those buoys has a specific role and meaning for the ships and vessels. Here is the list of some of the most used marine buoys:
- Lateral buoys
- 계류 부표
- Weather buoys
- Safe water buoys
- 내비게이션 부표
- Isolated danger buoys
Each of these buoy types offers its specific use and meaning. For example, the lateral buoys are only used to mark safe channels in the ocean. These buoys are of two colors, red and green, indicating that the ship should remain on the left or right side. On the other hand, mooring buoys are not for helping ships move, but for stopping at specific points.
The captain can secure their ship instead of dropping anchor. They tie their ship to these mooring buoys with mooring chains, and the vessel remains in one place. Similarly, navigation buoys are the opposite of mooring buoys, as they help ships navigate safely. This reduces the risk of ship collisions and smooth traffic flow in the busy harbors.
The weather buoys are also essential for marine operations. Why? Because they let us know the current wind and wave conditions. This way, ships can stay informed about the weather and avoid rough conditions along their routes. Isolated danger buoys mark areas in the water that aren’t safe for ships, either because of shallow water or rocks that could damage them.
Advantages of Marine Buoys
Marine buoys are a valuable addition to the marine industry. The standout feature is that these buoys make marine operations safe. The ships can easily navigate and get safe passage in the ocean. In the section below, we will look at some prominent advantages of buoys.
1- Prevent Accidents by Marking Hazards
As you know, rivers and other bodies of water often have rocks beneath the surface. Right? These rocks can be a real hazard to ships and boats. That’s where these buoys come in—they help vessels steer clear of areas with rocks. For exactly this reason, the Isolated Danger Buoy is really useful, since it warns ships of danger ahead. The presence of these Isolated Danger Buoys means that the particular area isn’t safe for ships.
2- Aid Ships & Vessels in Navigation
The buoys are very useful for smooth ship navigation, especially for large vessels. They help them by showing the navigable channels in the water body. You’ll see these buoys also used in harbor entrances. With them, the ships come to the harbor by following the correct path and stop at the designated area. I consider these navigational buoys very helpful in bad weather, when the ship’s captain’s visibility is minimal.
3- Show Restricted Zones
In the ocean, there are areas where ships, boats, or vessels are not allowed. If they enter these restricted zones, they may face fines for violations. These buoys are typically placed in those restricted areas to warn ships about the boundaries. This helps ensure that ships keep a safe distance from such zones. These buoys are also used in rivers to mark areas where swimming is prohibited. The buoys used for this purpose are bright and vibrant so they can be seen clearly from a distance.
4- Assist Marine Operations
Dropping anchor can be a time-consuming process. So ships don’t prefer this method, especially when they’re taking a short break at sea. In such cases, marine buoys help them moor. In this method, the ships are secured with mooring buoys and don’t drop their anchor. The buoys, attached to the seabed, keep the vessel stable in specific areas. This is very helpful when a ship is near a harbor but cannot dock due to busy schedules. Such ships stay a bit away from the harbor, moored, and wait for their turn to dock.
5- Night Navigation Due to Lights
One of the most prominent advantages of buoys is their help in night navigation. Modern buoys come with lights that illuminate the buoys. The ships and vessels can see these buoys from a distance and navigate safely. The lights of these buoys are so bright that ships can easily know which type of buoy is present ahead of them. This makes life easier for ship captains, as visibility at night is very low. Ships or vessels can prevent accidents by maintaining a safe course and avoiding potential hazards at night.
6- Durable and Low Maintenance
In the past, buoys were made of wood or metal. However, those materials were not strong, particularly the metals, which corroded. However, the modern buoys are made with plastic, rubber, or foam. These materials ensure buoys last longer and perform excellently in the water body. Since these buoys don’t corrode, the regular maintenance of these buoys is very low. The operators just have to take care of their colors, which are key to their functionality.
자주 묻는 질문
What is the difference between a float and a buoy?
The main difference between a float and a buoy is that a buoy aids navigation and ship safety. A float is not a safety device; it simply refers to anything that floats on water, like plastic bottles. A buoy is anchored and stays fixed in one spot, whereas floats can drift freely and aren’t fixed in place.
What is the meaning of buoy?
Buoys are safety devices that float on water and help navigate ships and vessels. Different types of buoys are available, each serving a different function for ships in the ocean or other bodies of water.
How do buoys withstand storms?
Modern buoys are both flexible and strong. So when facing storms, their flexibility helps them withstand harsh winds. Meanwhile, the excellent strength of materials ensures they withstand pressure. The buoys can even survive harsh storms and remain in good shape for years.
결론
In summary, marine buoys are an essential equipment for the maritime sector. They are used in the water body but float on the surface. Their use is to reduce marine accidents and help ships navigate safely through the proper channels.
There are different types of buoys, each with its own unique role. Some buoys are dedicated to safer ship navigation, while others are more like warning devices. The buoys can be any color, size, or shape depending on their type. In this article, I have discussed everything about the buoys and their history.