Seamanship Part 5 - Navigation Bouys

Lateral Buoys

PORT (green can)
Keep this buoy on your port (left) side when proceeding in the upstream direction.

BIFURCATION (red and green bands)
You may pass this buoy on either side when proceeding in the upstream direction, but the main or preferred channel is indicated by the colour of the topmost band. For example: Keep this buoy on your starboard (right) side.

PORT (green pillar)
Keep this buoy on your port (left) side when proceeding in the upstream direction.

PORT (green spar)
Keep this buoy on your port (left) side when proceeding in the upstream direction.

STARBOARD (red spar)
Keep this buoy on your starboard (right) side when proceeding in the upstream direction.

STARBOARD (red pillar)
Keep this buoy on your starboard (right) side when proceeding in the upstream direction.

Isolated Danger

An isolated danger buoy is moored on, or above, an isolated danger that has navigable water all around it. Consult the chart for information concerning the danger, (dimensions, depth, etc.). May be used to mark natural dangers such as small shoals or obstructions such as wrecks.p 

Cardinal Buoys

DESCRIPTION

• Yellow and black
• White – flash characters indicated below (if equipped)
• Two conical topmarks, direction of points have significance
• Black topmark cones point to the black portion(s) of the buoy
• Lettered – no numbers
• White retroreflective material

A cardinal buoy indicates that the safest water exists to the direction it indicates (ex: a north cardinal buoy indicates that the safest water exists to the north)