Buoy Markings & Meanings | Lippert

If you’ve spent any time at all on the water, chances are you’re used to seeing diffrent types of buoys. Considering you’ve landed on this page, it’s probably safe to say you’ve even seen a few buoy markings and thought to yourself (or maybe even out loud) “What does that buoy mean?”. Truth be told, buoys are the language of the seas, communicating vital navigation and safety information. As with learning any new language, discovering unfamiliar communication is far from uncommon. Even if you consider yourself the boss of the boat launch or the legend of the lake, brushing up on buoy markings and their meanings is always a good idea. Read on to uncover all you need to know about buoy markings!

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When it comes to deciphering special-purpose marine buoys, the first thing you need to understand is the meaning behind the four different shapes that appear on the buoy marking labels. Always orange with a white background and sandwiched between two horizontal orange bands, these highly visible shapes universally communicate important cautionary information to boaters. So, what do these individual shapes tell us? Let’s find out!

Beacons that feature an orange circle are known as control buoys. If you happen to cruise past one, you may want to pump the brakes, as these buoy markings indicate an area where boating is restricted. For example, the orange circle could be accompanied by a posted speed limit or the image of a jet ski, indicating that the area is meant for personal watercrafts only. Whatever the case, you must obey the restriction for the safety of everyone on the water.

Perhaps the most serious marker of all, an orange diamond with a cross in the middle, is called a keep-out buoy. The name says it all with this one! Obeying a crossed diamond is critical for everyone in the area. Even if it’s not readily apparent, there’s always a good reason why boating is prohibited in the area. 

Now that you’re well versed in the universal symbolism of buoys, it’s time to dive deeper into the messaging behind buoy markings. While the importance of knowing the different buoy marking shapes can’t be understated, we have only scratched the surface of comprehensive knowledge necessary to prepare for maritime adventures. Here’s where we get into the nitty gritty of boat buoy messaging.

Boaters can easily draw a logical conclusion as to what’s going on when they see a buoy marker labeled “area closed”; the specific area or zone is off-limits to waterway users. By nature, humans are curious creatures. Rather than letting curiosity get the best of you and finding out the hard way why an area closed buoy is posted, here are some common reasons you might see this message.

• Environmental Protection – Indicative of a protected ecological area where human activities are prohibited or limited to preserve sensitive habitats or species.
• Military or Security Zones – The area could be serving as a testing site for military operations, a water rescue or even a police investigation.
• Temporary Hazards – A temporary hazard could be anything from submerged objects and underwater obstructions to extreme weather events that make for treacherous waters.
• Special Events – Popular waterways may close during certain events such as boat races, regattas and water sports competitions. Keeping these areas restricted to participants only is a critical safety measure.

The word “danger,” coupled with a bright orange diamond that we now know is alerting us to a hazard, seems rather ominous. Truthfully, the statement has a lot of ambiguity. When faced with one of these buoy markings, it’s best to heed the warning and adjust your course accordingly. While information on the exact danger lurking below can be found on up-to-date nautical charts, here are a few of the most common reasons:

Commonly seen in controlled-access areas, danger keep out buoy markings are put in place to ensure public safety as well as national security. A number of different scenarios call for this style of buoy warning, some of which are temporary, like a high-profile event, while others, such as power plants and dams, are permanently off limits. Here are some specific examples of where you can expect to see a danger keep out warning:

When you happen upon a buoy labeled danger rocks, it comes as no surprise that submerged rock formations are nearby. However, without the aid of depth sounder equipment, how can you be sure you won’t run into trouble before it’s too late? One way to locate dangerous rocks is by consulting navigational charts provided by local maritime authorities. Another way is to be aware of the common types of areas where dangerous rocks are known to exist. Here are some of those places:

Hazard area buoy markings are another ambiguous warning that can leave boaters with more questions than answers. As the name suggests, these navigational aids are put in place to warn mariners about specific navigational risks in the area that have the potential to cause some serious damage. While it’s important to follow their guidance and navigate with caution for the safety of both boaters and the marine ecosystem, you can never be too informed. Here are some situations in which you may come across a hazard area buoy:

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Idle speed buoy markings are to waterways what speed bumps are to land travel. Commonly seen in areas that benefit from calm waters, idle speed buoys indicate to boaters that they need to slow down and operate at a minimal speed. The goal here is to create the least amount of wake disturbance for safety reasons and to promote an environmentally friendly boating experience. Idle speed buoys can be found in areas such as: 

As you might suspect, no anchorage buoy markings indicate areas where anchoring is prohibited. Picture it: you’ve spent a long, hot day on the boat. You’re not ready to head back to port just yet, but you could use a break. Just when you’ve found what seems like the perfect spot to deploy your anchor and bust out your Anchorshade, you notice one of these buoy markings, dashing your hopes of relaxing in the shade. Ensure this bad dream doesn’t become a reality by being mindful of these situations where no anchorage buoys are sure to be posted:

You’d think a no boats buoy marking would mean exactly that, but that’s not always the case. To understand the exemptions to the rule, you must first take note of why boating is prohibited in the area to begin with. Like we’ve discussed previously, environmental protection areas are often off limits to boaters. Along those same lines, boats may be prohibited to reduce noise disruption in areas that prioritize peace and tranquility. This begs the question: what about kayaks, canoes and other non-motorized vessels? Are they included in the no boats mandate? In some instances, yes, they are all-encompassing. However, because kayaks and canoes create less disturbance and generally have a minimal impact on the environment, they are often exempt from restrictions. It’s always best to clarify with local authorities for the most up-to-date information regarding the waterway in question. Other areas in which we can confidently say there are no exceptions to the rule include the following:

Put in place to protect swimmers from dangerous situations, no swimming buoy markers are not to be taken lightly. Maritime authorities seek to maintain areas of enjoyment for all water activities. If a no swimming sign is posted, it’s for a good reason. Some of which are obvious, like strong currents or hazardous underwater conditions, while one less common reason is as follows:

You may have seen a no trotline buoy marking and wondered what exactly is being prohibited here, especially if you’re not an avid fisherman. Trotlines are a commonly used type of fishing gear comprised of a length of rope with several baited hooks evenly spaced apart. Designed to span large areas of water, trotlines are generally affixed to anchor points on either side of the shore. Trotlines are often banned from areas for the following reasons:

While no boat buoy markings and no watercraft buoys serve a similar purpose of prohibiting entry or operation of vessels in designated areas, there is a distinction between the two. Earlier, we mentioned that no boat buoys may not apply to non-motorized boats such as kayaks or canoes. No watercraft messaging encompasses the whole scope of vessels, regardless of propulsion method. So, if the two buoy markings serve the same purpose for the same reasons, why the distinction? Generally speaking, it all boils down to what local ordinances and waterway management organizations have decided to establish and enforce.  

Typically seen at regattas, racecourse boat buoys are used to mark the boundaries around organized boat races for the safety of race participants as well as bystanders and recreational boaters enjoying a day on the water outside of the event. As the specific location of regattas is subject to change based on tidal concerns and wind direction, even the most prepared boater can stumble upon racecourse buoys. If you find yourself encountering a racecourse buoy while boating, be mindful of your surroundings and respect the boundaries set for the race. More often than not, race officials will be on standby to give instructions and warnings to boaters who unwittingly find themselves in the mix. 

Think of slow mph buoy markings as the school zones of boating. Not as heavily restrictive as the no wake zone buoys we talked about above, typical slow speed zones have a speed limit range of 5 to 15 mph. The reason is less about the damaging effects of wakes and more about ensuring safe navigation in high-traffic areas to reduce the risk of collision. 

We know what you’re thinking, we did in fact cover no-wake zones when discussing idle speed buoy markers. However, buoys that indicate to both slow down and create minimal wake are different than the idle speed buoy markings we covered previously. While they serve a similar purpose, there are a couple nuanced differences between the two.

Swim area designations are put in place to not only indicate specific areas of water where swimming is permitted but also to discourage people from swimming in areas that aren’t designated as such. These areas often have lifeguards stationed there to provide an added layer of safety and surveillance. Boaters and swimmers alike need to respect and follow the boundaries set by swimming area buoys for the safety and enjoyment of all beachgoers. 

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