![]() ![]() Each of these has their own specific use and meaning as follows: In this case, the color that’s highest on the marker indicated the preferred or primary channel.Īnother aid to navigation you may see are called “non lateral” aids to navigation. These mark the junction between two channels. Hence, the old saying “red right returning.” Sometimes you’ll see an aid to navigation that has horizontal bands of both red and green. ![]() So, when you’re heading from the ocean into a bay, or from a bay into a creek, harbor, or port, the red markers belong on your right side.As a general rule of thumb, when you’re heading from open water to inland water, or heading upstream in a river, you’ll want to keep the red markers to your right and the green ones to your left.Most of the markers and buoys you’ll see will be either red or green, and these colors help identify which side you’ll want to pass them on to remain in a channel. So if you see a red one blinking every three seconds, for example, you can look at your chart, find the nearest red marker that blinks at that frequency, and easily identify the marker you’re looking at.Ĭhannel Marker Colors: Understanding Red and Green Markers and Navigation Buoys These frequencies are marked on charts and chartplotters. Those that are lighted will blink at a specific frequency. The bottom line? What’s important to remember is that boaters should treat fixed markers and buoys exactly the same.Īlso remember that some, but not all, markers and buoys will be lighted. But in areas where the bottom composition doesn’t change much over time and the water is shallow enough to drive a piling, a fixed marker (which doesn’t require as much regular maintenance) is often a better option. In other places, channels may shift and change over time, so again, utilizing a buoy (which can be moved and re-anchored at a later date) is the norm. In deep water, it’s difficult to drive a piling, so putting a buoy there makes more sense. Why will you see a mix of fixed channel markers on poles, and floating buoys? Mostly, this is a matter of physical geography. ![]() BuoysĪll the different “road signs” of the water are called “aids to navigation.” These include fixed markers on poles and pilings as well as a variety of floating buoys that are anchored to the bottom. Never fear, new boaters-we’re here to help.īoating Regulatory Zones: What is a 'No Wake' Zone? Channel Markers vs. But for someone who hasn’t spent years on the water, all those red markers and green buoys can be confusing. Well, there may not be any road signs or painted lines out on the water, but fortunately as boaters we have plenty of channel markers, buoys, and aids indicating everything from channels to no wake zones. ![]()
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