A marker that indicates safe water on all sides is colored white with red vertical stripes. This marker, often called a safe water mark or a fairway buoy, signals that there are navigable waters all around it and is typically used to mark the centerline of a channel or the beginning of a channel. This white marker with red vertical stripes is a universal symbol for safe water and may be passed on either side.

In addition to understanding markers that indicates safe water on all sides, you will be expected to answer the following questions on your boating test. Here are some other scenarios you should be aware of  if your studying and interested in boating markers and buoys.

A mooring buoy is a floating device that is used to secure vessels in a specific location on the water. It is typically anchored to the seabed with a heavy weight and is equipped with a strong, durable ring or eyelet at the top, to which boaters can attach their lines. Mooring buoys are easily identifiable by their white color and a blue horizontal stripe. They provide a safe and stable mooring point, making them a great place to secure your boat and eliminating the need for traditional anchoring methods that can disturb the seabed or other boats.

(image provided courtesy of Boat-Ed)

When you enter a harbor and see a buoy with red and white vertical stripes, it indicates safe water all around. You should:

1. Pass the Buoy: You can pass this buoy on any side. It marks the presence of safe navigable waters all around.
2. Stay on Course: Continue on your planned course, using the buoy as a reference point for safe navigation.

Safe water markers are white with red vertical stripes. These markers indicate that there is safe water all around the buoy and can be passed on any side.

(image provided courtesy of Boat-Ed)

If you see a white buoy with a blue band, this type of buoy is a mooring buoy. Knowing mooring buoy colors is a critical first step in passing your boat license exam.

When you see a white buoy with an orange circle and black lettering, you should not pass between the marker and the nearest shore. This type of marker typically indicates an area with specific restrictions or dangers.

If you see a white marker with black vertical stripes, you should avoid passing between the marker and the shore. This marker indicates an obstruction to navigation. It is often used to mark isolated dangers or hazards in the water. Therefore, keep clear of this area to ensure safe navigation.

A white marker with red vertical stripes is typically a regulatory marker. These markers are used to indicate the edges of a navigable channel or fairway. They may also denote areas where boating regulations apply, such as no-wake zones or speed limits. It’s important to follow any local regulations and navigate accordingly when encountering such markers on the water

Mooring buoys are white buoy with a blue band. Here are multiple-choice options for the question:  Which one of the following is designated as a mooring buoy?

A) Red and green horizontally striped buoy
B) Yellow buoy with a blue top
C) White buoy with a blue band
D) White buoy with red vertical stripes

The correct answer is: C) White buoy with a blue band

A mooring buoy typically appears as a white buoy with a blue band.

If you see a white marker with black vertical stripes while boating, you should navigate to the right (starboard) side of it when proceeding in the direction of the water flow. These markers indicate preferred channel markers or mid-channel markers in some regions. Always consult local boating regulations and charts for precise meanings and instructions.

A marker that indicates safe water is typically a white marker with red vertical stripes. These markers are used to indicate the center of a channel, the preferred channel side in junctions, or fairways where the water is deep enough for safe passage of vessels.

The type of buoy that is white with a blue horizontal band and may show a white light is a “Mooring Buoy.” These buoys are typically used to indicate areas where vessels can safely moor or anchor. They are often equipped with a buoyant anchor chain and may have a light to make them more visible at night or in poor visibility conditions.

Non-lateral buoys are navigational markers used to indicate specific information or hazards to boaters that are not related to the sides of a channel or fairway. Unlike lateral markers, which indicate the edges of safe water channels (port and starboard sides), non-lateral buoys serve various purposes:

1. Safe Water Marks: These buoys indicate that there is safe water all around the buoy. They are often white with a red horizontal band on top and may have a single red spherical topmark.
2. Isolated Danger Marks: Used to mark isolated dangers such as a rock, shoal, wreck, or sunken vessel. They are often black with one or more red horizontal bands and may have two black spheres as topmarks.
3. Special Purpose Marks: Includes buoys like mooring buoys (white with a blue horizontal band), which mark areas where boats can moor, and regulatory buoys (white with orange bands or wording) that convey specific rules or regulations.

Each type of non-lateral buoy serves a distinct navigational purpose and helps boaters safely navigate waters by providing critical information about potential hazards, safe areas, or regulatory requirements.

A mooring buoy is typically a white buoy with a blue horizontal band. This color scheme helps distinguish it from other types of buoys that serve different navigational purposes on the water.

One type of marker used to warn boaters not to pass between the marker and the shore is typically colored with black and white vertical stripes. These markers indicate areas where navigation is restricted or where there are hazards close to shore that boaters should avoid.

Understanding Boat Markers, Buoys, and other Navigational Aides you are preparing yourself for you upcoming exam, but also life on the water. Those the color combinations are simple, it takes practice and dedication to become the best captain possible.

For the most comprehensive and up-to-date boat test guides, including essential information on mooring buoy color, look no further than Wavve Boating. We’re committed to providing the best resources to help boaters navigate the waters safely and confidently.

When you’re ready to hit the water, be sure to download the Wavve Boating App for easy-to-use navigation, directions to top boating destinations, and plenty of more tools to help you get the most out of your time on the water.

New to boating? Check out this article on how to drive a boat next!