The Buoyage System

The Buoyage System

In 1983, Canada adopted the buoyage system, or aids to navigation, used internationally. This system includes port hand buoys, starboard hand buoys, cardinal buoys and special buoys.

Aids to Navigation

Aids to navigation are devices (buoys) or systems (collision regulations), that are external to the pleasure craft.  They are provided to help the operator of a pleasure craft determine position and course.  They can additionally warn the operator of dangers or obstructions and advise the operator of the location of the best or preferred route.

Port Hand and Starboard Hand Buoys

Port hand buoys are green and starboard hand buoys are red. They show which side of a channel is safest to travel; accordingly, they mark channels or hazards.  Generally, green buoys must be passed on the left side of a craft heading upstream, i.e., against the current.  Red buoys must be kept on the right side of a craft when proceeding in the upstream direction.  A simple rule is red to the right when returning, or the three “R’s”: red, right, return.

In many places, the direction of the current is determined by consensus or by the tide.  It is important to be thoroughly familiar with the aids to navigation in your region.

Port Hand Buoys Green in colour.  They can be shaped as: cans spars pillars If they do not have a green light they will be flat on top

Starboard Hand Buoys Red in colour.  They can be shaped as: conical spars pillars If they do not have a red light they will be conical on top.

Green port hand buoys

• marks the port (left) side of a channel or the location of a danger and must be kept on the port (left) side of a pleasure craft when proceeding in the upstream direction;
• it is coloured green;
• displays identification letter(s) and odd number(s);
• if it carries a top mark, the top mark is a single green cylinder;
• if it carries a light, the light is green and is a flashing (FI) 4 s or quick flashing (Q) 1 s;
• if the buoy does not carry a light, it has a flat top.

Red starboard hand buoys

• Marks the starboard (right) side of a channel or the location of a danger and must be kept on the starboard (right) side of a pleasure craft when proceeding in the upstream direction;
• is coloured red;
• displays identification letter(s) and even number(s);
• if it carries a top mark, the top mark is a single red cone, pointing upward;
• if it carries a light, the light is red and is a flashing (F1) 4 s or quick flashing (Q) 1 s;
• if the buoy does not carry a light, it has a pointed top.

Bifurcation buoys

• You may pass buoys with red and green bands on either side in the upstream direction.
• The main or preferred channel is shown by the colour of the top band.
• For example, if a red band is on top, you should keep the buoys on your starboard (right) side.

Know that a port hand day beacon is a beacon that

• marks the port (left) side of a channel or the location of a danger during daylight hours
• it must be kept on the port (left) side of a pleasure craft when proceeding upstream;
• it is square with a black or green coloured square centered on a white background with a green reflecting border .. it may display an odd number made of white reflecting material

Know that a starboard hand day beacon is a beacon that

• marks the starboard (right) side of a channel or the location of a danger during daylight hours and must be kept on the starboard (right) side of a pleasure craft when proceeding upstream;
• it is a red coloured triangle centered on a white background with a red reflecting border; and may display an even number made of white reflecting material

Cardinal Buoys

There are four types of cardinal buoys: north, south, west and east.  Cardinal buoys are used to indicate the direction of the safest waters.  A north cardinal buoy indicates that the deepest or safest water exists to the north of the buoy.  The vessel must travel north past the north buoy; in this way, the buoy is between the hazard and the craft.  The same principles apply to all of the cardinal buoys.  For more details on the hazard indicated by the buoy, a nautical chart must be consulted; the buoyage system is therefore used in tandem with nautical charts.

There are two ways to distinguish among cardinal buoys: by colour and by the shape of their conical top marks. The direction of the point indicates the type of cardinal buoy.  Accordingly, the cones on a north cardinal buoy point north, and on a south cardinal buoy, point south.

North Cardinal Buoy

• A north cardinal buoy is located so that the safest water exists to the north of it
• It is coloured black and yellow
• The top half is painted black indicating that it is a north buoy...the lower half is painted yellow
• If this buoy does not carry a light, it will be spar shaped
• If it carries a top mark...they will both point upwards to indicate north

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South Cardinal Buoy

• A south cardinal buoy indicates that the safest water exists to the south of it.
• It is coloured black and yellow
• The black is positioned on the bottom indicating that it is pointing south...the upper portion is painted yellow
• If this buoy does not carry a light, it will be spar shaped
• If it carries a top mark...they will both point downward to indicate south

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East Cardinal Buoy

• An east cardinal buoy is located to indicate that the safest water exists to the east of it
• It is coloured black and yellow
• the black is positioned on the top and the bottom with the yellow portion in the middle to indicate that it is an east buoy
• If this buoy does not carry a light, it shall be spar shaped
• If it carries a top mark...they will point in opposite directions to indicate that it is an east buoy

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West Cardinal Buoy

• A west cardinal buoy is located to indicate that the safest water exists to the west of it.
• It is coloured black and yellow
• The black is positioned in the center to indicate that it is a west buoy...the yellow is positioned top and bottom.
• If this buoy does not carry a light, it shape be spar shaped
• If it carries a top mark...they will point in towards each other to indicate that it is a west buoy

As with any buoy...when encountered you should refer to your Nautical Charts for specific information.