Official waterway markers may be in the form of a buoy, sign or light, either in the water or on shore
Official waterway markers may be in the form of a buoy, sign or light, either in the water or on shore. They assist the boater by marking channels, denoting unsafe areas, directing traffic, controlling speed, protecting resources and other functions. Official markers are usually placed by the U.S. Coast Guard, state, county or local governmental unit. Private markers of any type may not be placed in the water overnight without a permit from the county sheriff. The illustrations on pages 29-31 show the most common buoys used in Minnesota. Although just buoys are shown here, signs can be substituted in certain areas. As an example, a green square sign is the same as a green buoy and red triangular sign is the same as a red buoy – these are often called “daymarks.”
They can be used to mark each side of a channel, which is common on the Mississippi River below the Twin Cities. A red-white octagonal sign 28 can be used to mark the center of a channel. Regula- tory and informational signs are generally a white rectangle with orange markings and black lettering. If a buoy or sign is lighted, it will usually display the color and flash characteristics noted underneath each buoy on pages 29-31. “Flashing” means not more than 30 flashes per minute. “Quick-flashing” means at least 60 flashes per minute and generally indicates caution or danger. Here are some tips on waterway markers to make boating more enjoyable: Don’t rely entirely on waterway markers, especially buoys. They can move off station due to wind, waves, current, ice or other reasons. Buoys and other waterway markers may not be present outside of the normal boating season. Check locally before heading out. Unless you are very familiar with that body of water, avoid travel on lakes and rivers during the hours of darkness. Use care on observing white flashing lights since their meaning depends on that of the waterway marker. Red and green channel markers may be numbered: green – odd and red – even. Size specifications for buoys.
For all buoys except mooring buoys, the minimum height above water is 36 inches and the minimum diameter is 9 inches. For mooring buoys the maximum size is 24 inches in diameter, if spherical, or a maximum of 24 inches wide if some other shape. Mooring buoys must extend at least 8 inches above the water. 29 BOATING CHANNEL LIES BETWEEN THESE BUOYS RED flashing red GREEN flashing green Channel Marker Buoys All-green and all-red companion buoys indicate that the boating channel is between them. In flowing water, the red buoy is on the right side of the channel when facing upstream.
